Five Things We Can Do To Improve Our Lives
Tips to help you enjoy life by having friends, enjoying a new hobby, and more.
During the pandemic, it was difficult to go to the gym and exercise. If you took on the habit of watching too much television and working too much, you may have gained a few pounds by taking on some bad routines like eating too much junk food. The good news is that poor habits can be broken!
I have put a list of five things we can do to help us improve our lives. These are a few ideas that may help you to make your life more interesting, healthier, and happier.
1. Eat Healthier
Add more vegetables and fruits to your meals. Replace a bag of chips with celery sticks for snacking. Make your plate alive with the colors of the rainbow: consider topping up a boring tuna salad with bite-sized pieces of kale, shredded carrots, and cherry tomatoes.
I love to make an occasional vegetarian pasta or lasagna dish, and the best thing is that there are usually enough leftovers to last a few days.
Recently, I saw a toddler in a stroller happily eating french fries from the local fast food place. Hopefully, the mother supplemented her child’s diet with healthier foods.
Turns out that eating more vegetables is better for our brains, according to nutritionist Kiersten Hickman. The absence of vegetables in our diet can lead to problems, such as intestinal issues, and increases the risk of depression, Kiesten writes in the journal Psychiatry Research. The researcher notes that a diet of fruits and vegetables is a source of fiber and complex carbohydrates, which allow a person to also feel more satisfied, and less likely to overeat.
In addition, eating more vegetables and fruits is also connected to a reduced risk of some chronic diseases, including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and some forms of cancer.
2. Pick Up Something New To Learn
Learning something new makes life more interesting. During the pandemic, there was a widespread interest in masks, and I ended up teaching myself how to sew and make my own facemasks. I learned this by rewatching tons of Youtube videos which taught me how to troubleshoot sewing needle issues.
Find something you have always wanted to learn but were afraid to try. Here are a few ideas:
- take swimming lessons
- take a photography courses
- learn a new language
- learn how to code
- learn how to draw
- learn how to become an independent filmmaker
- learn to play piano or guitar
There are so many things in the world to learn, and it all comes down to what piques your interest.
If you want to learn how to play guitar, there are many videos on Youtube with great instructors that will teach you the basics, and more!
Learning something new also gives you confidence and self-esteem and it may even help you launch a new business! A few years ago, I also taught myself how to knit woolen toques. I even received a few buyers on eBay!
I also make jewelry for fun and sold a few on Etsy. With so much free online training available online, learning how to make jewelry or learning some other craft is easier than ever.
The benefits of learning a new hobby are not always about making money. Learning something new is also personally satisfying.
3. Turn In Earlier
Sleep is so important and sometimes, we don’t get enough shut-eye. There are too many distractions and the temptation to text or check your iPhone for Facebook messages is always there unless you learn to manage your time.
I always put the silent mode on at night, at a specific time. This allows me to stop replying to people when I am trying to sleep earlier. I always try to go to bed at the same time, as well, regardless of whether it is a weekday or weekend.
The signs of sleep deprivation include:
- fatigue
- mood changes
- memory problems
- difficulty concentrating
- hallucinations
If you experience many of these symptoms or are having trouble getting to sleep, talk to your doctor.
Generally, whenever I have a good night’s rest, I wake up refreshed and ready to go! So skip the latte before you turn in because having caffeine may keep you up instead of sleeping like a baby!
4. Develop An Exercise Routine
Even if you go out for a walk, that’s exercise. Getting an exercise routine does not mean running for 2 kilometers a day. Taking the time to go for a stroll, or an easy jog is a great way to relieve stress and get healthy.
When I was young, I learned that my grandmother walked the entire span of a city bridge on a regular basis. She must have been in her late sixties and I had always admired her when I was younger.
Then I learned about a British man who walked around his garden using his walker and managed to raise $22 million dollars for charity. Tom Moore, a veteran and 99 years old, set out on a challenge to raise money and walked 100 times around his garden to do it.
There are many benefits to walking including:
- assisting in burning calories
- strengthening your heart muscles
- lowering your blood sugar
- easing joint pain
- boosts immune system
Some studies point to the advantages of taking a stroll. In fact, one study shows that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for chocolate, and reduce a desire for sugary junk food.
Another study found that people who walked 20 minutes a day, five days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than people who exercised once a week, or less.
Make a date with yourself and consider exercising. If you have health issues, consult with your doctor for an exercise routine that works for you.
5. Rejoin Your Friends And Family Socialize Again
With the pandemic winding down, it’s time to make plans to visit friends and family. What’s a picnic without a group of friends to come together to share experiences?
Over the years, I have hosted several picnics where we experienced the joys of socializing, being outdoors, and just being together.
Friendships can make your life more meaningful and also improve your health in more ways than one. Good friends are essential for helping you have a sense of belonging, improve your self-esteem, and boost confidence, as well as dealing with personal issues, or the death of a relative.
My friends have helped me cope with the loss of my father because they also shared their experiences of losing their parents. We are not alone with our problems because many of our friends also are recovering from losses.
One of my friends showed me how to get supplies for making jewelry. Another friend shared her knowledge of hat-making, which lead me to learn about knitting my own hats. To date, I have knitted close to 50 winter hats!
We need each other and we also need to be available for each other. Every so often I hear about a few friends with health and other personal matters. My friend is currently struggling with her mother who is a fussy eater and suffers from dementia. I suggested a food processor to help her blend the food to make it easier to digest for her mother. This method has helped my own mother accept her meals.
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust
Have a friend for all seasons of your life. Be such a friend yourself and you will also get one for life. Even if it is talking over a cup of coffee and a muffin, setting aside some time for a friend will reward you over your lifetime.
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