Habit Stacking 101: The Small Daily Rituals That Change Everything
Why willpower isn’t the answer
Most people think change requires massive effort. Join the 5am club, run a marathon, meditate for an hour, learn Japanese. Then we burn out before Tuesday feeling like a failure.
The truth? Your brain loves shortcuts. And “habit stacking” is one of the cleverest ways to hack that wiring - because it builds on what you already do.
What is habit stacking?
More than just a TikTok trend... The term was made famous by James Clear in Atomic Habits:
You take something you already do automatically (like making coffee or brushing your teeth) and “stack” a new mini-habit onto it.
Example:
- After I brush my teeth → I’ll take three deep breaths.
- After I boil the kettle → I’ll drink a glass of water.
- After I open my laptop → I’ll stretch my shoulders.
The magic is in the pairing. Your brain links the new behaviour to an existing cue, so it feels effortless.
Why it works for wellness
Most wellness routines fail on logistics, not motivation.
You don’t need a perfect morning - you need tiny, repeatable moments that add up.
A minute of calm here, a better choice there, and suddenly your nervous system starts believing life is manageable again, not at the end of the next Tough Mudder challenge.
How to stack habits with Catalyse Life Drinks
You already hydrate (hopefully). You already take short breaks. Now we make those moments intentional and a little more beautiful.
MAYI - The Energy Blend
Stack it with: your first task of the day.
Instead of another coffee, crack open Mayi as your “start signal.”
You’ll hydrate and support focus before the caffeine crash lands.
CORAL - The Immunity Blend
Stack it with: lunch or your midday scroll break.
The moment you pick up your phone, grab Coral too.
Bright, refreshing, and quietly working on your immune system while you answer DMs.
MIZU - The Beauty Blend
Stack it with: skincare or shower time.
Keep a chilled can by the mirror.
It becomes your inside-out beauty ritual - your cleansing companion.
ACQUA - The Relaxation Blend
Stack it with: your evening wind-down.
After you light the candle or close your laptop, sip Acqua slowly.
It signals the day is done, so your nervous system doesn’t have to guess.
Small, sensory anchors that build consistency —-no effort, no guilt.
The golden rule: start really, really small
Your brain doesn’t trust big promises. Tell it, “I’ll drink four cans of water a day and journal for an hour,” and it politely declines and reopens instagram.
But say, “I’ll open one can of Coral at lunch,” and it goes, “Alright, that’s doable.”
Tiny actions compound. Within weeks, they become identity. You’re not “trying to be healthy” - you’re simply the kind of person who hydrates beautifully.
Five quick ideas to build your stack
-
Stack calm onto caffeine.
Coffee → water → Acqua mid-morning. -
Stack gratitude onto skincare.
One nice thought while applying serum. -
Stack movement onto meetings.
Every calendar reminder = stand and stretch. -
Stack hydration onto habit.
Open a new can each time you change task. -
Stack softness onto sleep.
Sip, stretch, no scroll -signal complete.
Habit stacking isn’t about perfection
This is the best part, if we try to be perfect and fail, we feel worse. It’s about creating a life that flows easily. When good choices are so easy, you barely notice you’re doing them.
So this week, don’t overhaul your routine. Just pick one existing habit, and add one Catalyse moment beside it. Before long, your day will start running on calm chemistry, not chaos.
Discover your blend → Shop the range
If you liked this, why not check out 'Why Hydration Alone Isn't Enough'
That's all for now, I hope this helps!
Love Eirian x