Life is complicated. It is busy. It is full of responsibilities. Often, you keep doing the same thing every day because it is what you have always done. Fortunately, you have agency and can make new choices and habits to approach your life the way you want to. Make your life better than yesterday by changing the decisions you make. Here are some small steps you can take to start.
Up Your Fluid Intake
Drinking water is important for your entire body. It helps you process food and think more clearly. It quenches your thirst on a hot day or after a great workout session. Drinking water is also not something that you always do, even though you know you should. Start upping your intake by looking for high-quality water. Look at the pH levels for bottled water to help inform you on what is in it and where it is from. After you find the right water for you, add more healthy liquids into your diet in the form of watermelon, leafy greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes, to name only some of the foods that contain water.
Think Before Posting and Commenting
There is a lot going on in the world right now. If you find yourself contributing to the mass of negativity or misinformation, perhaps it is time to take a different approach to how you live your life in the digital realm. Before you share or repost something, take a moment. Take a breath. Think about why you would push that content further into the world. Consider how it will affect others. And then ask yourself if the comment or information will make the world a better place, help someone, or cause more conflict and harm.
Unsubscribe and Unfollow
When you wake up in the morning and inevitably reach for your phone, do you feel good about what you see in your social media feeds and inbox? If not, ask yourself why. Perhaps there are too many promotional emails that are clogging it all up. Maybe you followed someone or something because you thought you should, and you do not even like the content, or your views have changed. Just because you have done something in the past does not mean you need to continue. Go ahead and unsubscribe from those emails. It will take you a few minutes to do, but it will be worth it. Remember to delete the emails after you hit unsubscribe. Next, do the same for your social media accounts. You will feel better and have more free time tomorrow morning.
Take it Outside
You can reset your entire mood by stepping outside. If you have access to nature, this should be your first choice. Take a walk through your neighborhood under the shade of the big green trees, or drive over to a local park and eat lunch on a bench while observing the natural world around you. Soak in the sunshine and enjoy the feeling of the warmth on your skin. Breathe in the fresh air and feel it fill your lungs before intentionally exhaling. Being outside helps foster feelings of positivity and well-being that can help carry you through your day.
Plan Your Meals
You have to eat, and you want your food to be nutritious and taste great. Unless you have an endless budget for takeout or an in-house chef, you need to figure out how you are going to put food on the table or into lunch bags at least three times each day, not including the always essential snack. Instead of buying too many pre-made meals that are unhealthy or running through the drive-thru on your way home each day, it is time to begin planning your meals. Start by finding recipes for foods that you will actually enjoy and that are generally healthy. Next, make a grocery list and either go shopping or have it all delivered. From there, begin prepping the meals for the week, ideally on a Sunday. Clean and cut as much as you can, and divide it as needed. Make a plan for cooking the meals each day with the knowledge of how much time it will take. When you do a little meal prep each week, you will save time, eat a better diet, and set yourself up for success in the kitchen.
Prepare for the Next Day
Continuing with the topic of preparation, if you are not preparing your clothing the night before, you are missing out. Taking 10 to 15 minutes at the end of each day to get your clothing, accessories, shoes, bag, and anything else you need ready for the next morning is a significant time-saver. You will no longer feel stressed or pressured to find the right outfit, and you will also save time. You can make the process a part of your bedtime ritual. Try on the clothing you want to wear to ensure it still fits and does not need any mending. Mix and match different pieces and learn what works when you have time to play around.
Catch Up with Someone You Love
The simple act of reaching out to someone you hold dear is beneficial for both of you. You get a chance to catch up and connect with that person, and they feel wanted and a powerful sense of belonging. People get lonely even though the world is busy. It is far too easy to let time pass and miss out on knowing and loving the people you care about. The next time you are driving home from work, put your phone on speaker and make a call to your friend or family member. You will be amazed at how quickly you fall into your old, comfortable patterns with one another. Staying connected with friends and family members will help you fend off loneliness and maintain strong ties with the important people in your life.
Instead of waiting for something else or something big to make your life better, you can decide to take action for yourself. Pay attention to the small choices you make every day, and make changes that will benefit your well-being.
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