We all want and aspire to live a happy life and be the best version of ourselves. Today I will share some tips on how I try to be the best version of myself and live a happy life. My overall goal for this article is that you can take home something I’ve listed and incorporate it into your everyday life to let a little more joy in.
It’s 7 am, and your alarm starts to scream at you before you have even had a chance to respond. You roll out of bed, throw on some clothes, grab lunch, and go out the door. The next day this same morning plays on repeat.
Starting your morning on the right foot is essential with a long stressful day ahead of you. Doing a 10-mile run to walking the dog positively affects your brain and daily life. Even if it’s 30 minutes, it makes a huge difference. When I was 13, I watched Casey Neist wake up early every morning, and I wondered if I would be as cool and happy as him if I did the same thing. No, I did not run around NYC at 5 am at 13, but I started taking my little Jack Russell dog for walks with my warm cup of coffee before I put on my makeup and started the day: no phone, no noise, just fresh air, and a slight breeze. I still incorporate walking with a warm cup of coffee in my morning routine as much as possible, as I know it’s what I need to get started. Some other ideas are, journaling, drawing, meditating, watering the flowers, or having breakfast with someone you love. Building this routine is proven to add to a happier life.
7-8 hours of sleep is always the goal, but how often do we achieve 7-8 hours? You’re chatting away on the phone with grandma an hour after you’re supposed to go to bed. The espresso won’t kick in at work, and we’re already grumpy at 10 am. Sleep is something our bodies cannot function without. Studies show that putting away your phone an hour before bed and reducing screen time links to more sleep and a healthier person.
Many say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Honestly, I think there is truth in this, not just for men but also for women. I’m crying, mascara running down my face, and you stick a thing of ice cream in front of me; there is a 99% chance my happiness will increase after downing that cup of ben and jerry’s ice cream #notsponsored. Eating at least something every three hours helps us stay energized and think straight and keeps our blood sugar consistent. Setting up an eating schedule throughout the day improves our health in many ways! Just to list a few, it boosts your metabolism, your energy lasts longer, and it reduces the chances of overeating and bloating.
Being present is so simple, yet something we often forget and take advantage of. When spending time with loved ones, sitting at a cafe, or spending time in nature, putting the phone away in the purse and living in the present is so important. Unplugging and living in the present helps to live a happier life the next time you have a coffee date, leave the phone in the car. On average, a teenager today spends 7 hours and 22 minutes daily on their phone. That’s 50 hours a week. I get it your friends are snap chatting with you when you are with grandma, and FOMO is hitting, but seriously how many dates will you be able to go on with your grandparents? I’m going to take a leap and assume you’re not with them 50 hours a week like you are with your phone.
The last two I will share are ones I stand very firmly on. To Have a creative hobby and a physical hobby. Let me explain what I mean by that; a physical hobby is something you do that you are generally tired from. I love to hike when I can and have no shame. My legs burn at the end, but I come down from the mountain happier and feeling accomplished. Some other Ideas are; gardening, surfing, rock climbing, backpacking, running, biking, skateboarding, skiing, and many others that I have left out. A creative hobby is; relaxing, which brings you joy, and you can destress and wind down at the end of the night. Reading, Drawing, Painting, embroidery, puzzles, cooking, and the list goes on and on. In conclusion, I hope one of these seven tips helps bring some joy into your everyday life!
