Some Tiny Changes To Transform Your Life – You May Like To Try Some!

Hi Folks, thought I would place something Interesting; Fun Loving; Engaging here for THIS YEAR - it's amazing what you find in this list.
See how many you would like to try, hey?

Would you like more Health and Happiness without having to work too hard at it?
Here are some tried and tested tweaks that can lead to big improvements.
These people have some really great ideas.
Here's 40+ from different professions and walks in life!

From The Guardian

Putting a smile on my face the moment I wake up.
It tricks the brain into thinking: ooh, I feel quite good about today!
It’s such a simple thing and it really works.
Gaby Roslin author of Spread the Joy

Leaving my phone downstairs at night.
I bought a Lumie alarm clock to wake me up instead.
It’s helped me to avoid scrolling through news or social media late at night.
I sleep better, I feel less stressed and I am much calmer.
Joe Wicks, fitness coach

Taking a two-minute cold shower every morning.
Often, I wake up feeling depressed and low in energy,
but two minutes under the cold water makes me capable of facing the day.
Kaitlin Kalk, mental health worker, North Carolina, USA

Walking outdoors every day.
I find it hugely beneficial for my mental and physical health,
which has had a domino effect on my whole life.
It means that – pardon the pun – I start every day on the right foot.
Dr Alex George, mental health ambassador
and TV and podcast presenter

Realising I must cry, whether faced with joy or sadness.
When my granddaughter died in 2021, I felt as if I had to be strong,
but my body broke down and I was ill. Eventually, I let myself cry
. Now, I do so regularly – it makes me stronger and better able
to cope with the stress of life.
Derrick Evans, AKA Mr Motivator, fitness instructor

Doing a timed 10-minute tidy with my partner and kids every day.
This has improved the cleanliness of the house significantly.
Untidiness no longer drags down the mood.
It also means we don’t need to do lengthy chores at the weekend.
Polina, software engineer, London

Reading the ingredients on my food.
Everything was full of emulsifiers, flavourings, colourings, humectants,
stabilisers, preservatives, modified starches and sweeteners.
I figured if I didn’t know what it was, I shouldn’t eat it. I lost 30kg
and feel more joyful.
Dr Xand van Tulleken, doctor and TV presenter

Resisting the convenience of the supermarket.
I try to shop in specialist shops: hardware for lightbulbs,
grocers for vegetables, fishmongers for – well, you get it.
Investing in community works out cheaper,
feels less dystopian and is strangely relaxing.
Rhik Samadder, Actor and Writer

Becoming comfortable with uncertainty.
Rather than feel lost, I take a pause, stop the spiral of anxious thoughts
and remind myself that, when nothing is certain, anything is possible.
Dr Ranj Singh, Doctor and TV Presenter

No longer saying Yes when my Gut says No –
even if I risk ruffling someone’s feathers.
Simply doing what you can, when you can,
fuels your own happiness and preserves the gas
you have in the tank to be of service to others.
Adriene Mishler, Yoga Instructor

Eating Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit for breakfast.
It has had the most profound impact. My mood is way steadier,
as I have no carb crash from cereal or oatmeal.
I wish I had done this 20 years earlier.
Matt Chapman, creative director, New Jersey, US

Writing in the morning.
I used to think writing creatively was a night-time activity –
despite waking with a head full of ideas. Now, I write first thing,
before listening to the news, looking at screens or even talking to anyone.
Nine Stibbe, Author

Unfollowing the fashion retailers
I used to frequent and unsubscribing from their mailing lists.
This made it possible for me to stop buying fast fashion –
you don’t miss what you don’t see.
Aja Barber, sustainable fashion Writer

Taking more hours than I think I need for sleep.
After a brief stint wearing a sleep tracker,
I realised I wasn’t getting as much shuteye as I thought.
Now, if I want to get eight hours of sleep,
I give myself nine hours to achieve it.
Coco Khan, writer and co-host of Pod Save the UK

Starting each day with a gratitude exercise.
Whether it’s a simple smile from my son or a big award at work,
acknowledging three things I’m thankful for each morning
ignites curiosity, amplifies appreciation and fuels productivity.
Paul C Brunson, matchmaker and life coach

Removing my work email account from my phone.
My job glorified overworking, despite its obvious negative impact,
with numerous colleagues experiencing burnout.
Now, I’m working on not taking my laptop with me on my holidays. Baby steps …
Anonymous, the Netherlands

Committing to intermittent fasting.
I eat only between 11am and 7pm daily.
I find it means I sleep better, snack less, feel more focused and have more energy.
Most of all, food tastes amazing.
Annie Macmanus, broadcaster and writer

Getting direct sunlight in the morning.
Even if it’s only for five minutes, it makes a huge difference to my circadian rhythms and overall mood. This former night owl now wakes naturally at dawn and goes to sleep soon after the sun sets – it’s amazing!
Sara Miller, retired, Arkansas, US

Embracing washing up.
When I hated doing the dishes, even delicious meals ended on a low. Now, my children and I do it together, with music on. It becomes a game and it’s so much less burdensome. There’s satisfaction in restoring order.
Bee Wilson, food writer

Consciously choosing my first and last thoughts each day.
We have 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day, but 80% of them are repetitive and negative. Every morning, I choose an empowering thought; every night, I choose a grateful thought, which helps shift my mindset.
Jay Shetty, life coach

Cutting Out Dairy Milk.
While staying with friends who didn’t drink milk, I grumblingly used their oat milk for my coffee and discovered I was free of the intestinal cramps that had plagued me. I had no idea you could become lactose intolerant later in life.
Ellen Gruber Garvey, English professor, New York, USA

Taking Micro Moments of Rest throughout my day.
Offering myself a few moments to pause helps me orient my attention
and heart to what matters most.
It has dramatically affected the way that I live, parent, work and play.
Ashley Neese, author of Permission to Rest

