Difference between revisions of "Live the Best Life You Can"

[[Category: Happiness & Optimism]]

#Work on your mental health. Your mind is as important as the rest of your body, and it's important that you practice good mental health. This includes meeting your emotional needs. Feeling emotionally well can help you see positive changes in the rest of your life. You can improve your mental health by surrounding yourself with people that you trust and making sure that you are comfortable in your surroundings.<ref name="rf1">https://www.uhs.umich.edu/tenthings</ref>

#*If you are experiencing unpleasant emotions, such as sadness or loneliness, it is possible that seeing a mental health professional would be useful. Find a reputable counselor in your area.<ref name="rf1" />

#Learn to handle stress. Stress is one of the biggest problems people face when trying to improve their mental health. Try finding [[Deal With Stress|coping mechanisms]] to use when you are in a difficult situation, such as taking deep breaths or counting to ten.<ref name="rf2">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20765943,00.html</ref>

#Get physically fit. Taking care of your body is crucial for overall health. People who are more physically fit are generally happier and have lower rates of stress. Take good care of yourself by eating a heathy diet and getting regular exercise.<ref name="rf3">https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/wellness/seven-fitness-tips-for-improved-physical-health/</ref>

#*Eat lots of fruits and veggies. People who eat a balanced diet are less likely to suffer from health problems, such as high cholesterol or diabetes.<ref name="rf4">http://www.fitness.gov/eat-healthy/why-is-it-important/</ref>

#Be spiritually healthy. Spiritual wellness means being in tune with your beliefs and values. In order to get in touch with your spiritual side, try to think about what is most important to you, and focus on those things. You can also consider what you believe is your purpose in life.<ref name="rf5">https://stories.illinoisstate.edu/student-affairs/health-promotion-and-wellness/7-ways-improve-spiritual-wellness/</ref>

#Enhance your interpersonal relationships. Your interactions with other people can have a big impact on your well being. Involving yourself in positive relationships can make you feel happier and less stressed. If you have negative people in your life, it can cause you to feel unhappy and unhealthy.<ref name="rf6">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20853691,00.html</ref>

#*If you are in a romantic relationship, make it a priority to improve it. Try spending more quality time with your partner and being more physically affectionate.<ref name="rf7">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20853691_6,00.html</ref>

#Increase your intellectual health. You need to strengthen your mind the same way you strengthen your other muscles. Being intellectually healthy means that you challenge and engage your brain. You are curious and like to explore new places and things. <ref name="rf8">https://wellness.ucr.edu/intellectual_wellness.html</ref>

#Start fresh each day. If things aren't going your way, try to take some of the pressure off of yourself. Look at each day as a new beginning. This mindset will help you be able to see the positives in life.<ref name="rf9">http://personalexcellence.co/blog/101-ways-to-live-your-life-to-the-fullest/</ref>

#*Try [[Keep a Journal|journaling]] before bed each night. Writing down your thoughts can help you sleep better and start each day with a clear mind.<ref name="rf10">https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4552</ref>

#Be proactive. In order for your life to change, you need to be the force that drives changes. Being proactive means that you are in charge of your own destiny. You respond to your own choices, not choices made by other people. When you feel in charge of your own life, you will start to feel more comfortable and confident. To be proactive, think about specific actions that you can take to improve your life, and then take them.<ref name="rf11">http://www.theleaderoftomorrow.com/habit-1-highly-effective-people/</ref>

#[[Form a Good Habit|Form new habits]]. If there are parts of your life that you feel are not the best they could be, try to make changes. Maybe you want to improve your physical fitness or maybe you want to save more money. Whatever it is, try making changes in your daily life in order to see big changes. For example, try setting aside $2 a day as a way to start saving more money.<ref name="rf12">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-clear/forming-new-habits_b_5104807.html</ref>

#[[Set Goals|Set goals]]. Goals are a reflection of your priorities and are concrete ways that you can improve your life. Goal setting can be useful in every area of your life. Having realistic goals can help you visualize the changes you want to see happen.<ref name="rf13">http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasmith/2013/12/30/a-guide-to-evaluate-your-priorities-set-goals/</ref>

#Find your passion. Having a purpose in your life can help you to live the best life possible. Try asking yourself what you would do if you no longer had to worry about money. When you find the answer, you're on your way to find your passion.<ref name="rf14">http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2014/07/02/3-practical-ways-to-find-your-lifes-passion-and-a-career-you-love/</ref>

#Appreciate something each day. Try to put some effort into truly taking pleasure out of your life. One simple way to do this is to choose something to take pleasure in every day. This can be as simple as taking a moment to taste and savor your morning coffee. Or you could make it a habit to spend thirty minutes each day doing something that you truly enjoy.<ref name="rf15">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201409/three-ways-enjoy-your-life-more</ref>

#Avoid [[Stop Comparing Yourself to Others|comparisons]]. Try not to measure your life against someone else's. For example, if you are concerned about your finances, try to think of ways to increase your income. This is an action you can take to improve your situation as opposed to thinking about your friend who has a higher paying job and wondering why you can't make that kind of money.<ref name="rf16">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kare-anderson/enjoy-life-more_b_2658870.html</ref>

#*When you compare yourself to someone else, you often end up judging yourself unfavorably. Most people compare themselves with those we perceive as having more or being "better."<ref name="rf17">http://tinybuddha.com/blog/stop-comparing-yourself-to-others/</ref> They also tend to compare themselves to an idealized version of that person, ignoring the fact that the other person is human, with flaws and challenges like everyone else.<ref name="rf18">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201409/how-stop-comparing-yourself-others-and-feel-happier</ref>

#*Instead of measuring yourself against others, compare your past and present selves. How have you grown in the last year? What can you do today that you couldn't do before?<ref name="rf17" />

#*Comparing yourself to another person is like comparing apples to oranges. It is an inaccurate and irrelevant measurement, since everyone is unique.<ref name="rf17" /> It's as illogical as comparing your swimming ability to a dolphin's.

#Go outside. Research tells us that fresh air can have a positive impact on your health, both mental and physical.<ref name="rf19">http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/fresh-air-can-help-your-brain</ref> Try to take some time each day (or week) to spend some time outdoors. You can visit your neighborhood park, or go on a weekend adventure to a nearby state park.<ref name="rf20">http://www.health.com/health/calendar/0,,20486395,00.html?viewdate=5</ref>

#Practice self-acceptance. Focus on your positive traits. If you are overly critical of yourself, it can be hard to find pleasure in your life. Instead, take some time each day to focus on your strengths. Make it a habit to compliment yourself. Try taping a sticky note to your bathroom mirror that reminds you that you are a great person.<ref name="rf21">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tracy-crossley/happiness-tips_b_4060354.html</ref>

#Be playful. Embracing your inner child can help you feel like you are living life to the fullest. Try doing something silly, like skipping or turning a cartwheel. Don't be afraid to laugh. You can also make it a habit to joke around with your your friends and family. Your playfulness will likely rub of on them.<ref name="rf22">http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/27/magazine/the-importance-of-being-playful.html?pagewanted=all</ref>