Implement These Simple Tips to Live a Better Life Today
Everybody wants to live a better life. But how exactly can you do this? Better yet, where do you even start? The journey towards growth is a tricky one, with so many different options overflowing our senses every day.
Add to that the Debbie Downers and Negative Nancy’s of the world who constantly jump to criticize any efforts towards said growth. Such overflows of information and negativity can really take a toll on your motivation to better yourself and your life.
I know I’m not the only one who’s gotten discouraged in the past after coming across countless ads claiming things like:
“Doing/Using (insert time-consuming habit or pricey product here) Will Change Your Life!”
Then they go on to speak about how said product or habit needs to be done/used almost every day of every week for years in order to be really effective. Never mind the draining of your soul and wallet along the way.
I don’t know about you all, but I still have a life (as boring as it can get) and I don’t necessarily have the time nor money for many of the things these articles typically suggest.
I work a 9–5 job, I have bills, and nobody else to depend on but myself. I know so many others get the struggle too, so if that sounds like you, don’t worry— you’ve come to the right place.
So enough of the introduction, let’s get down to why you clicked on this article. I want to share with you all some of the most simple yet effective ways I’ve learned to better myself and my quality of life:
Eat Your Fruits & Veggies
I wasn’t lying when I said these tips were going to be simple. But remember when I say simple it doesn’t mean it’s not just as important!
Take a look at the people around you (including yourself). Notice their dietary habits — how much they intake at once, how often, and most importantly what they eat.
Do they seem like they eat enough fruits and veggies? More importantly, do you eat enough fruits and veggies?
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that those needing 2,000 calories per day (basically the average human) eat 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables everyday. Do you know how much the average American eats every day? According to USDA surveys, it’s about 0.9 cups of fruits and 1.4 cups of vegetables. That’s crazy, right?
Except not really. I know it can be hard feeling like you have to stick to some diet. Still, it doesn’t mean that’s all you have to eat every day. Just at least enough to satisfy your body’s needs.
Get more healthy foods for snacks to enjoy throughout your day, as well as trying to include said foods in your daily meals. Little things add up. Here are some of my favorite simple foods with fruits/veggies in the mix—
- Cereal with chopped bananas
- Pancakes with strawberries & bananas
- Cucumbers with Tajín
- Sandwiches with tomatoes, pickles, etc.
- And the classic, celery with ranch (or peanut butter, depending on the mood)
Don’t be afraid to spice things up now and then! It makes being healthier all the more enjoyable and will positively change your all-around life experience.
Move Your Body
One of the next most important things on this list is exercise. It may seem unimportant, but trust me when I say working out is crucial for bettering yourself.
Exercise helps you not only physically but mentally.
It improves mental health, sleep and overall life quality. That’s definitely not all either as it also slows the aging process, as well as lowering the risk of many diseases such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
I understand it can be hard to find the time to workout frequently, never mind paying for a gym membership too. Here are some easy ways to break a sweat from home:
- Go for a run in the morning (this gets your energy going for the day too!)
- Get some dumbbells for those times lounging/working around the house
- Do squats/sit ups/crunches/planks/push ups etc. whenever possible
If you’d like a more in-depth list of easy home workouts, click here! I also recommend the Workout Women app for all my ladies out there. (There’s also a setting for men, but of course there are so many other great fitness apps out there, it’s whatever works best for you :)).
Read a Book
Next up on the list is reading. Just as you have to feed your body, you have to feed your mind as well. Although I’m sure most of you have an idea of such if you’re reading this article right now. If so, kudos to you!
However, let me ask you this — when was the last time you read an actual book? I mean an actual paper collaboration of work that you can physically hold in your hands? Why I’m asking is because:
“Most everything digital cultivates short-attention spans and multi-tasking distraction.” -TBS Staff
Amidst the Tik-Tok age of entertainment, do we really need more attention-span killers? Sure, I can enjoy a funny minute-long video or an interesting e-book every now and then myself, but in no way should these things replace tangible reading.
