10 Little (But Extremely Important) Things You Should Do Every Day

1. Go outside.

And not while you’re just en route to go inside somewhere else. We are so used to closing ourselves off from the earth. We shut ourselves into our houses. We usually work in a big building where we sit at a desk and may not leave until dark. We get into a car to go wherever we need to go. However, being outside is so important. When you spend time out in the fresh air, looking at and listening to the birds singing, and listening to the wind blowing the leaves of the trees, you automatically feel a connection to the earth we live on. You will see the amazing beauty in something as small as the little flower growing in your yard and you will feel lucky to just be a part of such an unbelievable, ever-changing planet.

2. Give someone a hug.

Affection is so important, and something as seemingly small as a hug can actually brighten your day. There is nothing like giving or receiving a meaningful hug from someone. The strong embrace shows how much you care and makes you realize how much someone cares about you in return. A good hug gives you a sense of security, even if only for the moment. Whether you give a hug to a parent, significant other, or a friend, I guarantee it will make your day a little bit more worthwhile.

3. Be active.

Go on a run, go for a leisurely bike ride, take your dog for a walk, go to the gym, or do a yoga class. It doesn’t matter what you do, just get your body up and going. You will feel alive.

4. Stimulate your mind.

Getting your mind active is just as important as getting your body active. Read, write, learn something new, figure out a puzzle, or listen to an opposing opinion. Anything that gets your brain working and thinking will give you a sense of purpose to your day.

5. Eat something green.

Eating something green always makes you feel better about your day. (Artificially colored green things don’t count, sorry.)

6. Do something nice.

Doing something nice for someone is one of the best ways to feel purposeful. Open the door for a stranger, let someone go in front of you in line, give money to the homeless man on the street, or even just give someone a genuine compliment. By making someone else feel happy, you will feel good in return. You will see how a single moment can affect your whole attitude.

7. Spare yourself a few minutes to “think.”

Sit down with a cup or tea or a cocktail and reflect on whatever it is that is going on in your life. Think about things you want to do or figure out what in your life makes you happy and what doesn’t. Spend time just sitting and breathing and clearing your head. It sounds like something really small but taking time for yourself is extremely beneficial.

8. Try to catch the sunrise or sunset.

The sunrise and sunset are a special time of the day. The way the colors paint the sky and the way the light shines down is something magical. Watching how the sky changes so fast will make you think about life and what its all about. You will feel inspired and you will feel a deep connection while watching the sun come up or go down. The sunrise will give you hope and excitement for the day ahead while the sunset will give you time to think and reflect on what today meant to you. I don’t always catch the sunrise or sunset every day, but when I do, I never regret it.

9. Say “I love you” or “Thank you.”

Expressing love and gratitude is something everyone can benefit from on a daily basis. Saying “I love you” and “thank you” are so simple. So why not say it to the people that you love and want to thank?

10. Find something to be happy about every day.

A wise old Macedonian man once told me “find something to be happy about every day.” He is right. There are plenty of things in our lives that we can feel lucky for and appreciate. No matter what is going on in your life, there is always something you can find to smile about at the end of the day.