In the 21st century our lives are packed with people, errands, work and other essential factors, and they always pile up without planning any of them! It may seem like your life is just going by while you're getting up early in the morning, going to work or school, barely fitting in breakfast or lunch, and getting back home exhausted and ready to fall asleep. After a long day running around the town, house, work, or school, we feel as if we have done so much, but fall asleep completely unsatisfied. It seems as if our lives are living us and not the other way around.
I think that, no matter how busy our seconds may seem, we should always be able to find the time for the things that we need for our physical and mental health. Those should be the priority for everybody and finding time for these ten things in your day could help you feel productive and satisfied.
1. Sleep
This is the first, and foremost, factor that determines how we spend our day. According to various studies one should get at least eight hours of sleep per night. It might seem like it’s not enough, but it does wonders. Getting enough sleep daily helps the brain to function properly throughout the day, diminishes stress, and assists in achieving more goals.
2. Drink Water
As we live our busy lives we might forget about what our body asks of us. Water is always it. Keeping your body hydrated helps prevent headaches, dizziness, dry skin, fatigue, etc. Every cell, tissue, and organ in our body requires water to function properly. The best amount is approximately 6 to 8 glasses per day.
3. Eat Wholesome Foods and Vegetables
Sometimes, lost in our busy schedules, we tend to forget to eat, or end up eating the closest thing that we can get our hands on, which sometimes can be very unhealthy. However, obtaining the right nutrition and vitamins daily is crucial for good health and lasting energy. Vegetables and fruits are a must for everyday eating. According to Whole Foods, eating organic fruits and vegetables could increase your antitoxin intake by anything from 20 percent to 40 percent. It is important to get the right amount of various vitamins through fruits, vegetables, nuts, protein bars, and other healthy foods.
4. Exercise
I have a theory that if you eat perfectly, drink enough water, and get the right amount of sleep, yet do not exercise, it could still reflect on your mood and health. I understand that sometimes we simply “don’t have time” or are “too tired,” but those are just excuses. It is always possible to find at least fifteen to thirty minutes a day to go for a jog, jump rope, do squats, or do some sit ups. By exercising, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins reduce our perception of pain and help us feel better and more positive. If you feel tired and it’s not even noon yet, try going for a quick jog. It will give you enough energy to get through the day!
5. Read
We should read every day. Whether it’s an article online, a newspaper, a magazine, or a book–reading is crucial. We help our minds grow and develop by reading. We are constantly learning new things, applying our knowledge to different topics, expanding our imagination, and improving our writing and speaking skills. Make sure to make some time for yourself at the end of the day to read an article or a good book.
6. Write
We don’t have to keep diaries to write down our daily lives, but keeping a journal could never harm anyone. We, as humans, have one of the most incredible capabilities–to express our feelings and opinions. I, personally, always keep a journal near by so that when I get a random idea, thought, or remember a task that I need to do I can quickly jot it down. Writing helps us improve our self-expression and learn how to express our thoughts to others. It helps us formulate our sentences correctly and keep our rambling minimal. Also, writing something down will help you to remember that very important thought or question that you had earlier. Forgetting can be very frustrating!
7. Unplug
We are completely addicted to our technology. It is as if our whole life is in that small screen that we call an iPhone, iPad, or laptop. But I have news for you, it’s not! Life is something that is beyond the technology. It’s the nature, friends, family, books, and, most importantly, ourselves. By unplugging you will allow yourself experience and feel more daily. It is never a bad thing to take the time off from technology to help our body and brain get some rest.
8. Listen to Music
One of the best things in life is art. Sitting down and listening to your favorite song helps you to relax and temporarily forget the busy and intense world that is around you. Good music can inspire or motivate us to keep going. By singing aloud we can even release all the stress that we build up over the course of the day.
9. Observe Nature
Whether you live in a big city or a small town you should take some time to observe beautiful plants, birds, and the nature itself. Nature plays a big part in our lives, so making the time to connect with it could cause you to relax. Busy streets with people and cars rushing in different directions can make it seem like the time is flying by very quickly. By getting away from daily hectic schedules and taking the time to reconnect to nature we can cleanse and refresh our minds.
10. Help others
If you choose to think that everything mentioned above is useless or unnecessary, or if you simply choose to not follow the rest of this list, make sure that you follow this one. Helping others is one of the most important things that you can do in your life. Whether it is volunteering at a homeless shelter or donating to a charity, helping those who are less fortunate is a must to us as human beings. One could create/invent the greatest item in the world, but helping those in need will always be the greatest thing that a human being can do.
