Who among us wouldn’t like to find some ways to be a better person? Whether you want to excel in your career, be a better friend or family member, or just want to feel better about yourself and the life you’re living, we likely all have a reason to work on ourselves–which is why we could all benefit from putting some effort into self-improvement. Being the best version of ourselves is the best way to ensure we’re getting the most out of our lives and bettering the lives of others.
As Life Coach and Self Care Expert Lauren Syed (a.k.a. The Elevated Mama) tells us, self-improvement and self-motivation “helps you to tap into your inner voice and intuition and the overall vision for your life.” She explains that “when we achieve our goals and have a clearer picture of where we are going in life while also being present in the lives we are building, we are overall more fulfilled and happier,” and, in turn, all that happiness pours onto the people around us: “It allows us the state of mind and capacity to love more fully and be more present with them.” And doesn’t that sound lovely?!
Luckily, it’s not only lovely, but it’s also possible for you to achieve in your own life; there’s a plethora of ways to start working towards the best version of yourself starting today. To help you along the way, we’ve put together a list of 12 tips on how to better yourself, from the basics like sleep and nutrition to the fun stuff, like new hobbies and journaling. Find it all below!
12 Tips On How To Better Yourself
Of course, the best way to better yourself will depend on the specific areas of your life that you’re looking to improve–but there are a few great steps you can take to move towards your best self in general. Below are 12 of the best tips for doing just that!
1. Eat healthily
A major part of improving yourself is making your physical health a priority–and that means maintaining a healthy diet. When you pay attention to what you’re putting into your body and nourish yourself with balanced, nutrient-rich foods, you’ll feel better from the inside out. Try to stick to whole foods and cut out processed options. Overall, the right diet will give you all the energy you need to take on whatever each exciting day throws at you!
2. Exercise daily
When it comes to physical health, exercise is the second part of the equation in addition to your diet. That’s why finding time to exercise daily (experts recommend at least 30 minutes each day) is another essential part of bettering yourself. Luckily, there are so many ways to stay active, from a sport of your choosing to a daily yoga practice to a simple walk after dinner. You may be surprised how great you feel when you get up and move!
3. Learn new hobbies
Replacing bad habits with new skills is one of the best ways to work towards your best self, which is part of the reason why investing in some new hobbies is a fantastic step to take. No matter what new skill you want to pick up, learning something new offers so many benefits, from boosted creativity to stress relief to a sense of accomplishment–and maybe even some new friends! Plus, having a productive hobby to put your time and energy into is always a good idea.
4. Teach yourself a new language
Speaking of new hobbies, picking up a new language is one fantastic way to flex your brain and develop a new skill, all while learning about a new culture along the way. Studying a new language is fantastic when it comes to skills like problem solving, memory, creativity, and loads more. Plus, it will open up a whole world of new experiences for you (hello, world travel!).
5. Read more
Whether you want to learn more about a subject that excites you, delve into a new skill, or just immerse yourself in a fictional world, reading more can do so much for your wellbeing. In fact, one study conducted at Yale showed that reading for just 30 minutes every day could add an average of 23 months to your life. Talk about bettering yourself!
6. Save more money
Who doesn’t love a little retail therapy? Unfortunately, while overspending may bring some temporary joy, it can be detrimental to your financial wellbeing (and ultimately your overall wellbeing as well) in the long run. That’s why setting up a budget for yourself, creating financial goals, and saving money is one major key to bettering yourself. Just think about how great it will feel to be able to buy a house or take an incredible vacation in the future!
7. Drink less
Enjoying a cocktail with friends every now and then can certainly add some joy to your life, but it’s important to remember that overindulging on a regular basis can cause serious health issues–both physically and mentally. For this reason, making efforts to reduce your alcohol intake can be one great step towards your best self. Consider setting limits like only drinking on the weekends or sticking to two drinks per event. You’ll likely find that you feel much more energized, calm, and clear-headed–and you definitely won’t miss the hangovers, either.
8. Cook more
Remember when we talked about the importance of a healthy diet? That can go hand in hand with another great way to better yourself, which is taking the time to cook meals for yourself on a regular basis. Not only is cooking rewarding (what a great feeling to eat a meal you made with your own hands!) but it can also be a great way to unwind, practice some mindfulness, and develop a handy new skill.
9. Planting/gardening
Gardening is another skill that can unlock a whole new world of benefits and beauty. For one, studies show that spending time in nature (as well as having plants in your home) can positively impact your overall wellbeing. Additionally, gardening is an extremely rewarding pursuit that will allow you to flex your patience, attention to detail, and even your physical fitness (all that shoveling can definitely make a difference!).
10. Get enough rest
Whether this means getting a full eight hours of sleep, finding time in the day for a quick nap when you’re feeling exhausted, or just allowing yourself some time to unwind between work and your next commitment, ample rest is absolutely essential for your mental and physical health. After all, you need energy to take on all of the self-improvement activities on your to-do list–and getting enough rest is the best way to get all of that energy! Above all, remember that you don’t always need to be bustling from one thing to the next. Prioritize enough sleep and be sure you can fit some weekly (if not daily) downtime into your schedule.
11. Meditation
If improving your mental and emotional wellbeing is what you’re after, there are few practices as beneficial as daily breathing exercises and meditation, which allows you to re-center, relax, and get in touch with your inner self. The benefits of meditation and other mindfulness practices are numerous; some of the biggest ones include lower levels of depression and anxiety, but meditation can even help with creativity, relationships, and general stress levels. Overall, it’s a great way to get a good grip on your mind and solve any issues from within.
12. Start a Journal
One of the most important parts of self-improvement is reflection. When you really know yourself, what you love about yourself, the things you’d like to change, and which areas you want to improve in, you’ll be able to take clearer steps towards your ideal self. Luckily, there are no rules for journaling, so there are infinite ways to go about it. Whether you want to keep a bullet journal to make lists and track your daily habits, keep a gratitude journal to help you appreciate the little things in life, follow self-improvement writing prompts, or just keep a daily diary of the things you experience each day, this practice is a great way to know yourself and improve your mental and emotional health.
The bottom line
In many ways, self-improvement is a life-long process of which there is no real end point. We should always be working towards new goals and a better version of ourselves–it’s part of what makes life so rewarding! And it’s also part of the reason incorporating these tips into your daily habits is always a good idea, no matter where you’re at in life. From meditating each morning to cooking yourself a nutritious dinner at night, there are endless opportunities to better yourself, and they can all work in conjunction to make your life more fulfilling than ever.
