Add More Time to Your Day with Habit Stacking

I used to think I needed more hours in the day. What I actually needed was a smarter way to use the ones I had.

If you caught my latest video, you saw me in a red light mask, squatting on a vibration plate, with The Mindset Mentor playing on YouTube. It might look a little ridiculous. But in 10 minutes, I checked off four things that used to eat up an hour or more of my week.

That's habit stacking, and it has quietly given me back more time than any planner ever did.

What Is Habit Stacking?

Habit stacking means pairing a new habit with something you already do, or layering several habits into the same block of time. The term was popularized by author S.J. Scott and later by James Clear in Atomic Habits. The basic formula is simple: "After (or while) I do X, I will do Y."

It works because you stop relying on willpower and memory. The habit you already have becomes the cue for the one you're building. You're not hunting for a free hour; you're borrowing time from something that was going to happen anyway.

For women in this season of life, that matters. Most of us are juggling business, family, aging parents, grown kids, and our own reinvention. Self-care tends to be the first thing that gets cut. Stacking keeps it from falling off the list, because it's no longer a separate appointment you have to protect.

My 10-Minute Stack

Here's what I'm doing in that video, and why each piece earns its spot.

1. Red Light Therapy Mask

Red light therapy has become one of my favorite skin rituals. Many women use it to support smoother, more radiant looking skin, and research on red light for skin appearance has been growing. The catch is consistency: it only helps if you actually wear it. Strapping it on during a workout means I never skip it.

The mask I use: Red light mask on Amazon

2. Vibration Plate

A vibration plate turns ordinary movement into something more challenging without adding impact on your joints. I love that it makes a few minutes of squats feel like real work, and honestly, it's fun. It's an easy way to add movement to a day that's mostly spent at a desk or behind a camera.

The plate I use: Vibration plate on Amazon

3. Squats

Squats are one of the most practical moves you can do. They build the leg and glute strength you use every time you get out of a chair, climb stairs, or pick up a grandbaby. After 40, holding onto that strength becomes a priority, not a bonus.

4. The Mindset Mentor

While my body is working, I'm feeding my mind. Rob Dial's The Mindset Mentor is one of my go-to shows for perspective, motivation, and practical tools for thinking bigger. It's free on YouTube and wherever you get podcasts. Ten minutes of good input can set the tone for the whole day.

Build Your Own Stack

You don't need my exact setup. Start with one thing you already do every day, then attach one small habit to it.

• Morning coffee + five minutes of journaling

• Drying your hair + a podcast or audiobook

• Waiting on dinner + calf raises or a quick stretch

• Evening skincare + a gratitude list

Once one pairing feels automatic, add another layer. That's how a 10-minute window turns into a full self-care routine without stealing time from anything else.

I'd love to hear what you're stacking. Drop it in the comments, and if you try mine, tag me so I can cheer you on.

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