Is it possible to make every day of your life feel like a party? Probably not — bad days happen, after all. But you can make most days happier, calmer, and more mindful. You’ll be surprised how much a simple, seemingly insignificant task, such as drinking a glass of water or walking barefoot in the grass, can help you to reconnect with the essentials in life. Just follow these 10 easy-to-adopt ideas to make your daily routine more joyful and beautiful.
1.Regularly sort, recycle and throw away
To create a sense of well-being, it’s crucial to avoid being surrounded by useless things that just clutter up your life and have a negative impact on your living environment. (And unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know Marie Kondo has plenty to say about that!) So instead of allowing all that clutter to build up on your dining room table, sort through all the mail and junk. Designate a place for everything so you’ll be able to find objects with more ease — you’ll instantly feel calmer in an organized home and you’ll save time in the long run. Remember when sorting through any unwanted items to have a bag ready for donations.
2. Walk barefoot in nature
Take a break to unplug: walking barefoot in the grass, or in the sand, is a way of reconnecting with the essential. That link with nature is always good for the soul. But better still, lie down on the grass and soak up all the energy seeping up from the ground. City-dwellers, try going to your local park for a spot of nature.
3. Break from routine
There’s no denying this is a real challenge, but try shaking things up a little. The idea is to avoid slipping into a routine that’s solely determined by the clock. With a hint of whimsy, try varying your habits to look at life from another angle. Wake up earlier to take your time in the morning, or take an afternoon off work to pick your kids up from school (even better when they’re not expecting you!) and you just might find that your daily grind takes on a whole new flavor.
4. Drink freshly squeezed lemon juice in the morning
No, that’s not a typo where the word “orange” should be: We’re literally suggesting you make lemonade out of those lemons. Instead of kicking off the day with a coffee or O.J., squeeze a lemon and mix in a bit of lukewarm water. This drink is not only great for your complexion, it’s full of other health advantages. Rich in vitamin C and in anti-oxidants, a detox lemon juice will help your whole immune system while limiting those hunger pangs. Plus, this cocktail is guaranteed to bring a little zest to your morning!
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5. Get outside
Breaks are limited when you’re spending the whole day in front of a computer screen. Even if you’re in the city, taking a few minutes to pop out and feel the wind, the sun’s rays, or even the splash of rain on your skin. A quick walk around the block will recharge your batteries.
6. Take note of all the good moments
Carefully choose a pretty little notebook and use it to jot down all of life’s little pleasures you encounter each day, one that are otherwise often fleeting and soon forgotten. Have fun listing why life is so beautiful and while you’re at it, why not get your children involved? Before they go to sleep, ask them about their little moments of happiness that day, and spend some special time together full of gratitude.
7. Turn chores into joys … yes, it can be done!
Put on a bit of music while doing the washing up or ask your kids to give you a hand with the cooking. Just because dinner prep is a must on the daily routine list doesn’t mean it can’t pull double-duty as a moment to have a good time. It’s just a question of perspective. By adding a touch of spice and the flavor of fun, things may be a little less perfect, but worth savoring all the more.
8. Stretch like a cat
A forgotten natural reflex, but stretching helps to unknot all those little tensions built up over time and relaxes the body in order to prevent stress from settling in. In the morning when you wake up, before placing a foot on the floor, have a good stretch, just like your cat, to start the day with a smile. A very simple gesture that can be repeated without moderation!
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9. Get hands-on
Due to carrying out more mentally stimulating activities, with eyes stuck to our screens, we tend to forget the more manual activities that are actually essential. Take the time to bake a great cake, create a pretty flower arrangement, paint or draw … Being in contact with actual materials is a sweet reminder of our carefree childhoods.
10. Sprinkle a few surprises on top of your day
Spread a few little surprises here and there just for the sake of enjoyment. For children, for sweethearts, or for yourself, these daily little thoughts are a way of taking care of our loved ones and ourselves. Make a great meal, or plan a family weekend, or even just add a sweet little note and place it on the fridge; the ideas are endless. Forget waiting for occasions and make your own!
This article was originally published in the French version of Aleteia.
