26 Ridiculously Easy Life Changes You Can Make Today

    Super-simple things you can do right now to improve your overall quality of life. Inspired by this Quora thread.

    Shannon Rosenberg
    by Shannon Rosenberg

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

    1. Assume you're good enough. Always.

    NBC / Via mystical-capricorn.tumblr.com

    Whenever you're in a situation where you're feeling a little vulnerable (like a job interview or a first date), always go into it with the mentality that you're good enough and that the judging party would be lucky to have you. Even if you don't get the job or get asked on a second date, it's better to go into the situation with confidence rather than wasting your time worrying about what they will or won't like about you.

    2. Learn to read nutrition labels.

    3. Spend more time walking.

    4. Keep your snacks, cereals, and candies in a cabinet instead of out in the open.

    5. And serve yourself from the stove top rather than family-style on the table.

    6. Make your bed every morning.

    7. Spend less time complaining and more time laughing.

    BBC / Via rebloggy.com

    Guy Winch, Ph.D., author of The Squeaky Wheel, tells Fast Company that most of our complaining is unproductive because we usually whine to people who can't actually resolve our issue. Plus, when complaining becomes a habit, it reduces our ability to resolve issues.

    On the flip side, laughing is awesome and may even improve memory. You can start with these pictures guaranteed to make you laugh every single time.

    8. When you really can't motivate yourself to be productive, just aim for 20 minutes.

    Universal Pictures / Via heavymettalbrokemyheartt.tumblr.com

    After a long day at work or school it's so easy to sit around and veg out to Netflix, scroll through social media, or immediately take a nap. Instead, force yourself to be productive for at least 20 minutes, whether it's catching up on emails, reading a book, getting in a quick workout, doing the dishes, calling back someone you've been meaning to talk to, whatever.

    The trick here is that doing one task usually makes you want to accomplish another. After the 20 minutes are done, you may not even be craving that nap anymore. Here are more genius ways to be productive.

    9. Take the time to do something nice for others.

    i.imgur.com / Via buzzfeed.com

    It's self-explanatory, but no time is ever wasted when you're using it to do something kind for someone else. Not only does it improve the well-being of others, but it'll make you feel pretty damn good, too.

    Here are 21 incredible pictures that will inspire you to be more giving.

    10. Sleep more, and go to sleep on time.

    11. Drop negative people from your life.

    Disney / Via smg.photobucket.com

    Emotions are contagious, and being surrounded by negativity can cause you unnecessary sadness, anxiety, fear, and stress. If you notice that you have a co-worker, friend, or classmate whose negative outlook is constantly having a horrible impact on your mood, you may want to consider keeping your distance or spacing out the time you spend together. Your mental health will thank you for it. Here are 10 types of friends you shouldn't feel bad about dropping.

    12. Eat something before you go grocery shopping.

    youtube.com / Via ineedthisforreactions.tumblr.com

    Because you're more likely to buy ALL THE THINGS when you shop on an empty stomach, according to research.

    Here are some healthy packaged snacks you can munch on before heading to the store, so you can make more rational grocery decisions.

    13. Show more gratitude every day.

    NBC / Via parksandrecandfoodandstuff.tumblr.com

    Being more grateful can improve your overall mental health and wellbeing. Plus, everyone will want to be around you 'cause you're so positive and wonderful.

    14. Try to cut down on your sugar intake.

    wonderlandgloomy.tumblr.com

    Sugar is delicious! But eating too much of it has been linked to weight gain, obesity, and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Here are 14 ways to eat less sugar.

    15. Don't dwell on past mistakes.

    16. Stop replying with "K." Seriously.

    imgfave.com

    It is such an EASY thing to do, people! Just one or three more letters and you can completely change the emotional response you give the person on the receiving end. It's much more respectful and will save you A LOT of unnecessary arguments. Here are 19 other texting habits you want to get rid of ASAP.

    17. Keep a journal.

    18. Make sure to turn off all electrical appliances and water taps when you're not using them.

    youtube.com / Via wifflegif.com

    You'll reduce the amount of energy you're using, which will in turn reduce your monthly bills. #Bless

    19. Teach yourself how to cook.

    youtube.com / Via pardonmyfranglais.tumblr.com

    Eating frozen dinners and prepackaged meals every day may seem convenient, but most of them are extremely high in sodium and hold pretty much no nutritional value. So learn some basic cooking skills for your health and your budget. To get you started, here are 21 easy and healthy meals you can make for one.

    20. Spend more time outside.

    21. Cut down on the amount of salt you're using.

    craft-werk.blogspot.com

    A little salt isn't horrible for you, but most people go WAY over the recommended daily intake, which is between 1,500–2,300 mg. And consuming too much can lead to hypertension (long-term high blood pressure), which can increase your risk of heart disease.

    Instead of loading up on salt, try using other spices, like garlic, basil, onion, or curry powder. Your food will have just as much flavor without the risky health factors. Here's how to actually eat less sodium.

    22. Drink a glass of water when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

    youtube.com / Via joyreactor.com

    And obviously make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day, too. Drinking enough water is crucial for your joints, your body temperature, your bowel movements, and lots of other important body stuff. So drink up.

    23. Take some time to think about a situation before you react to it.

    Disney / Via thatgirlshyzon.tumblr.com

    When you're really worked up over something it's easy to react with your emotions before taking the time to think the situation through. So make a habit of taking a break before you actually react. Just a few minutes can help you make a more informed (and probably less emotional) decision.

    24. Start keeping track of the things that you're buying.

    25. And enforce a 30-day waiting period for all impulse buys.

    youtube.com / Via vvampirequeen.tumblr.com

    Keep a 30-Day Impulse Buy List, where you write down all the things you really want to buy that are definitely not necessities (and the date). When 30 days have passed, you can buy it if you still want it! This way you're not left with a million T-shirts or shoes or random housewares that you totally didn't need but seemed super important at the time.

    26. Stop worrying so much about what others think and start doing you.