7 Ways to Improve Your Life

With the hectic life most Canadians lead, many of us have adopted some not-so-healthy habits and get stuck in thoughts that don’t serve us very well. By letting go of some things that might bring us down, we may start to have less stress and more contentment on a daily basis.

Following are seven things that may brighten your life overall.

Stop worrying about what happened in the past. There are some things you can’t change, so letting go of them with a sense of self-forgiveness can do wonders for helping you feel lighter. The past is the past and focusing too much on things that have gone on before, professionals say, is a leading cause of anxiety and depression, so live in the moment as much as you can.

Give up needing to control everything. Most everyone is a little bit controlling at times, but if you find yourself wanting to control everything in your life, your happiness level may be significantly lower. It can also drive your loved ones and colleagues a little batty, so you might want to relax a little and just go with the flow.

Embrace change. If you’re constantly afraid of what’s coming next, your ability to enjoy each moment wanes. Embracing change is one way to quell fears of the unknown, whatever those fears may be.

Over-scheduling. If you’re like most Canadians you want to fit as much in day as humanly possibly, but if you spread yourself too thin and pack more onto your calendar than you can possibly handle, you’ll end up more frazzled than organized. Take some time to think about which tasks you really want or need to accomplish, and which can wait or be given the ax entirely.

Stop comparing yourself to others. You’re unique. You’re not better or worse than anyone. Focus on what makes you your special self rather than continually comparing yourself to others which might only set you up for feeling “less than.”

What others think of you is none of your business. You’re not here to have everyone’s approval, so worrying about what other people think is not conducive to your positive mental health. Dance to your own beat and never mind who’s saying what about it.

Get out of your comfort zone. Doing things you’re afraid to do or that make you feel a bit uncomfortable will help you grow as a person. Setting challenging goals and exceeding them will make your light shine brightly.