Improving your life doesn’t have to be about making one big gesture. Instead, it’s something you can daily work on—and it typically comes down to the small things you do every day.
1 Practice Mindfulness
Take 10 minutes to give yourself a mental boost by reminding yourself of all you have to be grateful for. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present moment. It’s the ultimate state of awareness. Mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts and feelings. Not judging them, just observing them. Being able to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life can help reduce stress levels, help manage depression and anxiety, and allow you to focus on your current experience rather than dwelling on the past.
2. Read Everyday
I love to read, and it’s always been something I’ve spent a lot of my free time on. For me, reading is a great way to unwind and relax. I love reading both fiction and nonfiction books, so I get a great combination of entertainment and education from books! Not only is reading just genuinely fun, but it also expands your vocabulary and makes you a better writer, which is something that could definitely come in handy in your career!
3. Move your body everyday
Exercise is so incredibly important. Even if you aren’t going after any fitness goals right now, physical activity is essential for long-term health Plus, you’ll feel so much better about yourself every day! I know that I have so much more energy and am just generally happier when I’m making time to move my body every day. It doesn’t have to be an intense workout. Just a leisurely walk will do!
4. Pick Up a New Hobby
When feeling overwhelmed, I find that picking up a new hobby to focus on is a great way to unwind and clear my head! It doesn’t have to be something you’re good at, and you don’t have to share it with the world. Just make it something that is genuinely fun for you.
5. Join a Community
Being a part of a community can impact your life in so many ways, some that you might not even expect. You never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities might arise from it! Joining a community is a great way to make new friends, and maybe even open up future career opportunities.
6. Make Your Lunch (and Dinner)
Making your meals every day not only guarantees you have control over your health, but it’s also cheaper and a great way to learn a new skill or experiment with your cooking abilities.
7. Listen to Music
Music has always been a great source of stress relief for me. If I’m feeling stressed or sad or even if I just need to focus, turning on some music is always sure to do the trick. And there have been plenty of studies to show that listening to music actually does improve mental health and happiness.
8. Drink More Water
You probably aren’t drinking enough water. Seriously, most of us are walking around in a constant state of dehydration. I used to drink almost no water. And when I finally started drinking more, I noticed a huge change in how I physically felt. Now I can feel when I haven’t had enough water – I feel sluggish, my head doesn’t feel great, and everything just feels a little off. Keep hydrated!
9. Say No
If you are a people-pleaser, I’m sure you can relate to the anxiety felt at the thought of saying no to someone when they ask for a favour. But sometimes, saying no is the best thing you can do for yourself. Everyone has a lot on their plate, and you’ll burn yourself out if you’re constantly making time for other people’s priorities. Don’t worry about the fear of disappointing people – those who really care about you will understand!
10. Find a Mentor
Finding a mentor in your field can really be invaluable. A mentor can be there to show you the ropes early on in your career. They can also provide encouragement and a confidence boost when you need one.