Don't take the stresses of your past in the future and make all of these your health resolutions.
From getting out of bed the right way to banishing stress in 60 seconds, these 7 simple changes can make you happier, healthier and more productive.
1. Shake up your wake up
Do not hit the snooze button. Instead, open your eyes, swing your legs over the side of the bed and plant your feet on the floor.
Take five deep breaths, then drink a glass of water. Get outside into the sunlight if you can, or open the windows for 15 minutes to wake you up and lift morning brain fog.
2. Beat the morning rush
Don't get caught up in the morning rush. Designate a place to house all the things you and your family need for the day.
Choose one bag or wallet for everyday essentials. Keep useful things in your car or your travel bag, such as a pair of sunglasses.
If you take these items out, put them back as soon as possible. Group things together. If you don't want to forget your packed lunch, put your keys on top of your lunchbox.
For important things, write yourself a note and put it on the front door.
3. Perfect your posture
Sitting properly boosts productivity and reduces fatigue. Stand up tall in front of your chair. Engage your core and bend your knees to sit down, while keeping your upper body as tall as you can.
Once sitting, lean forward a little to stack your torso directly over your pelvis. Shrug your shoulders up to your ears, and pull them back, then down.
Lift your head up and back so that it's held high and in line with your pelvis and torso. Position your chair so your hips are at a 90-degree angle to your knees. Move often throughout the day.
4. Pause before reacting
Feeling frustrated with someone you live with or annoyed by a thoughtless text message? Think about the thing that's causing you anxiety.
Close your eyes and slowly inhale for a count of four. Hold this breath for the count of four, then exhale for four. Now open your eyes and breathe normally. Repeat when necessary.
5. Learn to say no
Remind yourself that your time is valuable and once spent, you can't get it back. Respond quickly - don't leave people hanging on once you know you're saying no.
Instead of saying you don't have time, try saying you can't give it the full energy it deserves and so it wouldn't be right to say yes. Declining something now will help you say yes to something else later.
6. Cut stress in 60 seconds
Position both hands in front of your face as if you were giving two thumbs-up. Place your thumbs on either side of the bridge of your nose, just beneath your brow bone. Press firmly.
Count slowly for eight to 10 seconds and breathe. Reposition your thumbs above the outside ends of each eyebrow. Place your index fingers about an inch above your thumbs and press gently. Count slowly for eight to 10 seconds and breathe.
7. Review your day
Take a few deep breathes and walk yourself through your day. Reflect on what you are most grateful for or the times in your day when you felt most alive. Take mental notes on when you felt the most drained.
Did something frustrate you? Could you have done something better? Now, let it go. Forgive yourself and others and set your intentions for tomorrow. What lessons from today will help you live tomorrow better?
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