12 Habits To Adopt For A More Serene Life

I think serenity is very underestimated. And in my opinion, it is as important, as happiness. Maybe even more

When I think of a serene life, I imagine a life free of worry, stress and anxiety where calm reigns. A life where everything goes smoothly and on its own time and schedule.

Now I know this is very unrealistic, life doesn't work like clockworkd. It is very unpredictable and forever changing.

But I believe ther are some ways we can make our life MORE serene if not the most serene, nor at all time.

Here are my 12 tips for leading a more serene life!

1. Make time for personal happiness.

Each day, whether it’s spending time with friends, reading a book, or simply spending some me time in your own porch with a your favorite mug of coffee, dedicate some time each day to do things that make you happy and bring you joy.

I mean what's life? What is it worth if you can't enjoy what brings you joy?

2. Set small, achievable goals.

Be realistic don't underestimate but also don't overestimate your time, energy or money.

Rather than going all in, set smaller and easier goals that you can achieve to start with. This will give you a sense of accomplishment, help you stay motivated and build up your self-confidence and self-esteem.

3. Make time for relaxation.

Whether you decide to go for yoga, meditation, a bubble bath or some lounge music, taking time for yourself to relax, de-stress and let the daily or weekly tensions go out of your body can go a long way in making you feel happier and more relaxed.

4. Be mindful of your diet, nutrition and food choices.

It may sound cliché but there is truth to it, your food does affect how you feel: your mood, your hormones, your emotional imbalances, your sleep...Everything.

And believe me, I've unfortunately tested this the worst way possible.

Be mindful in your eating and try to enjoy and savor every bite slowly, as an experience or an adventure. Fill your senses with the different flavors and the colors on your plate.

5.Don't postpone

There is a beautiful saying in French that says: "don't postpone to tomorrow what you can do today"

I think this is a great principle to live by. It can definitely save much stress, anxiety, time and regrets.

6.Learn how to do your taxes correctly

Tackle your taxes without fear. And the sooner you can do them, the better.

Ask for help if your taxes overwhelm you but make sure you JUST DO them. Believe me, this will go a long way into relaxing you and getting you rid of worry, anxiety or apprehension-you might not even be aware you're experiencing- once you're finished with them.

7. Make your health & medical appointments/checkups a priority

Don't postpone your health and schedule your appointments: go to the dentist, the eye doctor, OB, etc on a regular basis.

Again, this will make you feel more relaxed because you know how you're doing or what you suffer from and you can take actions to remedy it.

Not knowing, worrying about something being wrong, doubting that it might be so only makes you more stressed and anxious, which has bad effects on your health if you didn't experience that already.

8. Prioritize your mental health

The same way prioritizing your physical health is a good habit to have for a mind at peace and a serene life, making therapy a priority and working on improving your mental health is extremely important.

Forget about all the excuses you may have: mental health impacts both your personal and professional life. It impacst your relationship with yourself and stops you from enjoying life.

So whatever you have do, simply DO IT and make sure you schedule both your time and money for therapy that you may need.

9. Live within your means

Stop trying to keep up with your friends, trends or take on unnecessary debt.

I truly believe that there is always an alternative way of making what we want happen as long as we're willing to look but mainly as long as we're not compromising on our well-being, wellness and values.

If you truly want something, first make sure that it matters to you and your life and is not only a wish that is born out of comparison or envy. Then, look for a way to make it happen that is within your means.

10. Go outside regularly and enjoy the outdoors

Don't isolate yourself inside buildings and four walls. And don't let yourself get so used to them you forget there is a natural beautiful world outside.

So even if it is just a short walk each day, and even if you don't live near the best views in the city, find something natural and beautiful to focus on, and enjoy your walk around the block and natural air.

11. Learn to unplug and detox from your phone, social media and technology

Whether it's for a few minutes a day, or for one day a week, make sure you unplug from your phone and do a social media detox now and then.

Technology and the digital world have their benefits, but we tend to get so sucked in and stuck in this world that we forget that real life is passing us by.

12. Learn how to say no

Don't take on more than you can handle and more importantly, don't say yes to anything that doesn't align with your values.

Learning how to say no can boost your self-esteem and self-respect, improve your relationships with others and help you preserve your well-being.

I hope that you'll try to apply some of these tips and in doing us, bring more calm to your life!