The term, “self-improvement” can seem like a daunting task. We all want to be better people, but it’s difficult to know where to start or even if what we’re trying to do is keeping us on the right path.
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Luckily, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to make yourself into a better person, starting today. Try the following thirteen hints for improving your life and becoming a better person, which will also naturally help enrich the lives of others around you.
1. Drink Some More Water
According to Authority Nutrition, your body is made up of about 60 percent water. So being dehydrated, even if it’s just mild, can impact your energy levels and overall well-being.
Aim for what you need, since the amount of water that’s right for you depends on personal factors, including lifestyle and weight. Drink water when you’re thirsty and here and there throughout the day, and make sure you get enough while working out to make up for what you lose.
2. Work On Your Gratitude
With life being so busy, it’s all too easy to take the good for granted. That being said, practicing and expressing gratitude is actually vital to your self-improvement journey. By being more grateful, you’ll learn to appreciate the positives in your life more and see your world in a new light.
Expressing gratitude doesn’t have to be all grand gestures. Try simple things like an appreciative phone call or some well-wishing thoughts to loved ones to make gratitude part of your daily life.
3. Get Up Earlier
The early bird really does get the worm. According to Fast Codesign, research has shown that morning people tend to be more proactive and consistent than night owls.
While you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn, try getting up earlier if you’re a late riser who is always running around in the morning. You’ll start out your day feeling less stressed thanks to that extra time and being able to get more done.
4. Learn To Forgive
When it comes to forgiving, it’s not always easy. When someone deeply hurts or upsets you, it’s natural to want to hold onto that grudge. But harboring these feelings can prevent you from moving on, and you’re also dooming yourself to that negative-feeling baggage.
Practice forgiving in your life, even when it’s difficult to do so. You don’t have to let someone back into your life to forgive them, of course; the real magic is in letting that burden go.
5. Clean And Organize
Messy, disorganized spaces can add to the daily anxiety and stress in your life, says Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D. for Psychology Today. It distracts your focus, makes it more difficult to relax and gets in the way of your accomplishments.
Organize and clean your home and living space right now. Don’t put it off until tomorrow, as it’s more likely to not get done. Once you’ve got your life decluttered, remember to keep it that way!
6. Know When To Say Something
Disrespect, unfortunately, is a part of life. You may come across it from co-workers, friends and family members. Sometimes the comments aren’t intended to sting, but they still do. Even the most well-meaning person can have a slip-up. Unfortunately, with other people, the comments are meant as barbs.
Here, you’ve got to learn when to say something and when to stay silent, no matter where it’s coming from. Not every comment deserves a reaction, and sometimes, you’ve got to accept people for how they are and not how you want them to be. Save your reactions for when you believe it will mean something and possibly make that person a better human being.
7. Start A Journal
Keeping a journal can provide you with organization and clarity, which helps you handle negative thoughts and emotions and work on your goals at the same time. While you can type out your thoughts on a device, try the old-fashioned pen and paper to foster a better connection between you and the journal itself.
Slot a few minutes in for your journal in the morning or before bed. You’ll get the most benefit from writing a journal when it’s regular, so try to make it a daily habit.
8. Remove Negative Energy
The one area in life where you need to be incredibly territorial is with yourself and your own space. Don’t allow negative people or energies to take your space over. At the end of the day, all you have is your well-being. We only get one life to live, so don’t waste your time being drained by negative energy from other people.
9. Start Paying Attention
Pay close attention to the world around you. Look at people’s quirks, facial expressions, gestures – all the things that make them unique. Take the time to appreciate the beautiful greenery around you, the delicious food you’re able to eat. Start embracing the details in your life so that it’s not all just passing you by.
10. Pull The Social Media Plug
Social media is all around us these days. While connecting with loved ones and friends who are far away is a great thing, that’s not usually the role social media plays in our lives. If you’re spending an hour each day checking out posts and all your accounts, that adds up to 364 hours, or just over three weeks of your life.
Don’t be afraid to take that time back by dumping your social media accounts entirely or being smarter about how much time you spend on there and why. If you find yourself checking your accounts more than anything else in your free time, start setting limits to help you wean yourself off.
11. Treat Change Like An Old Friend
Change can be difficult to handle, and it’s especially hard to see the new beginning coming your way during the transition period. While change is scary and often unexpected, it’s just a part of life. Embrace the changes that come your way and all that comes with them, including any negative emotions. Rolling with the punches instead of fighting against the tide is almost always the best way to go.
12. Choose Laughter Instead Of Anger
Laughter is still the best medicine, and it works just as well when things don’t go as planned. Instead of being angry when something doesn’t pan out, try laughing at it instead. Be more selective about what you take seriously and what you find the humor in.
13. Just Go For It
Don’t end up with a life full of “what-ifs” and “maybes.” Take a risk sometimes; you never know when it will pay off. If you fail, it’s not the end of the world, and you can always try again or move on to the next adventure. Never let fear prevent you from doing something you really want to do.
