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| Source: Slikhaarshop |
You don’t need to
make a resolution to improve your life, as there are many simple changes
you can make at any time. To be happy and healthy does not require a lot of
money or time – just a little desire and motivation
If you’re trying
to lead a happier, healthier life, making the necessary changes is up to you.
Start with the items on this list that appeal the most to you, and work some of
the others into your life a little at a time. Keep a notebook and write about which
changes you made and how they worked for you – following the example set by the
author of “The Happiness Project.” When you get discouraged, read back over
your entries to remind yourself of all you have accomplished.
1. Be Giving
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| Source: Engage - Momentum |
Find ways even if they are small, to give to others. Stop to talk
with someone and lend an ear, offer to assist a friend in need, or volunteer at
a local charity. You will begin to view your own problems with a new
perspective, and you will feel better about yourself by realizing that you can
make a difference in the lives of others.
2. Declutter Your Home and Your Mind
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| Source: Helen Sanderson |
Find a way to do a little decluttering every day. Declutter your
bedroom for a more comfortable, relaxing place to sleep, and clean your desk or
bill paying area for better financial peace of mind. Declutter your closet and
your dresser drawers to make the mornings easier. There are plenty of places in
your house Set aside 15 minutes a day for decluttering, and remember, the most
difficult step is getting started. You will be amazed at how great you’ll begin
to feel as your life becomes less cluttered.
3. Explore Your Spirituality
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| Source: Pinterest |
Would you call yourself spiritual? Going to church or mosque,
for example, is a way to increase the social interactions in your life. It
provides many affordable activities for families, and serves as a network for
support and assistance in a crisis. It can also be a good place to make
contacts when you are looking for a job.
4. Get Some Sun
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| Source: Daily Mail |
Many people have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as they
become depressed during months with little sunshine. Even if you aren’t
afflicted with SAD, you can be affected by lack of sunshine. Go outside for at
least 15 minutes; on a cold day you can walk briskly and at least get some sun
on your face. The sun helps your body produce vitamin D, which many people have
a deficiency of.
5. Relax for at Least an Hour Before Bedtime
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| Source: SleepHearty |
To really relax, shut down the Internet at least an hour before
bed. And don’t exercise just before bedtime, as that increases your
circulation. You need to clear your mind, so watch television or read a book or
magazine to wind down. Some people think a shower wakes you up, so consider
switching your shower to the morning and take a relaxing bath instead.
6. Monitor Your Caffeine Intake
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| Source: Stepford Sisters |
If you have difficulty sleeping, caffeine could be the culprit.
Try cutting back on caffeinated drinks, and limit yourself to drinking them
early in the day. And if that doesn’t help, try cutting out caffeine altogether
and substituting caffeinated beverages with products such as decaf coffee or
herbal tea. Remember, many sodas and energy drinks contain caffeine, as do many
energy bars and foods with chocolate.
7. Dig in the Dirt
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| Source: Country Living (UK) |
Get your hands dirty. Whether landscaping or starting a home
vegetable garden, it doesn’t matter – it may make you feel happier. This
strange effect comes from M. vaccae, microscopic organisms in the soil that get
onto your skin. They can trigger the brain to produce more seratonin, a
neurotransmitter which can help improve mood.
When people tell you they are never happier than when they are
digging in the dirt, they are telling you the truth. So put the gardening
gloves away and start moving dirt around.
8. Take a Walk in the Wild
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| Source: Time and Date |
A park is fine, but the less manicured and the more “natural”
the area the better. Pay attention to the sounds, sights, and smells. Find five
things that are unusual enough to tell someone about, and take photos or
videos. Even if you are in the city, take the time to look up and notice how
the sky looks that day.
9. Meet with Friends
Try to see your friends on a regular basis as it fits your
schedule. If you are single or a couple, you might like a weekly get-together
to watch football or a favorite TV show, while people with families might
prefer a monthly dinner club. The important thing is that you have strong
friendships to help buffer life’s challenges.
Nourish a Network of Friends Just like a loving relationship,
friendship takes nurturing. Neglect a friendship and you will lose a friend.
10. Go Play
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| Source: Cincinnati |
Play with your family and friends. Have a water gun fight, run a
race for fun, blow bubbles, throw a Frisbee, go sledding, skip rope, or make
mud pies. Have a family game night and play board games that make you laugh, or
play tug-of-war with the dog. Whatever it is that makes you smile
spontaneously, do it.
11. Blow Off a Little Steam Occasionally
Whether it’s cheering for your team or getting crazy during a
holiday, it helps to let loose for a little while on a regular basis. In the
Middle Ages in Europe, holidays (literally “holy days,” honoring a saint)
served as days for peasants to vent their frustrations, thereby preventing
revolts.
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| Source: Dreamstime |
12. Avoid Trans Fats
Research cited by Consumer Reports shows that eating foods
containing trans fats can make you feel depressed. Trans fats are used in many
processed foods, but you have to read the food labels to be sure.
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| Source: Fight Fat With Fat |
13. Move More
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| Source: CalorieBee |
Sitting all day is unhealthy for both the mind and the body. Get
up and walk around every waking hour for at least a couple of minutes, and take
a walk everyday during your lunch hour.
When you elevate your fitness level, add jogging to your walking
routine. Jogging causes endorphins to be released, which gives you a natural
“runner’s high.”
14. Try New Recipes
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| Source: Reader's Digest |
Once a week, try a new recipe using a super-food to find new
favorites to add to your meal planning rotation. For example, you can try preparing
foods such as salmon, kale, mushrooms, broccoli, avocados, beans, walnuts,
and whole grains.
15. Eat More “Super-foods”
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| Source: Coco Ruby Skin & Anti-Ageing |
Plan to include more vitamin-packed super-foods in your diet.
These foods not only keep you healthier and more energetic, but many of
them may also combat stress.
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