Life is made up of small moments. But when you're busy juggling work, friends and romance, it's easy to forget how much those small moments affect us on a day-to-day basis.
Think about it. When someone pays you a small compliment, how much better do you feel? That one interaction can carry you through the rest of your day. (Of course, it goes both ways, but let's focus on the positive, shall we?)
When you add up all the small moments in your life, they amount to something substantial. Just think what would happen over time if you simply adjusted the little things you do every day. It could have a genuinely significant impact on your life. It could change the game.
In case you need inspiration, here are 13 super simple things you can do to make your day better.
1. Lay out your clothes for the next day before you go to bed.
Let's be real, none of us can think coherently in the morning — especially if we can't find access to coffee in a timely manner. This makes picking an outfit totally painful.
Eliminate that pain by choosing an outfit the night before. It may even make you the most style-envied person in your office.
2. Treat yourself — but only if it's on sale.
Who doesn't love a good deal? We all love a good deal! You should do something to treat yourself every day, but when that treat is on sale? It'll feel even better.
3. Take a quick walk every hour, on the hour, while you're at work.
Your brain needs a break from your computer, and your body needs a break from sitting at your desk. Achieve both simultaneously by taking a quick walk — five to 10 minutes — every hour, on the hour, during the workday.
It'll energize you even more than a sugary snack, all without the crash.
4. Get lunch with a co-worker instead of by yourself.
It's hard to align your lunch schedule with your co-workers when you all have such busy schedules and a lot on your plates. But when you do, lunch is always that much better.
Any of the day's stresses can melt away with the chance to have a vent session and mutually joke about how ridiculous Karen from Accounting's emails are. (I mean, really, four smiley emojis, Karen?!?)
5. Take a few minutes out of your day to look at photos of your celeb crush.
Looking at something beautiful is aesthetically pleasing and can really brighten your day. And what's more beautiful than your favorite celebrity? Take just a minute or two to search new photos of your celeb crush. Stare at the attractiveness for as long as you need to find yourself smiling. Then move on.
You have work to do, after all.
6. Try a new coffee shop every day.
Days can start to feel long and boring if you fall into a rut. One way to switch up your schedule is to try a different coffee shop every day. You'll meet different baristas, and you might even end up finding a new go-to cup of Joe.
7. Call your parents.
Ah, there's nothing quite as comforting as hearing mom and/or dad's voice. Put in that call. You'll always be glad you did (even if you have to field a few questions about your love life).
8. Science says: Force yourself to smile.
Science says that “fake it 'til you make it” actually applies when it comes to happiness. According to The Atlantic, forcing yourself to smile can actually decrease your stress and make you feel more content.
9. Listen to upbeat music.
Listening to upbeat music can also improve your mood. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to music to boost their mood felt happier in just two weeks.
Bottom line: Just keep streaming!
10. Eat beans and nuts.
At the risk of sounding like your grandmother, you really should be eating beans and nuts. If you don't believe me OR your grandmother, then listen to Dan Buettner: In his TED Talk, he points out that a plant-based diet is among the key ingredients to living a long — and healthy — life.
Maybe you won't see the immediate effects, but when you're still worrying about living every day to its fullest at age 100, you'll be happy you did it.
11. Ladies, don't stuff your feet into high heels.
Give your feet a break! I don't care what you say, high heels are not comfortable. Embrace flats so you don't have to worry about teetering around all day on those elevated death traps!
12. Count down to your next life event.
We need things to look forward to, so if you book a huge trip or are looking forward to your best friend's wedding, then create a countdown on your calendar. It'll remind you that the days are closing in, and it'll show you all the progress you've made since you booked the event in the first place.
13. Collect your loose change in a jar.
Okay, let's actually start this point by acknowledging that you really should use cash once in a while. I know we live in a plastic world, but using cash at least gives you some tangible evidence of where your money is physically being spent.
The downside of spending cash, of course, is the change you get back. But you can turn that change into treat-yourself money by putting the leftovers in a jar every day. You'll be surprised how much you'll have in a short period of time — you might even turn $90 into $200.
