7 WAYS YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Living life in the fast lane can seem like fun, with so many things to do, so many people to see, so many family and work tasks to complete. But if you don’t take your foot off the gas once in a while, you’re likely to burn out or, worse still, find yourself in bad health, and that isn’t good. So, maybe it’s time you took a step back to review where you’re at and to make some changes for the better. Here are seven ways you can improve your life.

Stop and review

When was the last time that you actually sat down and thought about how much you are piling into each day of the week, the month, or even the year? Wondering why you have been feeling so tired? Well, it may just be that you have been overdoing it. Assess where you’re at by writing down your average schedule for a day and a week, rather like a financial planner, but instead of having enough money to cover commitments, do you have enough time?

If you’re burning the candle at both ends of the day, you should be thinking about how you can relieve the load a little. Are there some commitments you can take a break from, or even some you can close-down? Could you get help with some of the things you have to do on a regular basis? Draw up a plan for the coming weeks, seeing how much you can streamline it, making it more efficient and less tiring for you!

Share the load

If you’ve worked out that you really are overloading yourself all the time, then you should think about asking for help. It can be a difficult thing for some, thinking that requesting assistance is an admittance of failure in some way. It’s not, of course. It’s facing up to the fact that things aren’t sustainable, you’re being realistic.

So, go through your commitments and see if you could ask co-workers, family or friends to lend a hand. It could be that one of your relatives could take the kids off your hands for an afternoon here and there. Or maybe, within your immediate family, your partner could be doing more to share the duties. Draw up a roster to share out household chores. All these things can make a big difference in the way you live your life.

The right job?

Working is a big part of most people’s lives and, if you’re juggling it with a family too, it can be all the more complicated. Maybe you have young kids and are working part-time around the school hours. Or you’re working full-time and getting help to look after your family while you’re not at home. Whatever your situation, you need to be happy and comfortable in your job. If you’re not, then maybe it’s time to make a change.

If you like the company, but you are not really feeling it with your role, then maybe it would be a good idea to have a chat with your manager about where you’re at currently. Is there a chance for a promotion? Could you move to a different department? Is there any training you could undertake within the business? If you’re still not finding any joy, then why not start looking around at other opportunities.

Word of mouth in your local community is a good way to find work; you can get recommendations that you can trust. Or you could register with an agency. Don’t forget that there are loads of online job search platforms too, which you can keep an eye on for openings. Register for job opening alerts.

When you’re happy in your work and it pays fairly, it can make a real difference to how you feel about your life. It’s one change you may need to make if your job feels like it’s getting you down.

How’s your health?

As well as all the things that have been going on around you, how is your actual health? Are you looking after yourself? If you’re running around like crazy, then maybe you’re feeling tired, worn out and a little lackluster. Keeping yourself in good shape is truly important. Exhaustion and stress can lead to all sorts of ailments and can keep you awake a night, meaning that you don’t get enough rest.

There are lots of things you should be thinking about here. First of all, if you’ve not been feeling yourself of late, then why not book an appointment with your doctor or a medical professional to get yourself checked over? They can have a chat with you about your routine, diet, and fitness and advise you on any changes that you need to make to minimize health risks.

If you smoke or drink a lot of alcohol, then you should be talking about that during your check-up, to get some help with quitting the cigarettes or cutting your beer and wine intake. These habits can really have a big effect on your health and maybe behind any health conditions you are developing. Your doctor can advise on support available to help you through this and may recommend specialist services, including long-term care. This can also apply if you’re taking drugs, and you may need to find rehab centers.

Get fit

While we’re talking about health, it may be that your doctor advises you that you need to lose some weight or to get yourself into better overall fitness. Think about how much exercise you are getting in your daily and weekly routines. If it’s just walking in and out of a grocery store, then it’s surely not enough.

If you have a job and live fairly close-by, why not leave your car at home and walk to the office? You don’t have to do it every day, but once or twice a week could start making a real difference to your level of fitness. Then, if you enjoy it, maybe you can build it up to every day!

If you’re not a fan of two feet, then you could take to two wheels. Yes, that old bike you have had sitting in the garage for many months, it’s time to dust it off and get it back out on the road. Cycling is good for you, and it will blow away the cobwebs. Try it, see if you like it. Why not meet some of your co-workers along the way and ride into work together? That could make it even more enjoyable.

Away from the work run, you should also be thinking about boosting your health in other aspects of your life. Do you ever go to the gym or play any sports? If watching the TV is the closest you get to a sport, then you need to be making some changes. You don’t have to get competitive; it’s just about working some more exercise into your life.

Choose a sport you like and join a club. Or why not arrange a weekly meet-up with friends or co-workers? You may find that you actually enjoy it. Playing sport can be really sociable, and that’s great when it also gets you in shape!

Eat well

As well as getting lots of regular exercises, you also need to eat well. And by eating well, that doesn’t mean eating loads of stuff! You need to figure out a balanced diet that’s right for your individual body. If you’re struggling with that, ask your doctor or a dietary advisor. But, listen to the experts, and they will tell you it’s all about including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and controlling your fat and calorie intake.

There are so many sources of inspiration out there right now for making healthy, tasty dishes at home, whether it’s a TV chef or recipe apps. Check out what’s around and get yourself some great food on the table. Remember, those leftovers could be useful for the next day!

Take vacations

Sure, it can be easier said than done, but taking time out as often as you can also help you improve your life. Try the Best Trip Planner and take some vacations throughout the year, to get away from the stresses and strains of your normal routine. It doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars on an overseas trip. You could head somewhere much closer to home, even visit friends and family who live outside your area.

A change of surroundings with your loved ones alongside you can be a real tonic when it comes to feeling good and in control. Of course, if you do have some spare cash, then a trip abroad can also be a great thing to do, opening up all sorts of new cultural experiences to enjoy and remember.

If you can’t get away for long, then don’t worry. Maybe arrange some weekend breaks. That may be all you need to give yourself a quick refresh, recharging your batteries for the new challenges ahead!