Sometimes the hardest part of the change is getting started.
With access to so much great information, these days you can easily be hit with overwhelm paralysis.
Well, it doesnโt have to be that way. It doesnโt have to be hard.
Taking that very first step and adding as you go, is what I recommend. Any small step is still moving forward, even if itโs the tiniest shift.
I feel that by changing things slowly, it not only helps keep overwhelm at bay but it also gives permanent lifestyle changes a better chance.
We want this to stick, right?
So here are some simple changes that can have a high impact on your daily life and most are so easy it really takes very little thought.
Ready to shape up your life? Letโs get going.
1. Drink more water
This one is a no-brainer but there are studies saying most of us run on dehydration. Not cool. It takes water to keep our bodies running properly. It is said that our body is more than 70% water and the brain is approximately 85%. If you are feeling low energy, foggy or low focus, try upping your intake and see how much better you feel.
2. Exercise
I know, I know, you hear that all the time but it doesnโt have to be a huge workout. You donโt have to lift weights or get on the treadmill for hours. You just need to get moving. Youโve heard the saying if you donโt use it you lose it. Get off the couch and take a quick 20 minute walk every day. And if you can fit 2 of those in youโre doing great. It all adds up!
3. Laugh More
This is not an option. You need to find ways to bring laughter into your life. This action heals. It heals in a big way! Go out with a friend that you KNOW makes your heart sing. I used to hang out with one friend in particular, that I knew would make my stomach muscles sore for a few days. Thanks Katie!
4. Gratitude
This is one of my favorites. Gratitude can put your whole life back on track. It makes you see things from a place of being blessed instead of lack. Be grateful for even the smallest things like your morning coffee, being able to take walks, or seeing a beautiful sunset. Many donโt have those simple pleasures. Make it a game and find as many things as you can that you are grateful for at the end of each day.
5. Sleep
Getting enough good quality sleep, at least 8 hours, helps keep you young. Did you know that during that sleep is when your body makes HGH or Human Growth Hormones? Up to 70-80% is made while sleeping. Those hormones are so important to keeping your health at optimal levels. And it’s another great reason for that much deserved rest.
6. Donโt eat after 7
This simple trick will help keep your weight down. Enough said.
7. Breath Deeper
This does everything from improving cellular regeneration, digestion and tension, to reducing pain and strengthening the immune system. All in a practice of good deep breathing.
8. Grounding
Or Earthing as some call it. I know this may be a new concept for some of you but there are a lot of benefits that are found in this. It has been shown to have a great antioxidant effect that can protect your body from inflammation. I even went so far as buying a grounding pad since I live where there is snow 7-8 months out of the year. I would google about it to read more. Itโs amazing.
9. Meditate or Something Similar
Here is another great stress reducer. Meditation relaxes your whole body, mind and spirit. There are many other techniques that work well too. I use a technique called The Healing Codes because I feel it gives added benefits. It reduces stress, clears limiting beliefs and changes old negative programming as well. Plus itโs easier for me because you can actually think about good memories or images, You donโt have to have a completely still mind. Sometimes life just wonโt let your mind be quiet enough for meditation and The Healing Codes work regardless of that.
10. Find your passion and LIVE it!
Those are the things that make you feel excited in life and spur you to do more. Donโt wait for the weekends to add them, do a little each day. Youโll be amazed at how your attitude perks up.
11. More Greensโฆ
Thatโs an easy one.Make the choice to add these to a couple of your meals every day. You donโt need to plan a special diet, just add them. Itโs that simple ๐
12. Worry Less
Sometimes it’s easier said than done but so worth it when you change your worry mindset. Worry is a useless emotion and it seems to only bring more worry and anxiety. It is saidย 80-90ย percent of what you fear will happen never really comes into reality. That is a lot of stress for nothing.ย Itโs important to get a handle on this one.
13. Focus on the positive
There is a reason affirmations are so popular these days. Being positive lifts your spirit helps reduce stress and makes you feel more secure in life. Like gratitude, this is easy to add if you just look for the smallest gifts in your life.
14. Let Go
This can be one of the most beneficial acts you can do for yourself and one of the hardest to actually implement. Letting go of the things you have no control over will lift a huge amount of weight off your shoulders. Just try it and see. This oneโs a 5 star.
15. Live in the Moment
Being present or mindful are common Buzz words these days. It just means to give up replaying the past and fretting over the future. You are here right now, today is a gift. We donโt know if weโll have tomorrow and we certainly donโt have yesterday. So taking more time every day to appreciate even the smallest things can have a big impact on your quality of life.
I am always looking for the most effective and easiest ways to improve your life. If you have some suggestions you would like to add please leave them in the comments below. We would all love to find more ways to a happier more fulfilled life.
