10 Things That Will Improve Your Life, Happiness and Productivity

“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey,
you will be in love forever.” – Peter Hagerty

1. Nature heals

You may not realize it until you sneak out of your premises and spend time with greens . Ongoing researches have confirmed that  daily dose of nature helps in improving your overall well being and reducing stress. Survey  has found those who spend time outside are merrier than those remain indoors. Nature connect also adds to your feeling of vitality,creativity and energy, which will ultimately lead to increase in productivity at workplace.

2. Stay fit

Fitness is not about being better than others, but it is all about getting better than what you used to be. Exercise or fitness regimen is considered the most necessary part of our lifestyle today, but very few adhere to it. Routine workout is not simply necessary for your health but it has numerous other benefits. It helps you look better, improves sleep, increases libido and makes you feel happier. A Harvard study on a group of men for more than 70 years identified regular workout as one of the secrets to a good life.

3. Make time for friends and family

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

When Walt Disney stated that “A man should never neglect his family for business”, he meant that life has no worth without loved ones. Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert recognizes that time spent with family and friends is greatest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think (approximately an extra $131,232 a year). Loneliness or social disconnect can be detrimental and can lead you into depression and other health problems. The  longest living people insist on social engagement and good relationships as key to a long life than even exercise. In good time or bad, a friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart. Therefore, friends are key to improving your life. Never fail to make time for family and friends.

4. Be Grateful

“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu

Express your gratitude to make yourself happy, while making others feel good. Being grateful will bridge the gap and improve your relationships. It can make you a better person. The greatest source of happiness is being grateful for all that you possess.

5. Practice Meditation

As someone said, ‘Meditation is like breaking out of personal prison and finding paradise’. Meditation makes you aware of self, makes you happier and gives new meaning to life. Meditation helps you in  reducing anger, anxiety, depression, fatigue and adds to your attention span. Prayer is when you talk to god and through mediation god talks to you.

6. Sleep Is More Important Than You Think

“Your life is a reflection of how you sleep, and how you sleep is a reflection of
your life.” – Dr. Rafael Pelayo

Sleep is like investing in energy, which will make you effective the next day. If you cheat yourself on sleep, it is bound to affect you adversely. Without necessary sleep, mind and body remains tired, which in turn influences your health, happiness and productivity. You are likely to become sick, irritable and fall short on decision making qualities.

If not long hours, even short naps are energizers. Naps enhance alertness, your performance on the job, learning ability. No sooner you realize that one of the most productive work you do is good night sleep, make you better.

7. Let The Challenges In

There’s lot more you can do than you actually thought you could. Challenges make life interesting and overcoming them will make it meaningful. Every challenge you take is meant to benefit you by making better you. Increasing willpower just takes a little effort each day and it’s more responsible for your success than IQ. Not getting an education or taking advantage of opportunities are two of the things people look back on their lives and regret the most.

8. Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Life is any day better when you laugh. Laughter is the best medicine to cope stress, reduce risk of heart attack and stroke, improve immunity and live longer. Laughter, like sleep is a daily vitamin which heals and cures.

9. Touch Heals

A hug, a warm handshake or a simple pat can help in reducing stress, improve  performance, and help you be persuasive. A kiss or passionate love making can not only help prevent dreaded diseases like cancer, heart attacks and improve immunity but also add years to your life.

10. Remain Optimistic

Hope is like a whisper, which comes in, when the entire world says ‘No’. Optimism or being hopeful can make you healthier, happier and enhance your lifespan. ‘Hope’ is one of the three essentials of life, other than something to do and someone to love.

Check out our 5 favorite books on happiness, life and productivity:

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Originally found at http://read.plash.in/2015/02/09/10-things-every-day-improve-life-happiness-productivity-2/