27 Ways You Can Improve Your Life Today

Have you ever felt that your life is one big mess that needs some massive clean up? I've been there. Sometimes, one area may seem out of whack. Or you might even feel like everything is off kilter. When I feel like things are off track, I often wonder if I'm supposed to fix my personal life or my professional life first. And then I wonder which exact step I should be taking. The minutes turn to hours, hours to days, and…well, you get it. A friend recently shared how he resolved to get fit this year but spent so much time thinking about what to do that he didn't take any action for two months! I can certainly relate – what about you?

I found that the key can often be found in the smallest, simplest steps. You just need to get the ball rolling so the rest can fall into place.

Here are some simple ideas for ways you can improve your life today:

Food/Eating

Read labels
Eat fresh foods that don't have labels
Choose whole foods
Make a list of new foods to buy on your next grocery store trip
Experiment with different foods – at every diner party I have, I cook something I've never tried before.

Tip: try going to a local farmer's market. You'll get out into the fresh air, find great fresh foods (some you might not have heard of), and maybe grab a bite to eat from a great local vendor. On my last trip, I bought some Apriums!

Drinking

Stay hydrated – get plenty of fluids throughout the day
Reduce the amount of sugary beverages you drink each day
Drink plenty of water (I have to jazz it up with lemon or other fruits)
Make a smoothie for breakfast or lunch
Consume alcohol in moderation (if at all)

Tip: If you're like me and getting enough fluids is tough, particularly when you're talking about water, adding fruit can help. I also make myself drink a glass of water for every sugary beverage I have. Also, try mineral water if you crave a little fizz.

Fitness/Exercise

Take the stairs whenever possible
Have a dance party for one (my preferred exercise)
Snag the first parking space you find (instead of hunting anxiously for the closest)
Take stand-up-and-stretch breaks every 60 to 90 minutes
Work at a standing desk or on a treadmill desk once a week
Meditate & stretch every morning
Take a walk while you're on phone and conference calls

Tip: If you work from home or at a computer, getting up to move around is important. When I'm in the zone (and not hydrated), I can sit at my desk for 4+ hours and never get out of my seat – that's bad! Now I set a timer that reminds me to at least stand up and shake a leg.

Sleep/Rest

Declutter your bedroom – create a peaceful space
Develop a pre-bed routine
Have a bedtime
Unwind your mind – jot down any lingering thoughts so they won't distract you
Get up at the same time every day

Tip: if you're an insomniac, have a Plan B. What will you do if you can't sleep? I don't suggest getting on the internet. Keep a book or journal bedside, count backwards from 1 million…

Mental/Mood

Make a playlist of feel good songs (my favorite!)
Journal/Freewrite
Meditate/Pray/Find some quiet time
Read an inspirational book or list of quotes
Write down what you've accomplished today (even the smallest things help)

Tip: Find your “healthy happy pill.” It might not be a long term solution, but when I'm down in the dumps, there are certain things that perk me up without fail – cute kid videos on YouTube, listening to Ray Charles, singing Careless Whisper…and then I can get back to focusing on what's important.

Some of these things seem so simple, you may be tempted to dismiss them (I've done it in the past), but small changes add up to big improvements. If you're ever stuck and feel like you need to do something  to move forward, you can refer to this list to give you some ideas. Bookmark this article or print it out to post on your wall! I keep a printed list on desk for easy reference.

Which improvement will you make first – something from this list or an idea of your own? Tell me in the comments below!