12 Science-Based Methods For Feeling Better About Life (2 of 3)

Make Your Commute More About You

While most people these days are working in their own homes, we all know that’s not going to happen forever. We will eventually have to drive or walk to work. And while many of us dread that to some extent, we think this tip can benefit a lot of people and curb the adverse effects of commuting.

The biggest thing most point out is coffee. While many people rely on it heavily, it’s also something that leads to more stress and anxiety over the course of the day. This is according to Andrew Weil, MD, the author of Spontaneous Happiness. Cutting caffeine and going for something like lemon water that can help you wake up and be much more energized.

The other thing to do is to see your commute as a mini-break. Use it to improve yourself in some fashion. Considerations are finding a good podcast and listening to it, listening to some feel-good music, pacing your breathing, reading or listening a good book.

Try Out Short Exercises

According to David Agus, MD “studies show that everything from cognition to the lymphatic system improves if we are more consistently active throughout the day. Our bodies were designed to move. Yet we’ve designed our world to have everything within arm’s reach.”

He’s not wrong about that, as we’ve lived a life of conveniences for the most part and many of us are used to things being easily obtainable. As such, it denies us from doing extra activities. Activities that can be very helpful for us in the long term.

Research that’s published in the American Journal of Health Promotions suggests that short periods of activity can add up to a lot. The research took the data from 6,000 adults between the ages of 18 to 85 years. The research found that those who managed to do little exercises – between 1 and 10 minutes – throughout the day were able to see some remarkable benefits. These benefits included lower blood pressure and cholesterol. That amount of exercise was similar to those who exercised continuously for 30 minutes.

Go For A Walk

Along the same lines as short exercises, going for a walk can provide a wide range of benefits beyond a mere exercise. According to the University of Michigan, being around nature can improve our cognitive function. In a single study, an hour-long trek in a woody park improved individuals’ performances on memory and attention tests by 20%, compared to those walking in an urban spot.

Beyond that, some Japanese research found that a day spent in a forest can improve your immune function and decrease concentrations of adrenaline and cortisol for up to a week.

Use The “If… Then…” Statements

Two syllables – if and then – can provide an enormous amount of relief and benefits. According to research from the University of Winnipeg, in Manitoba, reframing your own thoughts about a situation with the use of “if” and “then” statements can help you in a big way. It helps you to manage fear, sadness, fatigue, self-doubt, or even disgust.

Overall, if you find yourself facing a big challenge, use the “if” and “then” statements where you can. The key to using them is looking at a challenge first and using the “if” statement first. For example, “If I’m behind on an assignment…” would be a good start. After that, you think of a positive response to that challenge. Or better yet a solution. That’s your “then” clause (… then I’ll learn to manage my time better by setting reminders and keeping a level head.”). When putting those statements together, you allow yourself to make stressful circumstances more manageable. You’re essentially creating your own mantra.