Last night, I snapped this photo while walking Chief and reflecting on self improvement. I started a list for myself and ended up with a blog post that I hope will be useful for you, too.
1. Stretch a little before you get out of bed.
2. Buy a portable water bottle/cup and refill it often.
My son bought this S’well one for me for Christmas and I love it. It keeps liquids hot or cold for hours.
3. Prepare five days worth of breakfast in advance.
4. To save time, separate your
essential six or seven make-up products.
Store them in a glass container on the counter and leave all the non-essentials in the drawer for special occasions.
5. Sign up for a yoga class. I am trying a new one in our neighborhood and I signed up on-line.
6. Volunteer through websites like these or with your church or temple.
7. Buy a new magazine subscription
I want this one.
8. Use the stairs.
9. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale.
Try it now.
10. Buy a steps tracker (like Fitbit) and get in extra steps like marching in place while brushing your teeth. I am so happy my ankle is getting better everyday after my injury.
11. Make a new song play list with energizing music.
We have the Apple Music Family Monthly Membership for unlimited downloads. I love that they have recommended songs just for me. You can check out Pandora or Spotify, too.
12. Go for a walk with your new play list
My husband gave me these wireless ear phones and the sound is great…
13. Put on a hydrating/cleansing face creme while taking a warm bath.
My manicurist gave me this advice as
the conditioner doesn’t dry out your skin like soap.
15. Donate clothes/shoes you never wear.
16. Do the plank pose
or sit-ups during TV commercials.
17. Create five days of outfits.
18. Call someone you love just to hear their voice.
(I loved hearing my sweet cousin’s from New Jersey voice today. Thanks for calling, Patricia).
19. Make your own body scrub. Mix 1/2 cup coconut oil with 1/2 cup organic sugar. Leave in a jar in your shower.
20. Schedule lunch with an old friend.
21. Store fruit and vegetables in handy, visible containers.
22. Reread a favorite classic book.
and clean out your drawer.
24. Brew green tea to keep in the fridge for iced tea. It has antioxidants and according to Web MD:
Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea seems to help keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause.
Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Green tea seems to help keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause.
25. Organize your shirts by color and then sleeve length.
26. Try dark roasted organic peanut butter
with nothing else added like hydrogenated oils or sugar.
27. Schedule exercise on your calendar (like an appointment).
28. Put vitamins/pills in a weekly pill box (CVS gave me a free one). These vitamins are the tastiest I’ve tried. I also add Vitamin D and a Fish Oil tablet.
29. Sit up straight and tighten your stomach while at your desk, driving or sitting still (like right now, ok?) to strengthen your core.
30. Don’t worry. It is a wasted emotion.
My husband’s advice…easier said than done. Especially in the middle of the night.
31. Get a flu shot. I didn’t want to either but I got mine at the pharmacy in the grocery store. Wasn’t bad.
32. Smile more. A smile and some of these can make you look gorgeous.
I’m printing this out for my bulletin board:
Note: There are some affiliate links in this post, which may give me a very small commission if you buy anything. Like I was surprised that a bunch of you took my advice on the Rummikub Game…it’s fun, right? I only recommend things I like personally and would provide the link to anyway.
WELCOME 2017…COME TO MAMA!
What brand is that bra? It looks unstructured and comfortable. Hard to find.
It’s from Gap Body…there is a link 🙂