This simple practice can have a huge impact on your life. Researchers at MIT found that regular meditation can help ease stress and even chronic pain, by allowing you to better control what your mind focuses on and mentally "dial down the pain."
Getting started is easy. Just find a quiet spot, sit with your back straight (so you can breathe easily), and try to clear your mind and focus only on your breathing. Start with about 5 minutes a day, and you can increase the time as you go.
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Step No. 2: Exercise 3 Times a Week
Let's face it: For most of us, hitting the gym every day is a lofty goal that almost always fails. We're busy. We're tired. A trip to the gym just feels like too much effort. So just try to squeeze in a workout three times a week. Studies show this can help prevent heart disease and a slew of other ailments. And hey, you might start loving your regular workouts and up the number of times you go, which is great. But even if you only stick with three workouts a week you're still doing a great thing for your body.
While it's safe to say that giving your diet and workout routine (or lack thereof) a total revamp would undoubtedly lead to a healthier you, it's also safe to assume that a big overhaul is probably unlikely. Who has the time? Or the willpower to completely give up sugar and start jogging six miles a day?
Not us.
Which is why we've turned to a far more realistic option: incorporating these little lifestyle changes into our current could-be-healthier routines. And no, it's not like we're expecting to drop 20 pounds or win a marathon this year. But we are feeling less stressed, more centered, and a whole lot happier.
Intrigued? Keep clicking to see our small changes that are paying off big.
