Change Your life by Changing These 3 Daily Habits The key to a happier, healthier, less stressful day could lie in your morning habits. Make these changes and reap the benefits all day long. Stop Trying to Multitask Brushing up on notes for your 9am meeting, making breakfast, watching the morning news, and getting your kids ready for school…all at the same time? You may think it’s the only way to get everything done, but it turns out that only two percent of us can actually multitask without dropping the ball. For the rest of us, our brains only get more overwhelmed than if we stuck to one thing at a time. Instead…embrace monotasking! If you’re trying to get through your to-do list, complete one thing at a time…and do it without also checking your phone or watching TV. And don’t forget to take a breather—short breaks will actually help improve your focus. Stop Skipping Breakfast Gulping down a cup of coffee and flying out the door every weekday could save you some time in the morning…but it’s not good for the rest of your day. By morning, your body’s burned off the previous evening’s meal—skip refueling with breakfast and you’re setting yourself up for a sluggish start to the day. In fact, one study found that people who ate after waking up had an 89 percent reduction in anxiety when dealing with a challenging situation—and dealt with the dilemma faster than when they skip breakfast. Instead…eat a breakfast that’s good for your mood and stress levels. Can’t handle a big meal? Try adding a source of omega-3 fatty acids—like flaxseed or chia seeds—to a serving of yogurt. “One of the most basic ways that omega-3s help to regulate mood is by quieting down the [bodys] response to inflammation,” researcher Joe Hibbeln tells NPR. Or, go for classic eggs—the protein keeps you full so you don’t crash before lunch. Stop Letting Your Commute Drive You Crazy A bad commute is bad for your health and your happiness—it can add stress, put a damper on your social life, and even lead to higher cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI (if you’re commuting by car or train). Instead…look for opportunities to make the best of it. For some of us, changing our commute in a major way means changing our job, which is unrealistic. But small tweaks can make a big difference. If switching from driving to biking, walking, or taking public transportation is an option (even a few days a week), try it—studies show that trading in your car commute for a bus pass hugely improves psychological well-being. You might even want to strike up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to you—research has found that it makes for a more positive commuting experience.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:41:20 +0000
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