One of the best gifts you can give yourself is sometimes free and
easy to find: the gift of time. Make a pact to be good to yourself by
creating more time to relax, meditate and step away from the
distracting, noisy motions of daily life. All of these things can do a
world of good. Here are some easy ways to make 2014 a stellar year for
ramping up your quality of life.
1) De-Clutter
One
of the easiest ways to feel "lighter" and "happier" is to de-clutter
your life. Make time to clean out closets and drawers, the garage and
basement in a methodical way. In the end, you will add more time to your
life.
Most of us waste time trying to find something in a closet
that is stuffed with years' worth of clothing and odds and ends. If
you're ultra-organized, you may latch upon just what you were looking
for. But over time almost everyone finds they have accumulated too much
stuff. So stop wasting time looking for things you want through mounds
of things you don't use.
How long has it been since you've done a
thorough sorting and tossing of your storage areas? Chances are it's
been a long time. Once you've cleaned the house, make a commitment to
not let outdated or non-essential items stack up again.
When you
shed yourself of once loved, no more needed items, you'll feel years
lighter. You'll feel so proud of yourself you'll have a nice happy
feeling every time you open your closet doors. Get rid of the things
that are accumulating space in your life. If you haven't worn something
in six months, give it away or donate it.
2) Take a Walk
There's a centuries-old Latin adage that goes like this: solvitur ambulando, which means "it is solved by walking."
If
you want to brighten your day and have a healthier lifestyle, put on
your walking shoes and take a walk. Walking can open up many new
possibilities. Walk where you can enjoy the scenery or may run into a
neighbor you know or a neighbor you can get to know better.
Walk
to think better. As the old Latin adage portends, if you're walking and
enjoying life, chances are you'll find solutions to problems that might
not have occurred to you when you were stuck to the couch watching TV.
And
of course walking provides numerous physical and mental health
benefits. Research has also linked walking to a probable reason why
walkers often live longer than their peers.
3) Join Friends for Dinner
This
sounds so simple you wonder how having dinner with friends can really
help improve your life. It's fun to get together with people you enjoy,
but it turns out there are more benefits than just that.
Science
has found that the number "five" may be the magical number when it comes
to dining out and health. When five or more people go out or eat
together around the dining table at home at least once a week, they tend
to be happier than those who eat alone or share the dinner people with
fewer people.
Not only is it the dining experience that plays a
part. There's also a health benefit in the anticipation and looking
forward to doing something easy, simple and fun.
4) Get Inspired
What
if someone told you the quality of your life could improve if you found
inspiration in your life. You might be surprised to learn that
scientists have found that people who have found sources of inspiration
tend to be happier and more content. For some people that may come from
being connected to a church or spiritual organization. Others may find
inspiration, solace and beauty from exploring the world around them.
Look
around... you may find inspiration in some of the most surprising ways.
It may come from being a mentor to a young person who needs help and
guidance or shut-ins where you deliver community-based, low-cost meal,
or at hospitals or hospice centers who greatly appreciate your volunteer
efforts. The bottom line is get involved in life and you'll be richly
inspired and rewarded.
5) Spend More Time Sleeping
That's
right, you read it correctly. Many busy people have found the secret to
having more time during the day is having a longer, more restful sleep.
That means spending more time in bed!
If you're not sleeping and
not getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night, you may become
sleep deprived. Researchers have found that sleep deprivation affects
everything you do. When you are sleep deprived you react more slowly
(especially when driving) and you don't have the same focus and energy
as those who get a rested, good night's sleep.
What's even more
disturbing is that many people don't know what it feels like to be fully
awake during the day -- they're just marching through life without the
benefit of quality sleep each night.
There are many ways you can
improve your sleep patterns such as avoiding eating meals after 7 p.m.
or cutting back on drinking alcohol or caffeine in the evening, and
sleeping in a cool dark room. Try several lifestyle approaches such as
reading a good book, taking a bubble bath or drinking a cup of warm milk
before bed. The key is to find a pattern that works for you.
In addition to these six tips for improving your life, add in these elements too:
- Maintain a positive attitude. Stay focused on the good things going on in your life.
- Reflect on your successes instead of things that are out of your control.
- Take one day at a time. Focus on making the most of the present moment.
