From money to body and mind - change your life with easy techniques

 Happy couple. (Courtesy)

Life for lots of us seems overwhelming right now. With Covid-19 still ruling the way we live, it can feel like areas we were once in control of are toppling around us instead. But with a few simple changes, you can get things back on track.

Everyday life

Erica Wolfe-Murray, leading business coach and author of Simple Tips Smart Ideas, says…

Face up to your finances

Cancel everything you don’t use (such as subscriptions), and set a clear incoming and outgoing budget to start making regular savings.

Build on what makes you happy

List everything that makes you unhappy, then devise a plan to reduce or remove these aspects from your life. Now list everything that makes you smile and gives you moments of happiness and work to increase every day.

Understand when you have the most energy

If you wake up early, harness those early hours to do constructive activity, such as working, writing, DIY or exercise. If you’re a night owl, shift things around to make use of the evenings instead.

Avoid moaning

Moaning zaps your energy. Instead of complaining, get out of the rut and fix the issues you can. By taking control you’ll feel inspired.

ALSO READ: Secret to longer life is as simple as having a warm shower

Move on from people who are dragging you down

You don’t have to be friends with everyone for life. Each of us is on a different road, and if someone’s is diverging from yours – that’s fine. It will make space for new people in your life.

Your body

Vicki Anstey, fitness figure and founder of BarreWorks.co.uk, says…

Find your motivation

It takes six weeks to build better habits, so how can you change things in 24 hours? The best way to make positive choices in relation to food, exercise and lifestyle is to find your ‘why’.

If you can identify your intrinsic motivation for changing habits, you have a far greater chance of success. Intrinsic motivations are driven by internal rewards that are deeply satisfying to you.

So if you want to lose weight, do it because you want to live longer, be healthier for your children or avoid illness, rather than for the sake of dropping a dress size. If you can do that, you’ll find it easier to stay on track.

ALSO READ: Sitting down for long a period increases the risk of dying young

Your mind

Ali McDowall, co-founder of ThePositivePlanners.com, says…

Write it down

Journaling is a simple, low-cost way to transform your mindset and boost positivity. Start off by writing down three things you are grateful for. Then as you build journaling into your daily routine you will start to find a formula that works for you.

This can have a wonderful impact on your mood and outlook, especially if you find mornings difficult to get motivated. Evening journaling is also a great way of letting go of the stresses and strains that the day has presented, helping you to process it all.

ALSO READ: How to naturally get rid of headaches

Your skin

Karen J. Gerrard, skin expert and founder of SeamsBeauty.co.uk, says…

• Never go to sleep with make-up on to avoid clogging pores.

• Dip a cotton wool pad in warm green tea, squeeze out excess and rest on eyes to soothe.

• Sleep on a silk pillowcase – the smooth surface is cool, hypoallergenic and lets skin slide easily, which reduces wrinkles.

• Dip a cotton wool pad in warm green tea, squeeze out excess and rest on eyes to soothe.

• Sleep on a silk pillowcase – the smooth surface is cool, hypoallergenic and lets skin slide easily, which reduces wrinkles.