In our busy lives, it can be challenging to find time for self-improvement. A recent internet poll asked what things we can do in just 30 minutes that will make our lives better, and here are the top 20 answers.
Exercise
“Like dancing! It doesn’t have to be good or even on beat; just blast some music you love and sing, and jump around like an idiot for 30 minutes. Feels amazing.”
“Exercise is fantastic. But make sure to exercise in ways you enjoy.”
Prepare For The Next Day
“Clothes laid out, coffee maker set, lunch packed, purse and work bag ready to go.”
“Totally! I do this as well if I have an early morning.”
“I love doing that. Set up for a good next day.”
Eat Well
“Eating a good breakfast and packing a nutritious lunch makes a big difference for me.”
“Making myself a nice, healthy breakfast is key.”
“Sitting and enjoying a decent lunch without any work or life distractions is important.”
Make Your Bed
“Always start your day by making your bed; it’s your first accomplishment of the day and can motivate you towards the next one and to complete your other necessary tasks.”
“Making your bed each time you wake up is important.”
Coffee – Yum!
“I always take the time to make coffee really, really early in the morning.”
“I set my coffee brewing as soon as I come downstairs. Then, once it’s ready, I sit and drink two cups of coffee.”
“I vote for making and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.”
Walking
“Even if I only have 20-30 minutes to take a quick stroll around my neighborhood, it clears my head and makes me feel calm. I like to listen to the sounds of nature. Amazing what a quick little stroll can do for the mind, even during the most stressful of days.”
“Going for a walk after waking up in the morning!”
Reflecting On What You Have To Feel Thankful For
“I make a point to sit every day and feel thankful for everything good in my life. It doesn’t matter how bad my day is. I really think thankfulness has improved my life.”
“A daily gratitude practice is clinically proven to improve your mental health!”
Give Yourself Extra Time In The Morning
“I set my alarm for 30 minutes before I have to get out of bed. When it goes off, my dog knows it’s snuggle time and we have extra
time for cuddling.”
“Take those 30 minutes to be bored in the morning. It sounds crazy, but I find it better than meditating. Just let your mind wander; I find solutions to problems and daily motivation.”
Gardening
“Walking through it and seeing the daily progress brings me a lot of joy. And there’s something really special about eating a meal made with your own produce.”
“My husband takes a little time each day to tend the garden, and it brings him a lot of joy. I enjoy the harvest. He grows the ingredients, and then I cook the food. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Cleaning The House
“Instead of waiting for a pile-up of dishes to build up, clothes to fill the basket, trash to overflow (or other disasters), and having to do a giant cleaning day, just tidy up and hand vacuum for a few mins every day. It’s so much easier and less stressful.”
Brushing Your Teeth
“Even just once a day, it makes a difference; even after a drunken night out, I’ll still brush my teeth. And never forget flossing. Healthy teeth definitely make my life better.”
“Totally! I neglected my dental care during my teens due to mental health issues and paid for it in my 20s ($1300 for seven cavities).”
Reading For Pleasure
“Very rarely does a day go by that I don’t read at least a couple of chapters. Best relaxation in the world.”
“Reading is one of my favorite things to do.”
Taking A Shower
“You can be mindful or grateful while you’re at it, imagining stress leaving you along with your filth. I shower daily, more for my mental well-being than anything else.”
“I definitely agree with this! Showers are a very spiritual experience.”
Journaling
“It’s helped me cope so much with stress and anxiety and, after doing it for a few weeks, you really start to feel the benefits (increased confidence, less worrying, more gratitude and peace with myself) – writing things out just gets my mind working in the right way.”
“I like journaling because it helps gets things off your mind.”
Leaving The Kitchen Tidy After Dinner
“Cleaning the kitchen at the end of the night and putting the dishes away. Starts the day in a non-stressful landscape at the very least.”
“Having the dishes completely cleaned before bed is essential.”
Skincare
“Taking your makeup off at night. Also, skincare in general.”
“I’ve been consistently doing my skincare routine before bed for 1.5 years now, and my skin has never looked better.”
“Shower and skincare. After 8 hours in a warehouse, it’s amazing.”
Haircare
“I lay out any hair styling tools I will need for the next day, so I always have the time to keep my hair looking great.”
“I wash and blow dry my hair daily. I love clean hair; it really gives me a boost.”
Family Time
“Setting time aside to talk to family just to check in on them to see how they’re doing and catch up. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate family more, family isn’t perfect, and life gets busy, but it makes a world of difference to have and maintain a good relationship with family, even if it’s with just 1-3 family members.”
Listening To Music
“For even just 30 minutes, it’s nice just relaxing with no one talking and the lights out while I play music.”
“I just started doing my stretches to “powerful music” after waking up. It has improved my self-esteem.”
“Just playing some good music while relaxing is gold.”
Going Outside
“I know I need to go outside for both physical and mental reasons. I might be doing something inside and end up not even realizing the day is going until it’s pitch black outside. When I go outside, even just once for 30 mins, I feel light-years better and am more productive.”
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