6 Easy Habit Stacks to Try
Tips for building healthier habits
When it comes to building healthier routines, most of us don’t need more willpower—we need better systems. Enter habit stacking: a powerful strategy for creating sustainable change without overhauling your life.
Coined by author James Clear in Atomic Habits, habit stacking is the practice of pairing a new habit with an existing one. The logic? Your brain already knows when and how to complete the original habit, so you're simply attaching something new to the routine you're already doing.
Think of it as the ultimate “while you’re at it” life hack.
Why Habit Stacking Works
Leverages momentum: You’re piggybacking on a habit that’s already second nature.
Reduces decision fatigue: No need to figure out when or how—your existing habit becomes the anchor.
Makes new habits stickier: Tying new actions to familiar cues helps your brain form quicker connections.
Builds trust with yourself: Small wins add up and build belief in your ability to follow through.
6 Habit Stacks to Try
After Making Your Bed → Stretch for 5 Minutes
Making your bed gives you an immediate win and a sense of order—pairing it with a quick stretch helps you carry that momentum into your body.
Why it works: Stretching improves circulation, eases stiffness from sleep, and mentally prepares you to take on the day with more energy and intention. Plus, a tidy room + a more relaxed body = a calmer mind.
For Short Trips → Ride Your Bike
Biking for short trips effortlessly integrates physical activity and provides much-needed Vitamin D.
Why it works: It boosts your fitness and mood without the need for a full workout. Plus, cycling supports cardiovascular health and helps reduce your carbon footprint.
When You Open Your Laptop → Take Three Deep Breaths
Before you dive into Slack, Zoom, or the email vortex, take a moment to center yourself.
Why it works: It builds mindfulness into your workflow and keeps stress from becoming your default setting.
After You Log Off Work → Go for a 10-Minute Walk
Let your walk signal the end of your workday. No emails, no calls—just you, moving.
Why it works: It creates a mental buffer between work and personal time, helping you decompress from the day, reduce stress, and prevent burnout.
After Dinner → Prep One Thing for Tomorrow
This could be laying out gym clothes, preparing breakfast, or tidying your space for a clutter-free morning.
Why it works: It reduces friction in the morning and helps future you start strong.
When You Get in Bed → Write Down 3 Things You Need to Do the Next Day
Instead of scrolling through your phone or overthinking as you lie down, use this time to set yourself up for tomorrow.
Why it works: Writing down the three most important things for tomorrow clears mental clutter, helps you sleep better, and ensures you wake up focused and ready.
Tips to Make Habit Stacking Work for You
Be specific: Clearly define both the trigger habit and the new habit.
Start small: Focus on consistency over intensity. You can always build from there.
Celebrate the action: Acknowledge your success with a "hell yeah, I did it!" to reinforce the habit loop.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to radically reinvent your routine. You just need to reimagine the in-between moments—the transitions, the autopilot actions, the everyday stuff.
That’s where habit stacking shines. It turns the ordinary into opportunity.
So next time you brush your teeth, make a smoothie, or close your laptop—ask yourself: What habit could I sneak in here that supports who I’m becoming?