You’ve really covered all the bases with this article, Melissa. I love all your ideas and try to do most of them everyday. One that I would add would be journaling. It has helped be let go of my feelings and have more clarity. Thanks for a great post!
I don’t know how I missed this comment Cathy ๐ Sorry for the delay.
I LOVE journaling as well. It helps me really SEE where my thoughts and emotions are coming from.
Thanks for stopping by!
How funny Melissa – once again we’re on the same page. I used this very quote on G+ earlier today and now I see you have it too!
To answer your question, I have learned that the only way to improve life is to learn new ways of being, such as the ones you speak of, and then practice, practice, practice. ๐
You are kidding Elle! So funny. Great minds you know-lol!
I agree practice and more practice. It helps to not have to think about it all the time. Once it’s on auto pilot it is so much easier ๐
Thanks for being here girl!
Love this post. Good reminds on all points. It speaks to exactly where I am right now. I even wrote a list like this in my journal last night with the same exact items; was missing Live in The Moment and Let it Go so thank you… I’ve got them on the list now! ๐ Good to know I’m focusing on the right things even when it feels like such slow progress. ๐
(And speaking of Gratitude… I count you in, always! Your help has been AMAZING for me.)
You are so sweet Kimberlee!
I am so glad you found an few extra nuggets to add to your list. I do the same thing and find such great advice out there. When we start searching we can find some amazing things.
btw I am grateful to have gotten to know YOU! You are a very special lady on all counts!
Hi Melissa; thanks for your list! I didn’t know grounding and I’m curious about that.
The only things that I really think have helped me are: facing social situations despite my worries and phobias, and an exercise I’d call “worst fantasy”, consisting on imaging the worst thing that could happen to you (wrt your worry) for 15 minutes a day. This is like giving an appointment to your worry, so that you can avoid thinking about it the rest of the time. Most importantly, it makes your feelings toward it different (it becomes boring and ridiculous, rather than worrying). However, I acknowledge that maybe it works for me because I find it very hard to relax (meditation and similar, like yoga and reiki, can make sleep, but when I wake up I am anxious as ever…), so maybe it’s not fit for everyone…
Federico
Federico
Thanks Federico,
That technique sounds like one I used years ago Cognitive therapy but it was more to help calm you down knowing that the worst was probably not all that bad. At least hopefully it’s not ๐
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, I appreciate it!
Yes, it was within a cognitive behavioural therapy. Thanks for always caring about what everyone says.
Federico
Hey Melissa,
All of your 15 are rock solid. I feel a kinship with all of them but right now, in this teeny moment, #14 rings my bell. Let go. Two tiny words with a total of five letters that hold so much power. Really, really working on this one.
Thank you for your presence in the ether!
Hi Beth!
I love seeing you here. YES those 2 tiny words can really cause havoc in our lives can’t they? Ughhhhh. It does get easier with time Thank God! I used to hold onto everything and if I can let go, anyone can ๐
Thanks for being here and being YOU!
Hi Melissa! Thanks for the reminders of all these great ways to lead a happier life. Have you ever heard of the Lift app? I use it to make sure I do some of these habits everyday. The ones that really help me are:
1. Saying positive affirmations every morning.
2. Meditating.
3. Visualizing my life as I want it to be – but visualizing it NOW
4. Reading and learning something new everyday.
Thanks again for the post! Have a great weekend!
Hi Daniela,
That sounds like a great app. I’ll check it out. I do like to keep track of what I am working on and how much of it has gotten better etc. Right up my alley. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see more of you!
I hope you have a great weekend planned.
Hi Melissa,
Great list of tips here. Donโt eat after 7 is a good one for me. I’m normally finished eating earlier than that, but sometimes get the urging for a snack and need to knock that off. Meditation has helped me a lot, as well as exercise. Thanks for a great reminder!!
That’s a tough one for me ๐ love those snacks. I have cut it waayyyyy back though and it does get easier with time.
Thanks so much for being here.
My favorite is “do less be more.” We’re human BEings not human DOings ๐ Also…the sleep thing. Yup! Couldn’t agree more!
Yes I feel the same way. Especially here in the US. We have to do do do. Let’s just ‘BE’ for a change. So nice.
Thanks for the comment. I must have missed these the first go around sorry ๐
These are some great tips Melissa. I don’t have to worry about the dehydration one too much because I am OCD about it. If I see my urine become yellow, I have a compulsion to drink more water, so I am saved from that issue hehe. Exercise is always fantastic. If I don’t exercise for a couple of days, my mood tanks. Now I need to get to the gym today : D.
I hear you Sebastian,
If I don’t exercise I get so growly. It really helps reduce my stress load as well as just overall balance. I wish more people would realize it’s not just to keep fit (which is important as well).
I still struggle with the water thing but do try to gauge it that way as well ๐
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment I appreciate it!