8 things I’ve done that has made life way easier

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Let’s face it. Life is fun, but it can also be stressful. As a college student, I’ve had my fair share of stressful moments. Especially with midterms happening right now, it feels like there are so many things to do and not enough hours in the day to get them done (wish me luck once graduation hits and I’m working at a full time job).

I have come to accept that no matter how organized you can be, getting stressed is inevitable. But that doesn’t mean it has to completely ruin your mood or your day. Since my time in college, I have done small and easy things that have made a huge impact on making life feel a bit easier. Here are eight easy things to do throughout the day that will make life way easier.

Drink water at least once an hour

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I’ll be the first to admit that I was awful when it came to staying hydrated. I was so consumed with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, that I put my health and wellbeing on the backburner. I was getting headaches constantly and it wasn’t until I started hydrating myself when they went away. So, if you’re anything like me and forgets to stay hydrated, a great way to remember is to drink a cup of water at once each hour. It’s super easy to incorporate in your everyday routine and you may find yourself feeling more refreshed and energized throughout the day. 

Say words of positivity before you start your day

“It’s going to be a good day.” “You are strong, powerful and confident.” “You are going to do amazing today.” These are a few examples of positive affirmations to start your day off with. I started practicing the art of positive affirmations when quarantine hit, and it has totally changed my life. It took awhile for me to believe what I was saying, mostly because I wasn’t taking it seriously. But once you truly start to believe these affirmations, it is a very noticeable difference. 

I had less of the negative mindset I tended to use throughout the day, and noticed my overall mood was a lot more positive and uplifting. So while you are doing your makeup and brushing your hair, spend a minute or two calling out words of affirmation. You’d be surprised at how far speaking with intent can shift your mindset for the better.

Don’t linger in bed

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Ever have those mornings when you the alarm clock goes off and you tell yourself just five more minutes? Well those mornings were every morning for me. The alarm would go off at 8:30 a.m. only for me to sleep a little longer or scroll through TikTok. Eventually 8:30 a.m. turns to 9:30 a.m. and I’ve lost a complete hour of my day that could have gone to something more productive. So, I made it my goal to get straight up out of bed in the morning, and it’s made all the difference. Trust me, it was a struggle at first. But once you get up, your body will wake up with you and be energized and ready to start the day.

Limit your social media intake

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By now, I’m sure that most of us have realized how much time scrolling through can take throughout the day. The worst part is, you don’t even realize so much time has passed when it happens. I found myself in a place where I was so consumed with my digital life, I was totally ignoring the present moment. 

I took a step back and limited my social media usage. It has been one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. It has given me room to focus more on my personal growth rather than stressing about the life everyone around me is living. Don’t get me wrong, social media is still awesome to have and can definitely lighten up your day sometimes. But use it so it brings you up, not take you down. 

Reach out to family at least once a week

As a college student that is currently away from home, this was something I didn’t realize was as impactful as it was until I started doing it. No matter how old we grow or independent we become, we will always need our families. Don’t be afraid to take a few minutes and make a phone call to your loved ones. Plus, engaging with friends and family can help cope with stress, so it’s great for mental wellbeing. 

Dress to impress (yourself)

Ever heard the saying, “when you look good, you feel good.” Because it’s so true. Whenever you feel good about yourself you naturally will have more confidence and will have a brighter outlook of your day. One way that I have found myself to feel good is dressing to impress myself. Somedays I feel a bit more business so I’ll throw on a cute blazer dress with matching boots. Other days those quarantine vibes hit me so I’ll chill in come comfortable loungewear. Regardless of what day it is, I have taken initiative to wear outfits that I feel confident in, comfortable and happy. Dress in whatever makes you feel good. Play around and mix and match different items in your closet. You’d be surprised at the power of a statement coat or chunky boots.

Eat your fruit and veggies

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My mom always told me that it’s important to eat my fruits and vegetables and they say mothers know best. I didn’t believe it then, but I most definitely believe it now. I — like many when they first lived away from home — ate away at only foods I liked and totally neglected any fruit bowls or leafy greens. However, I noticed that I constantly felt tired which resulted in a lack of productivity during the day.  

I started to tweak my diet a bit by adding fruits and vegetables with my meal. It was a whole world of a difference. I felt lighter, refreshed and more energized. Inserting more fruits and vegetables into your everyday diet is way easier than you think. For me, I simply inserted them into the foods I was already eating. Like adding spinach in my omelette and blueberries in my yogurt. But it could also be as simple as making a smoothie with your favorite fruits or adding a bowl of salad with your lunch. 

Keep your room clean

I promise I’m not trying to sound like a mom! But, once again, mothers knew what they were talking about when they fussed at you to keep your room clean. A decluttered room is a decluttered mind, or so I like to believe. But seriously, having a clean room makes life feel so much easier. Tidying up our spaces also gives us a feeling of accomplishment and helps alleviate stress. So you might want to think twice next time when you try to walk past the pile of laundry that needs to get done.

Janelle Sessoms

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