Live Happier, Live Better

With September being self-improvement month, consider some steps to live a happier, better life. We all have different ideas of the people we aspire to be, making self-improvement an intrinsically personal process. But while you may have specific areas of your life you want to improve, there are general steps we can all take to lead happier, more enriching lives. With September being self-improvement month, let’s consider some of those steps:

1. Invest time doing things you love

It can feel self-indulgent to engage in activities solely because you enjoy them, without worrying about productivity or other responsibilities. But as the old adage goes, “time you enjoy wasting is not wasted.” To recharge from the stresses of everyday life, try finding an outlet that appeals to you, such as reading, cooking or painting, and set time aside to devote to it.

2. Eat, drink and be merry

When it comes to self-improvement advice, centenarians can be our greatest source of wisdom. By researching “blue zones” – areas where people live long and well – we have found that individuals with longer lifespans tend to have healthy diets that include red wine and smaller portions. They also view meals as an opportunity to spend time with those they genuinely like. Additionally, people in blue zones engage in purposeful exercise such as meditative nature walks, as opposed to viewing physical activity as a means to burn calories.

3. Become a mentor

Whether you lead the training process of a new employee at work or volunteer to become the mentor of a child in a local school, using your knowledge and guidance to empower others can help you feel more personally fulfilled. Mentoring can also build your network and help you learn new things about yourself.

4. Make friends out of strangers

If you think back to your most treasured memories, chances are they were spent with people you truly care about. Making friends can have benefits far beyond expanding your network. Investing time in your current friends and making new ones can not only provide you with a reliable support system, it can also improve your physical health. That’s because an active social life can lower risks of heart problems and high blood pressure, as well as deter osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are a myriad of ways to engage in self-improvement. You can take steps as small as journaling more often or as meaningful as starting a new career. No matter how you choose to celebrate Self-Improvement Month, We hope September leaves you feeling happy and fulfilled.