We all want to live a life that has meaning and purpose. We want to have something we can point to at the end of our lives and proudly say “I did this!” A life filled with meaning isn’t a destination, but rather a collection of choices we make every day.
But how do you make every day count? With so many distractions, it’s hard for us to focus on what really matters. That’s why we’ve put together 20 ways for you to make your days more meaningful.
20 Ways To Make Every Day Count
Here are 20 tips for adding a bit more purpose to each and every day. Choose a few of your favorites or practice a new one each week. Whatever you choose, remember that consistency is key!
1. Keep a Journal
Journals and diaries have been used for millennia to record the most meaningful aspects of our lives. Whether it’s a collection of thoughts, family memories, or daily events, writing down your life is one of the best ways to remember what you’ve done and reflect on how that has shaped who you are today.
If keeping a journal isn’t your thing, you can always try just jotting down your thoughts and memories in a notebook or writing them on scrap paper. You’ll be surprised by how much you remember about the past just from reviewing these notes now and then.
2. Plan Your Day Beforehand
Are you always rushing around at the last minute, scrambling to get everything done? Or do you find yourself wasting time with distractions and procrastination throughout your day?
Planning your day the night or week before can eliminate unnecessary stress and distractions, helping you focus on the things that matter most. Establishing a morning routine is also a really good way to begin your day in the best possible way.
You may even find it helpful to use index cards or sticky notes for planning out each day’s activities. To-do lists can also come in handy when breaking down the bigger picture into smaller tasks.
3. Don’t Put Too Much On Your Plate
It’s hard to be productive when you have too much on your plate.
While it may seem like a good idea to take on more responsibilities, the truth is that this will only lead to burnout and stress. If you want long-term success in life, don’t overload yourself with tasks. Make sure there’s enough time for each project and that you’re not taking on more than you can handle.
You’ll also want to be careful about how much time is spent with certain people or in front of a screen. While it may seem like entertainment brings relaxation, the truth is that overindulging will make you feel worse later on.
4. Laugh A Lot
Life can get pretty serious at times. When this happens, it’s important to remember that you’re only given one shot at life and no matter how bad things seem, there is always something worth smiling about.
According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, laughter reduces stress hormones which leads to less depression and anxiety. It also improves your immune system and increases blood flow.
What makes you smile? Do you enjoy spending time with your family? Do you have a favorite TV show or movie that makes you laugh out loud? Is there someone in your life who always brings a smile to your face?
Choose something you love and make time for it each day.
5. Get Good Sleep
Sleep is necessary for your mental and physical health. When you don’t get enough, it will be difficult to function properly throughout the day. Not only that, but a lack of sleep puts you at risk for serious medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends between seven and nine hours each night, depending on age and activity level.
If you struggle with getting to sleep at night, try taking a walk or reading before bed. You can also try drinking a cup of chamomile or lavender tea before bed. Investing in earplugs, an eye mask, or a sleep machine may also help you sleep better throughout the night.
6. Practice Daily Affirmations
Affirmations are a powerful tool for improving your mindset and building self-confidence. They work by reprogramming your subconscious to believe that what you want is already within reach.
Every morning, write down three things that reflect who you are and how much confidence you have in yourself. For example, “I am smart”, “I can do anything I set my mind to” or “The sky’s the limit!” Repeat these affirmations throughout the day and you will begin to see a change in how you view yourself.
7. Connect With Your Loved Ones
No matter how introverted or extroverted we may consider ourselves to be, we are all social people.
The people in your life are just as crucial to your health and happiness as getting good sleep or eating a healthy diet.
Not only can spending time with loved ones increase trust and intimacy in relationships, but studies show that it also reduces stress levels while improving self-esteem.
Who do you love? Do you have a partner or close friends who always make your day brighter? Make time to see, text, or call them on a regular basis and remember that they are there for you no matter what.
8. Treat Yourself
Treating yourself is a great way to appreciate all of your hard work and celebrate milestones. You can do this in a little way every day. A treat can be as simple as taking ten minutes to enjoy a cup of tea.
When you’re having a stressful day, make a little extra time for a personal reward. It may feel counterintuitive if you’re overwhelmed, but taking a break can help you recharge and get back on track.
9. Set One Priority Each Day
Choose one priority for each day. That way, you’ll be able to make the most out of every 24 hours and accomplish what’s truly important.
Prioritizing your life can help reduce stress since it will keep you focused on only a few things at once. This will give you a sense of accomplishment as well as an idea of what’s truly important and where your time should be spent.
What is one priority that will help you accomplish your goals today? Is there something at work or home that needs to get done? If so, plan out how much time it will take and set aside the necessary amount of hours to complete the task efficiently.
