BE Tweaked

The butterfly effect tells us that little tweaks in our daily actions can have big impacts on our life. So, if you aren’t ready to tackle your big goals of running a marathon or losing 20 lbs. or finding a great new job…START SMALL!

In the lists below, you'll find 10 tweaks that will jumpstart your personal growth journey; 10 that will help you achieve a peaceful, serene home; and 10 that will enhance your ability to achieve optimal health. None of them are new, earth-shattering ideas, but all are worth a try.

Start to rewire your brain and watch those tweaks morph into habits that will have you feeling happier and healthier than ever before! {My personal favorites shown in pink 🥰 .}

PERSONAL GROWTH

1. Create a mantra (see BE Happy) and say it each morning before you get out of bed. This will set the tone and intention for your day.

2. Teach yourself a new vocabulary word each day. Try the 'word of the day' or the 'urban dictionary' app.

3. Make a vision board. It may sound corny, but you'll reap benefits just from the time you spend creating it and having a visual representation of your goals is more powerful than you think.

4. Listen to a TED Talk or a podcast. Start with my favorite of all time: WHAT MAKES A GOOD LIFE.

5. Write in a gratitude journal each day. THIS ONE is my new favorite.

6. Be mindful of negative self thoughts and name your inner critic so that you can talk back to her/him! I have been able to quiet “Nancy” quite significantly using this method!

7. Download the Duolingo app and spend 5 minutes a day learning a new language. Your brain will thank you!

8. Once a week text a friend to tell him/her why you think he/she is great. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you love is so empowering. It will be a life changing exercise for you and for him/her!

9. Wear lipstick and/or earrings everyday- even during covid. Psychologically you will feel stronger, more confident, and more enthusiastic about the day ahead.

10. Designate Sunday mornings as a time when you’ll spend 10+ minutes researching something that interests you. It’s actually fun to keep a list on your phone of things you want to research.

SERENITY IN YOUR HOME

1. Make your bed every morning. This will spark productivity for the day ahead.

2. Invest in a second phone charger for your nightstand so that you’ll always wake up to a fully charged phone AND while you're at it, buy THESE cable clips so the darn charger doesn't fall behind the nightstand when you unplug it!

3. Add an indoor plant to your space. There are so many health benefits and THESE are Feng Shui approved.

4. Organize your pantry with THESE bins and your fridge with THESE bins - I love both!

5. Wash your sheets every Sunday. There is no more reinvigorating way to start your week than by getting a good night’s sleep on fresh sheets.

6. Try a meal prep plan (where you buy all the groceries for the week and then prep all your meals that day) like THIS ONE from Trader Joe’s. A little extra work one day will make for several easier nights ahead.

7. Order Marie Kondo's book HERE or read up on how to Feng Shui your home HERE. Don't feel pressured to follow their ideas precisely, but instead read them for inspiration and implement what works for you.

8. Get your closets organized with any or all of these amazing organizers: CAP RACK; HANDBAGS ; JEWELRY ORGANIZER; and WRAPPING PAPER OR TOILETRIES OR CRAFTS OR MAKE UP ...so many uses for this one!

9. Treat yourself to flowers each week. "Times are stressful and we can all use a little boost of extra happiness here and there- and there are ways to boost happiness immediately that do have lasting effects. In a recent study, researchers found that flowers can have immediate and lasting effects on happiness (up to 3 days!)." (Blue Zones) Maybe consider a subscription service like THIS ONE.

10. Declutter your home as if you are about to stage it for sale. Think one or two items per shelf and neutral/similar colors. This will immediately make your space feel more calm and inviting.

OPTIMAL HEALTH

1. Switch to soy candles and get rid of the dryer sheets in favor of dryer balls. By doing so you will have drastically decreased the toxicity in your home.

2. Get 20 minutes of sun everyday. (Okay maybe 10 in the winter!) Oh and do NOT bring your phone with you...let yourself daydream for extra health benefits!

3. Try drinking the recommended 1/2 oz of water per 1 lb. of your weight in one day. It’s hard! Consider getting a cute bottle like THIS ONE for inspiration.

4. Enjoy one piece of dark chocolate each day. Be reminded of it's health benefits HERE.

5. Immediately after dinner, brush your teeth and use mouthwash. This will discourage you from late night snacking.

6. Also immediately after dinner, wash and moisturize your face. Doing it early will prevent you from using the "too tired" excuse later.

7. Have a cup of good quality tea each afternoon. There are SO many BENEFITS OF TEA! I personally love darjeeling and green tea!.

8. Make a pitcher of infused water (see BE Healthy). You will drink more water if it has a bit of flavor!

9. Visit EWG.org's EWG Verified page and pick one product - cleaning, make-up, etc.- to try. EWG verifies products based on their toxicity levels and switching to less toxic versions of the items you love will help you to BE healthier!

10. Read Sanjay Gupta’s new book ‘Keep Sharp’ which provides many valuable insights into our brain and how we can keep it working optimally. It's a muscle we often forget to exercise!

Pick a few to implement this week! And remember...