Simple Hacks You Can Start Doing to Make Your Life Better

Sometimes, the best way to improve your life is to smile more, or take a deep breath. Laughing a little harder, smiling a little bigger and listening a little more are all small things you can start doing to make your life better. These small things cost you nothing, but add a quality of life that you can benefit from. Additionally, your friends and family can benefit. In this crazy thing called life, work, responsibilities and the everyday grind can get the best of you. But you can get the best of your life by participating in small things you can start doing to make your life better.

• Stop to smell the flowers. Literally. Stop and smell them when someone is selling them at your local market. And then maybe buy them.
• Pay attention to what you’re putting into your body. Not only should you ingest healthy foods, but you should make an effort to drink plenty of water and be sure to balance your meals. Your body is your vehicle.
• Assess and acknowledge your flaws on a regularly. Realize what you’re doing wrong. Keep your own behavior in check. This will help make a better you.
• But don’t be too hard on yourself. When you’re too harsh on someone, realize and acknowledge that you could’ve handled the situation in a kinder, more respectful way. When you put in a really hard and long day of work and not everything goes according to plan, don’t beat yourself up over it.
• Listen to some comedy on the subway, in the car, or on your walk. LOL while no one's watching. Or when someone is watching.

• Sit up straight.
• Dress appropriately for season and weather. You don’t need to look like a “10” in a hat, gloves, scarf and parka. You just need to stay warm.
• Unfollow all of the Twitter and Instagram accounts and Facebook “friends” that make you feel crappy. Unsubscribe to all of the random and unnecessary e-newsletters that show up in your inbox even though you don’t remember signing up for them.
• Color. Yes, I said color. Adult coloring books are growing in popularity because they’re amazing.
• Participate in a workout class that you feel completely ridiculous signing up for. Try hip hop, zumba, or kickboxing. Pilates and yoga are great too. If you can’t find a friend to participate with you, just be brave and go alone. You won’t regret it.

• When listening to someone talk, actually listen. You will get so much more out of your interactions and experiences with people if you are fully engaged, rather than only half-listening while you think about what you’re going to say next.
• Take a deep breath. Then take many deep breaths.
• When talking to your dad, mom, siblings or friends on the telephone, actually take the time to tell them what happened during your day. Then ask about their day, too. Don’t spend the whole conversation looking at your work emails. Be present in the conversation at hand.
• Use good-quality moisturizer on your face every morning and every night. If you live in a dry, cold climate, both times of day will really benefit your skin.
• Look nice on days when you have nothing eventful or special going on. You don’t always have to dress up for an important meeting or a date. You don’t need to dress up just for the compliments. Pick a day, and dress up because you wanted to look good. Make it about you, not someone else.

• Spend the time and a little extra money to buy quality ingredients at the grocery store. It can help make you excited about the food you’re cooking for dinner. Nothing brightens up a meal like good bread, pesto or a fresh vegetable.
• When there are important software updates for your computer or phone, download them when you’re first prompted. You’ll waste less time wanting to throw your phone against the wall because it’s loading so slowly.
• Pick up the phone and call someone. The “heart eyes” emoji doesn’t convey “I love you” to someone else like hearing it out loud.
• Make popcorn on the stove top.
• Stop showering every single day (unless your hair is very thin). Less frequent showers are better for your skin and your hair. You don’t need to go off and grow dreads (unless you really want to), but you should try washing your hair every second day.

• Re: hair care, use any over-ripened avocados in your fridge as shampoo every once in a while. Your hair will turn out shiny AF.
• Smile at small children. Smile at grown ups. Stop cursing under your breath and sighing at strangers who are walking on the wrong side of the street. (What are you? The street police?!) All you’re doing is giving yourself wrinkles before your time. Remember, it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.
• Pet all the dogs you can. (Remember to ask for permission first.)
• Get a lot of sleep when you’re feeling under the weather. Lighten your schedule when your body feels weak and over worked, you feel a cold coming on, or you have a bad headache. Always listen to your body and get into bed. Have some vitamin C. Make yourself some tea.
• Read one article per day that you really enjoy. Then tell your friends about it.

• Write down what you plan to accomplish at the beginning of every work day (or the night before, if it will help you sleep better).
• Make some time to just sit by yourself silently. It's important to schedule yourself into your day. Use the time alone to breathe, meditate, read, take a bath. If you’re really exhausted, take a nap.
• Commit to saving more money. You don’t have to make yourself crazy over it, but make a conscious effort to give yourself a savings goal, and then try really hard to meet it. At the end of each month, evaluate whether you actually followed through.
• When someone offers you a bite of their food, say yes. It doesn’t hurt to try new things.
• Reciprocate by offering a bite of your food to someone else. It doesn’t hurt to offer new things.