Here are just some of the many benefits reading from a paper book rather than an e-book can bring:
- You can read anywhere in your spare time without worrying about battery life or potential distractions in notification-form
- A physical book is overall more immersing making it easier to retain information
- You can find great deals on printed books — after that it’s yours forever (no worries about forgetting your password!)
You don’t have to dedicate hours a day to read, but just a few pages every other day out of a physical book can make all the difference.
Not to mention the more you practice this and make it a habit, the more likely you are to increase your reading over time without even noticing!
Your vocabulary, attention-span, intelligence – pretty much your overall brain will reap the benefits.
Still not convinced? Whatever. You’re reading on here which puts you ahead of the majority anyways. Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back for that!
Practice Meditation
Again, this may not seem of the utmost importance on this list, but trust me when I say meditation truly makes a difference.
Even just a few minutes a day can bring many benefits. Still, just like exercising, practicing daily can make it easier to go for longer more strengthening durations.
“If your mind is a muscle, then meditation is a way to take it to the gym.” — Mark Manson
Let’s take a minute to breathe. Free your thoughts. Slowly read each of these words, one by one. Focus on your position as you read. Are you comfortable? Reposition yourself if not. Feel your chest rise and fall as you take each breath. Try to relax your body as much as you can, listening to the voice in your head read these words, taking in yourself and the environment around you.
How do you feel? Calm? Aware? Maybe even sort of detached? Identifying such feelings can help in the process as well. Typically, going along with something as described above will help transition you towards a meditative state.
This is because you are made to stop and think about your whole thought process, while being shown the difference between your Self and the countless thoughts constantly running through your head.
There are many ways you can meditate and a multitude of platforms to help you do so. Some practices and tools include:
- Sitting and counting breaths in a distraction-free environment for 5–15 minutes (I recommend doing this as part of your morning or nightly routine)
- Listening to podcasts/watching YouTube videos meant to help guide the process
- Utilizing apps designed to guide through many types of meditation (And if you like saving money like me, these apps are free but still just as helpful!)
So go ahead, give it a shot. Doing so will give you nothing to lose (except some minutes out of the day) yet everything to gain within yourself.
Stack Your Money
While this may not seem very simple, it can be. Start out with baby steps. Save up some money on the side if you haven’t already started to do so. This will get you ready to start investing and growing your money.
I myself have a 401k retirement savings account, a rainy day fund, and another savings account for personal goals and growth. I also invest small amounts into stocks for various companies.
I’ve already gained hundreds back just through these methods, and so can you! You don’t have to use these exact steps of course, as everyone is different. Your comfort with certain levels of risk, your current financial circumstances, etc. all play a part.
Don’t let these things scare you away from making the move though! I let myself stay scared for way too long and lost out on even more potential profit because of this.
Just because you’re not rich does not mean you can’t invest.
There are many ways a beginning investor can get their feet wet. You can:
- Get an account through a robo-advisor, for those who’d like a bit more of an automated process along with computer guidance
- Get an online brokerage account, for those who’d rather manually manage all aspects themselves
- Use other apps to invest in things like cryptocurrencies (I personally use the crypto.com app)
Now I could go on about investing and growing and saving money and the like — just as I could go on about the importance of any of these things — but this article would be much too long if I did so.
Instead I’ll just ask that you check out this site for more information and do some research yourself. After that, don’t be afraid to start stacking your money today! The long-term results may surprise you.
Dream Big!
Last but most certainly not least on the list is to dream. Yes, as simple as that — dream. Not tiny insignificant dreams you forget the moment you wake up either, no, I’m talking big dreams!
Imagine yourself living your dream life, whatever that is. Whether it’s living a wealthy, a healthy, or creative life. Maybe it’s one in which you have your dream job. Or maybe you simply wish to live through life, regularly feeling content and fulfilled.
Now just keep imagining.
See yourself surpassing those you envy. Bringing the change you wish to see. Becoming those you aspire to be.
It may seem like silly motivational nonsense, but I mean it when I say dreaming is essential for living a better life.
“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” — Albert Einstein
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Thanks for reading! I wish you all the best on your own journeys towards self-improvement.
