small ways to improve your life in less than 30 minutes

lifestyleImproving your life doesn’t have to be about making one big gesture. Instead, it’s something you can constantly work on, and it typically comes down to the small things you do every day. I understand that no one has all the time in the world to think about self-improvement when there’s work and family and bills to pay, so let’s start with just 30 minutes a week.Yup, that’s all! Now, I bet you’re listening. What I’m asking is that you try one (or two, or five, or all) of these activities and see if they help you become a better ‘you’, whether that means increasing your confidence, reducing your stress, creating deeper relationships, or becoming a healthier individual.Achieve MindfulnessI’m sure you’re so sick of hearing that you should ‘totally try meditation,’ especially from your recently yoga-crazed friend. But mindfulness is a lot more realistic to achieve than the kind of meditation you hear about because it doesn’t require years of practice and a yoga mat. And, it only takes 30 minutes (or less!) sitting right at your desk.Develop a Consistent RoutineA happy, healthy morning starts with a killer bedtime routine. There’s no perfect answer for making your own, but the important thing is to make one and stick to it. Also, re-doing your bedroom can help you out. Especially when you’re busy or stressed, it can be hard to get your best sleep every night, even with an awesome routine. Instead, try creating a space where you’ll always feel good. Find an Energising Midday Activity That’s Good for YouYou probably saw it coming, but just as important as setting a schedule for your mornings and evenings is also having an activity that is guaranteed to bring you out of the worst midday slumps.Make Your Own FoodMaking your meals every day not only guarantees you have control over your health, but it’s also cheaper and a great way to learn a new skill or experiment with your cooking abilities.Plus, you get to boast to co-workers when they ask where you got the food. Then Eat it Away From Your DeskA colleague of mine learned many valuable lessons after bravely eating lunch away from her desk. For one thing, taking a break is just good for you. But, she also realised the importance of practicing work-life balance all day, rather than just after work was over. By giving yourself that time off during office hours, you’re already one step closer to a healthier, well-balanced life.Do a Bunch of Little Productive TasksI challenge you to set aside 30 minutes and do all those nitty-gritty tasks you’ve been meaning to do, all at once. First, this prevents you from multitasking later on when emails are rushing in while you’re trying to do your work. Second, it forces you to tackle those things that make you cringe - things that, once they’re done, will make your life a heck of a lot easier.Connect With an Old Friend or New Co-workerIf it’s been a while since you’ve seen or talked to someone, reach out and let them know you’re thinking about them. Maybe even try it the old-fashioned way - sending a physical letter! There’s no doubt snail mail makes anyone’s day. Or, if you haven’t had a chance to meet a colleague in another department at the office, or a new co-worker who just joined last week, consider meeting up for lunch or coffee. You’ll make a work friend, and even better, you’ll build up your network.(Bonus: Studies show that hanging around good people leads to better lifestyle choices!)Clean your closetBy ‘closet’ I could also mean your desk, your office, your bedroom, or even your kitchen cabinets or dishes. Cleaning is stress-relieving, and actually a form of mindful meditation, according to some studies. So, kill two birds with one stone by reorganising your space and practicing positive self-awareness.Get OutsideNotice how I didn’t say ‘go to the gym’ or ‘go for a run.’ Yes, exercise is great but for most people, including myself, it’s a lot easier said than done. Hence, another option: go outside. Walk around, sit in the park and read, or go for a leisurely bike ride. Just being outdoors is good for you in so many ways. It improves creativity, helps us age better, makes us happier, and, it might actually make you want to work out more (science says so!).Don’t you feel better already? A version of this article was originally published at www. themuse.com 

from The News International - You http://bit.ly/2B1NyZU