Change your life for the Better

Alaa Jaffar

Change surrounds us and it is the one thing that has the most dramatic impact on our lives. Change has the ability to catch up with us at some point in our lives. There is no way to avoid it because it will find you, challenge you and force you to reconsider how you live your life.

Changing your life for the better is about you, the details of your life, your specific environment, your goals, aspirations and motivation to continue to strive for a fulfilled and healthy life. Life is a journey, and one of the best ways to change your life is to create positive habits.

John C. Marwell once said:

"You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine."

There are few habits that will change your life for the better:

1) Morning and Bedtime affirmations

Affirmations are great tools for interrupting old or negative thought patterns. You can use this kind of positive self-talk to form new neural pathways in your brain, strengthening the beliefs that serve you and giving less attention to what stress you out.

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change you whole day.” -Dalai Lami

So, set aside a little time at the beginning of the day for positive affirmations like:

• I am free of pain

• Today is my day

• Today I will change my life

• Success will find me today

• Unlimited energy will fill me today

Also, bedtime affirmations help you fall asleep and have a deep and restful night. Here are some bedtime affirmations:

• I am calm and peaceful

• I’m grateful for this day’s opportunities

• My mind is restful

• I am proud of myself

• Everything I did today leads to a better tomorrow

2) Exercise

Exercise boosts your confidence and energy levels. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and gives you time to think which leads to better mental well-being in your life overall.

Also, becoming more physically active generates brain chemical called endorphins that leave you feeling relaxed and more content.

Make exercise a pleasurable activity. There’s no sense to run if you don't like running. Find a type of exercise that you like and practice it.

3) Gratitude

The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’ve thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness and even have stronger immune system.

Start appreciating every good thing in life. Dig a little deeper into some of your own past experiences and try to figure out how they have helped shape you into the person you are today.

Overall, changing your life is possible but it takes strong convictions and mental perseverance. And remember if you really want something so strong you’ll get it.