10. Meditate
Meditation is a great way to focus your mind and relax. It can help you become healthier both mentally and physically by helping to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue as well as other mental health conditions.
There are many different types of meditation that range from very simple techniques, such as mindful breathing or visualization, to more complex forms like transcendental meditation or yoga Nidra.
Find a time during your day when you can sit quietly and meditate for ten to fifteen minutes. A quiet place in the morning before work is an ideal time for meditation, but if that’s not possible, find another moment of peace throughout the day.
11. Don’t Go To Bed Angry
It’s important to let go of grudges instead of letting the feelings of resentment build up day after day. Make it a point to forgive anyone (including yourself) who has upset you during the day.
A ritual you can practice at the end of each day is to write down any grudges you’re holding onto. Then, read them out loud and let yourself forgive or accept what happened so you can move on.
12. Eat Well
Eating a balanced diet is essential for your overall health, but it can also have an impact on how you feel emotionally.
What are some simple steps to eating healthily? Eat real food and drink lots of water. Healthy unprocessed foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Water is not only important for hydration but it also helps to flush out toxins in the body which can help improve mood and energy levels.
13. Embrace a Movement Practice
Being sedentary can lead to immobility, pain, and lethargy. It can also cause emotional distress over long periods of time. Bring more energy and happiness to your day by embracing a movement practice.
This can be a yoga practice, taking a daily walk, doing a certain amount of daily crunches and pushups, or dancing to your favorite songs.
Try to choose a practice that is enjoyable to you. This will help you to stay consistent and will increase the benefits of the practice.
14. Get Outside
Getting outside is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature and get some fresh air. Exposing yourself to sunlight, especially during the winter months when it’s not as prevalent, can help improve your mood and energy levels.
What are some ways you can get outside more? Take breaks throughout your workday to take walks in green spaces nearby or go to the park for lunch.
If it’s hard for you to get outside, try to open as many blinds and curtains as you can during the day. Sit in a sunny spot in your home or office so you can get some exposure to natural light.
15. Dream About Your Future
Spending time daydreaming or visualizing your future can help you feel more inspired and motivated to make it a reality. It will also give you some direction as well a clear idea of the person you want to become, which can lead to better moods overall.
Try taking some time each morning to close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and envision your future. If it’s challenging for you to think about long-term goals, think shorter-term and picture what your perfect day looks like.
16. Donate Your Time, Money, or Skills
You’ll feel a deeper sense of satisfaction if you contribute to the world in one small way each day. This can mean donating your money to a cause you care about or giving up some of your free time to help someone.
What are some ways you can give back? You could volunteer at a local soup kitchen, do something good for one person each day (like buying them coffee), donate clothes that no longer fit or have been in storage, or give your skills to a cause you believe in.
Just telling someone that you love them or are thinking of them is a great way to give back.
17. Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping your home clean can be a great way to support yourself, but it’s also important for maintaining good health.
Our environments are the number 1 determining factor of our health and well-being. What we surround ourselves with can either support our mental health or make it worse, so keeping a clean home is important because you’ll feel relaxed in an organized environment.
What are some simple ways to keep your house cleaner? Get rid of anything that doesn’t bring joy to the physical space by donating items to charity. Sell things on eBay or Craigslist. Create a capsule wardrobe to have less laundry and decision-making in the mornings when you’re running out the door.
18. Learn Something New
Learning something new is a great way to challenge your brain, be more productive during the day, and feel fulfilled. It can also give you greater focus, which will keep you from getting distracted throughout the course of the day.
Think about which topics get you excited. Do you want to learn a new language? How about how to code or make an app? Maybe it’s something more creative, like painting, sketching, photography, or sculpting.
Whatever interests you most is the perfect place to start. Start by reading about it online, browsing through YouTube videos about it, or taking a class.
19. Start a Morning Routine
A morning routine can help you be more productive, feel happier throughout the day, and get more done.
Some things you can do in the morning are meditating, writing down your daily goals, planning out your day on paper or digitally to keep yourself accountable and productive at work.
Being present during your breakfast ritual is another way to start the day off right. You can do this by eating at the table and focusing on your food, and leaving your phone in another room.
20. Start a Gratitude Practice
Gratitude is one of the easiest ways to feel positive emotions and make every day count. You can practice thoughts of gratitude throughout the day or set a time for it like in the morning or before you go to bed.
The more specific and detailed, the better your gratitude practice will be. You can make a list of things that happened during the day that made you feel happy or appreciative of someone else.
Final Thoughts
Making each day count is a great way to live more intentionally and feel better about yourself. Each of these 20 ways will help you have a richer, happier life filled with gratitude and appreciation for what’s going on right in front of you.