- Try to spend time outside every single day. There is something calming and rejuvenative about being outdoors and taking in all the sights, sounds and smells of nature. It’s amazing how even a short walk in the morning or evening can shift your outlook. My Fairfax studio is a quick 2 minute walk from my house and it amazes me how that brief connection to nature and breathing fresh air can often change my mindset. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can ease depression, increase focus and even improve your immunity! You can combine it with a workout like a hike, run or bike ride but you also can just simply go and sit in an outdoor space in your home or office. The fresh air and nature will do the rest of the work.
- Take some time to be quiet. It’s been said time and time again that meditation is very beneficial for the health of your mind and body. So find a little time each day to be still. I personally think the morning and/or evening are best for this. If my day begins rushed, I feel like I am catching up the rest of the day, so I try allow myself a few minutes to begin the day being calm. I also like that reset at the end of the day as well – take a short walk, take a bath, or right when you get home from work take a few moments to sit on the couch with all electronics in the other room. Being able to find stillness in chaos is a skill that takes practice and a little practice each day can make a big difference! This app is a great place to start if this is new to you!
- Pat yourself on the back. We often times give others a ton of praise, yet we give ourselves very little. And it’s really hard to feel your most healthy, happy self if you don’t give yourself a bit of (well-deserved) credit!. Why do we work so hard if we don’t even take time to appreciate it?!?! Take a little time each day to think of something you are proud of or at the very least something you are grateful for. And you can start super small – did you make that phone call that kind of scared you? Did you do something nice for someone else? It may take a little time to get used to patting yourself on the back! Once again, here’s a great app to keep you accountable!
- Get Your Blood Pumping. There’s a reason that exercise is an important daily habit to create. It gets your blood flowing, it makes you feel alive and of course, it helps keep you feeling good, today, tomorrow and beyond. There’s also a sense of personal accomplishment that comes with exercise that helps improve your confidence and of course your physique. Don’t have a full hour to work out? Do something smaller – a 10 minute brisk walk (outside!), a few push ups or sit ups, 10 minutes of yoga, etc. The smallest things can make a big difference in how you feel! I designed this video especially for people that have limited time to exercise. You can do 15, 30, or 60 minute workouts alone or combined for any length of time you have available! There really are No Excuses!
- Do something nice for someone else. Many of us are mother’s so we naturally spend a lot of time being selfless (definitely worth a pat on the back!) and doing nice things for others is contagious. If you do something nice for someone, they often times then want to do something nice for someone else! Once again, start small – smile at a stranger or ask your waiter how they are doing (and listen to their answer!) instead of simply rattling off your order. You’ll be amazed how many people are caught off guard when they are genuinely asked how they are!!! We all thrive on finding connection so find ways to relate to others – I promise you’ll feel better (and so will they!) as a result of it.
What ‘dailey’ habits do you have that make a big difference? Let us know in the comments below!
— Jill