Thirty-Day Challenges for the Mind, Body, Spirit, and School

Change Your Behavior

Participating in a Thirty-Day Challenge has numerous benefits. One of the benefits is that they can lead to lasting behavior change. Research shows that it takes approximately 21-66 days to form a new habit, with an average of around 66 days (Lally et al., 2010). By committing to a thirty-day challenge, you can work towards forming a new habit that you can continue after the challenge has ended.

Improve Self Esteem and Confidence

Thirty-day challenges improve self-esteem and confidence. Completing a thirty-day challenge provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem (Emmons & Sheldon, 2003). The sense of accomplishment can also lead to increased confidence in your ability to achieve goals, which can carry over into other areas of life. You can build positive momentum.

Improved Well-Being

Thirty-day challenges can improve overall well-being. Engaging in activities that promote well-being, such as exercise or mindfulness practices, can lead to improved physical and mental health (Omidi et al., 2018; Burke et al., 2011). These challenges might also take your mind off of other stressors in your life.

Have Some Fun

Finally, picking the right Thirty-Day Challenge can lead to some good old-fashioned fun. Tell a Dad joke for thirty days in a row. Try a new food. Spend ten minutes de-cluttering. The possibilities are endless.

Here are some Thirty-Day Challenge ideas for your mind, body, and spirit. You'll also find a free challenge tracker in the link below.

Are You Ready for a Thirty-Day Challenge

Try something new for thirty days.

WHY EDIFYJeremy Jorgensen

Thirty-Day Challenges for the Mind, Body, and Spirit

1. Give up processed sugar
2. Wake up at 5 am
3. Do 100 push-ups and sit-ups
4. Only eat plant-based foods
5. Read for enjoyment for a certain amount of time
6. Write in a journal
7. Take a cold shower
8. Meditate for 20 minutes
9. Learn a new language
10. Run or jog for 30 minutes
11. Take a photo every day
12. Go to bed by 10 pm every day or earlier
13. Practice yoga
14. Drink only water
15. Cook all your meals
16. No social media
17. Declutter your living space
18. Go for a walk
19. Do a random act of kindness
20. No alcohol
21. Take a daily multivitamin
22. Try a new workout every day
23. Go vegetarian for 30 days
24. Learn to play a musical instrument
25. Take public transportation or bike instead of driving
26. Go to a new place every day
27. Try a new food every day
28. Don't complain for 30 days
29. Take a digital detox
30. Try a new hobby
31. Stop using plastic for 30 days
32. Go to a new restaurant every day
33. Listen to a new album every day
34. Take a 30-day social media fast
35. Try a new recipe every day
36. Take a 30-day shopping ban
37. Walk somewhere new
38. Try a new type of cuisine every day
39. Take a 30-day no-TV challenge
40. Go for a swim every day
41. Try a new form of exercise every day
42. Take a 30-day no-car challenge
43. Learn a new skill over thirty days
44. Take a 30-day no-coffee challenge
45. Go for a bike ride every day
46. Take a 30-day no-meat challenge
47. Create a playlist adding one song per day
48. Take a picture every day
49. Write a haiku daily for 30 days
50. Watch a Ted Talk every day

Thirty-Day Challenges for Teachers

1. Record a “Teacher Win”
2. Compliment a different student each day
3. Write a thank you note to a colleague or student
4. Read a professional development book
5. Keep a clean desk
6. Research and implement a new teaching strategy over thirty days
7. Take ten minutes to reflect after each day
8. Tell a joke each day in class
9. Play relaxing music in the classroom
10. Write a six-word memoir
11. Bring a healthy lunch
12. Drink a certain amount of water each school day
13. Spend a set amount of time journaling at the end of the day
14. Do a 30-day book study on your own or with colleagues
15. Complete a self-care challenge where you practice some form of self-care each day
16. Learn something new with your students each day
17. Organize something in your room each day (something small)
18. Make a list of thirty classroom to-do items and complete one task each day
19. Find/create a source of affirmations that you read each day
20. Complete a random act of kindness each day at school

Best of luck to you on your Thirty-Day Challenge adventure.

References:

• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.
• Emmons, R. A., & Sheldon, K. M. (2003). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 129(6), 803-855.
• Omidi, A., Asghari, G., Sotoudeh, G., & Zare, Z. (2018). The effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise on psychological well-being in healthy men: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of sport and health science, 7(2), 97-104.
• Burke, L. A., Ark, T., & Jeste, D. V. (2011). The benefits of mindfulness for older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(11), 1126-1135.