Most people want to be healthier. But with so many factors that play into our daily lives, it can be difficult to summon up the time and effort to make the necessary changes. It’s important to remember that with a minor adjustment here and a little tweak there, you can start to feel real benefits. Consider our list a way to dip your toes in the proverbial waters of better health with the option to dive in deeper whenever you’d like!

Bring a big ol’ bottle of water to work.

Whether you’re a desk dweller or you’re on your feet all day, designate a hydration station! Grab yourself a 32-ounce refillable bottle and make it a goal to get through the whole thing (if not more) before your work day ends. It’s the easiest thing in the world to stay on top of your hydration once you get in the habit of remembering to take water breaks. 

Think a positive thought every morning.

As we’ve previously explored, one habit of successful people is setting their intention for the day and basking in positive thoughts before anything else. When we will something to happen, we tend to make more of an effort to make that thing happen. By that same chain of logic, if we believe we’re going to have a beautifully healthy day, it’s far more likely that our day will go as we wish!

Smile at a stranger.

Believe us: There is a non-creepy way to smile at strangers, even if it takes a bit of practice. Not only will you make yourself feel better with one simple facial expression but you’ll also pass those positive vibes on to another person. The health benefit of smiling is a two-way street, and it’s one of the easiest ways to fill your day with a mental health win-win.

Try one new thing to improve your sleep.

Sleep is such an entwined part of our life, it’s easy to forget just how badly we need it sometimes. Sleep deprivation affects our entire body and limits how well we can function throughout the day. So try any of the following and see if they can help you get a better night’s sleep:

• White noise machine
• Weighted blanket
• Melatonin
• Avoiding screens for 30 minutes before bed
• Exercising in the evening
• Avoiding caffeine

Schedule in time with a friend.

We say schedule because we know just how busy life can get. But if you think about your mental well-being as a priority the same way you would consider a deadline at work, you’ll be more willing to make that time for yourself! Even if it’s just grabbing a coffee or lunch with someone close to you, venting and catching up can improve your entire week.

Stick to a half-and-half rule for meals.

No, we don’t mean the dairy product. When you eat lunch or dinner, literally make sure that half of your plate is vegetables. That may sound extreme, but it’s not. That’s roughly the daily dosage you should be getting, while the remaining half can be protein or carbs. Forget what restaurants tell you about “a side of broccoli” — it should take up half the plate! Your fiber intake will thank you, and vegetables actually help you stay more hydrated thanks to their water content too.

Consider adding a supplement to your life.

Although it’s best to get our vitamins and nutrients from real whole foods, sometimes supplements can help us in a pinch. But everyone’s body is different, so there’s no way for us to say which supplement would be helpful for you specifically. But a few good places to start are soluble fiber and fish oil. Fiber helps with a number of things like regularity, blood sugar and cholesterol. Fish oil loads you up with omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower risk of heart disease and inflammation and even promote better brain health! Oh, and then there’s always prebiotics and probiotics to give you a healthier gut.

So now that you see it doesn’t take a lot of planning or strain to make these little attempts at better health, which one are you going to start with? Or do you already have ways to sneak better mental and physical well-being into your day? Let us know!