Tips - Page: 9 BECOME A VOLUNTEER There are lots of volunteering opportunities out there. Be it at an animal shelter, an old age home, or even within a community based project. Volunteering can be very rewarding, so get involved today. ... WALK ON THE WILD SIDE A park is fine, but the less manicured and the more “natural” the area the better. Pay attention to the sounds, sights, and smells. Take photos or videos and share them with others and tell them how it made you feel to be out there. ... EAT WELL - AVOID TRANS FATS Eating foods containing trans fats (hydrogenated) can make you feel depressed. In lieu of processed foods, choose to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, such as those you can find at a farmers’ market. ... TIDY UP Small things like picking up litter or creating communal gardens can help to make your local area a nicer place to live for everyone. Why not join a clean-up group or create your own. ... EXERCISE YOUR SMILE You can trick your brain to feel happy with a very easy exercise: Just smile. Don’t believe it? Try it. This result is due to neuro-linguistic programming, where an “anchor” or trigger (in this case a smile) cues the brain to feel the same feelings it had the last time those muscles were used. ... SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS The best ways to support local businesses is to spend money with them. You can also like and follow them on social media, share positive reviews online and tell friends about them. ... MONITOR YOUR CAFFEINE INTAKE If you have difficulty sleeping, caffeine could be the culprit. Try cutting back on caffeinated drinks, and limit yourself to drinking them early in the day. And if that doesn’t help, try cutting out caffeine altogether. ... DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE As we start a new year, why not look at decluttering your home. Set aside 15 minutes a day for decluttering, and remember, the most difficult step is getting started. You will be amazed at how great you’ll begin to feel as your life becomes less cluttered. ... GO PLAY Why not have fun with your family and friends. Have a watergun fight, run a race for fun, blow bubbles, throw a frisbee, skip rope, make mud pies or even jump in the air and take a selfie. Whatever it is that makes you smile spontaneously, do it. ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
