ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Healthy Habits to Better Your Being
The small things a person does in a day can have a big impact on their mood and health.
Whether people realize it or not, the little things a person fits into their daily routine can change the way they feel about the day ahead of them. By adding seemingly small changes, moods and overall feelings of wellness can improve.
Hygiene
- Use products with the same scent. While it may seem tedious, using a shampoo or body wash that matches with lotion or perfume can make a person feel more put-together.
- Set aside a day once every week or two for full-body cleansing. Take a shower, washing your body from head to toe. Make time for lotion and even a face mask. Self care days tend to have a positive impact on the body, and a clean person typically feels happier and better about their situation.
Relaxation
- Taking 60 seconds out of a busy schedule for a breathing exercise can set the mood and wash away the troubles of the day, whether it’s right when someone wakes up or before they go to bed. A simple yet refreshing box breathing session relaxes the muscles and clears the mind. Box breathing means the participant draws a breath for five seconds, then holds it in for another five, then releases the breath for an additional five and waiting five seconds to inhale once again. According to Harvard Medical, calming the mind through meditation or any other brain break can help people “feel and function better.”
- Use a personal creative outlet. Take a break from everyday stress by drawing or doing something to purge creative energy.
“I play my guitar for at least 30 minutes a day,” junior Michaela Justus said. “It makes me feel a lot better about my day. Everybody needs a kind of creative outlet just to get a mental break from everything.”
Investments
- Buy a reusable water bottle. Water benefits the body in multiple ways, including clearing skin and helping digestion, according to Healthline. In addition, using a reusable water bottle in place of a disposable one is better for the environment because it prevents plastic from entering landfills.
- Don’t be afraid to splurge on self care products. While saving money is important for people of any age, fitting a little bit of luxury into an otherwise mundane day can make a huge difference in the way someone feels. Spending extra money on skincare or other products that may be higher quality make a person feel good while also having a better effect on the body.
Preparation and Reflection
- Play music when getting ready for school or work. Even in a rush, a playlist can influence the way one thinks about the day ahead of them.
“I always listen to music when I’m getting ready,” sophomore Chloe Kwasiborski said. “That makes it so I’m in a good mood for the beginning of the day.”
- Identify three good things that have happened each day. Even if the day went horribly, putting a positive spin on those events can lessen the impact and influence and make the next day a little better. According to Action for Happiness, focusing on what a person is grateful for while ignoring the negatives leads to more positive feelings socially and psychologically.
With the aforementioned tips, anyone can make small improvements that would ultimately have a big impact. These encouragements as well as many others change people’s outlook on their day or week, bringing a larger sense of peace to the body and mind alike.