Using a slow cooker to batch cook healthy meals.
The leftovers go in the freezer and become quick weekday suppers or lunches.
My husband says it’s helping him eat more healthily
and it helps me with portion control, too.
Danie Jones, administrator, East Anglia

Logging out of my social media accounts on Friday night.
On weekends, I go social-media-free. I’ve started reading books instead.
I feel that my attention span has improved and I am much more productive.
Anonymous, Minnesota, US

Taking a five-minute break from work every 90 minutes.
I’ve put it in my calendar and don’t let anything get in the way of it.
These short breaks give me a chance to settle my mind
and keep me from being overwhelmed at work.
Benito, accountant, Kentucky, US

Focusing on Joy, rather than Willpower.
I started exercising only when I found activities I adored (tennis, dancing);
I started eating copious amounts of vegetables only when I found dishes I loved.
And I started writing only when I took to working in sunny cafe windows.
Susan Cain, author of Bittersweet and Quiet
and host of the Quiet Life community

Sharing My “Sweet Spots”.
These are moments in the day, week or year when you feel good, in the flow of things, proud of yourself, supported, creative. You share them with someone else and they share theirs back. Doing this has given me confidence
in my relationships, my work and myself.
Lisabel Link, Content Creator

Changing my Commute.
Instead of taking a packed tube, I now walk through Regent’s Park. I was not previously interested in spending time in Nature, but I have found so much solace and inspiration in creating this daily buffer zone.
Anita Chaudhuri, Writer

Reducing my consumption of Processed Foods.
The impact of this change has been great. I don’t feel as hungry as before;
I don’t crave sugary foods; I have tons of energy;
and my cognitive function has improved a lot.
Afroditi Stathi, England

Not setting a morning alarm.
During the pandemic, I found I didn’t need to set one. Now, I very rarely do. It means I don’t start the day with the hideous stress of the alarm going off –
I wake up naturally, when I’ve had enough sleep.
Dr Neil Stanley, Sleep Expert

Listening to classical music on the radio.
I used to listen to the news during dinner,
but since I switched to music
I feel much less stressed and much happier.
Anonymous, New Orleans, US

Making homemade soup to eat at work.
It nourishes twice over: when I make it and when I eat it. It’s a small act of self-care.
Robin, MD, Christchurch, New Zealand

Following the “one-minute rule”.
If there’s a task I can do in less than one minute –
hanging up my coat; answering an email – I do it without delay.
It’s astonishing what you can accomplish, one minute at a time.
Gretchen Rubin, author, podcaster and speaker

Making lunch my main meal of the day.
I realised I did not have the energy or interest to prepare a large meal a few hours before bed, so I shifted my cooking enthusiasm to a late lunch. My kitchen skills have improved and I no longer feel that meal preparation is a chore.
Della R Chavez, retired government employee,
New Mexico, US

Eating a Gut-Friendly Diet.
I realised that food is my biggest ally for good health, so, at every meal,
I eat food that is good for me – and enjoy eating it,
thanks to my trillions of gut microbes.
Prof Tim Spector, author and co-founder of Zoe

Going cold-water swimming.
At first, it was more of a lark than anything, but I now swim several times a week. I am fitter and happier – and it gets me up close to nature, so I am turning into a birder, too.
Joy, writer and lawyer, London

Doing a timed 10-minute tidy with my partner and kids every day.
This has improved the cleanliness of the house significantly.
Untidiness no longer drags down the mood.
It also means we don’t need to do lengthy chores at the weekend.
Polina, software engineer, London

Putting my head under the bedcovers.
Life can be overstimulating, but I find that I can reset my brain
in just 10 to 15 minutes by cutting out the world completely.
When I emerge, I feel calmer.
Anonymous, Bath in England

Embracing my introverted nature.
I thought I was shy and not as “out there” as I should be,
but recognising that I’m an introvert has enabled me
to get the quietness I need to recharge my batteries.
Alice Haddon, Writer

Being honest in areas of my life.
I always used to say I was fine when I wasn’t. It takes getting used to,
but this small, simple change has had a big impact and given me a newfound freedom.
Tony Marnoch, AKA DJ Fat Tony,
author of I Don’t Take Requests

Getting direct sunlight in the morning.
Even if it’s only for five minutes, it makes a huge difference
to my circadian rhythms and overall mood.
This former night owl now wakes naturally at dawn
and goes to sleep soon after the sun sets – it’s amazing!
Sara Miller, retired, Arkansas, US

Switching from a sweet breakfast to a savoury one.
It keeps my glucose levels steady.
Now, I can go through my days without cravings,
with steady energy, feeling like myself.
Jessie Inchauspé, biochemist and author

Using a soap that reminds me of a vacation.
I use a soap I brought home from Yucatán in Mexico only on weekends and holidays. The smell shifts my mind from work mode to relaxation, with fond memories. This small soap makes a big difference.
Anonymous, Colorado, US

Bringing in a small water filter for staff to use at work.
I used to hate the taste of the water, but my colleagues and I are now drinking three times as much. Everyone is much happier and two people have stopped having headaches.
Madeline Stoker, teacher, Wisconsin, US

Learning how to put myself back to sleep when I wake in the night.
This has eliminated anxiety and the need for sleep medication.
I use slow, rhythmic, deep breathing – and never look at a clock.
Candice Etz, retired, Santa Barbara, US

Giving myself kind advice and encouragement –
as I would give a loved one – has been a gamechanger. Rather than telling myself to throw in the towel, I find that affirming messages help me get hard things done.
Shahroo Izadi, behavioural change specialist

Lenore Taylor

Editor, Guardian Australia

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE A SHORT TIP IN COMMENTS?
IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME READERS IDEAS!

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