2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. With the coronavirus pandemic, it has been stressful and unpredictable; people have lost jobs, had to close their businesses, lost loved ones, felt lonely and fallen ill and that’s only to mention a few ways people’s lives have been affected this year.
Whatever your situation, you definitely deserve a good 2021 and at least one thing is for sure: after 2020 you can be prepared for anything life throws at you.
The year 2021 can be a good year for everyone no matter what happens, just make sure you do these five things and you’ll find yourself in a good place and your life will be much easier going forward.
1. Minimize
Having a decluttered home can make you feel happier. It not only clears space in your home but in your mind too. Start next year by having a good sort out of all your things and go through what you need and what you don’t and the things you love and the things you could part with.
It will help you to feel more organised and in control.
If you’re worried about getting rid of your things and don’t want to part with them but you do want more space in your home, remember that you don’t have to throw everything away to achieve this. You can use a local storage unit to store your things at the same time as decluttering your home which means you’ll get the best of both worlds.
2. Exercise
Everyone knows that exercise is good for you but does everyone know just how good? It doesn’t just help you to lose weight and to feel good, but doing regular exercise will strengthen your heart and improve your circulation reducing your risk of heart disease.
It will help your body manage blood sugar and insulin levels which will cut down your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Exercise isn’t just for your physical health either but when you exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed.
This can help you deal with stress, reduce your risk of depression and generally make you happier and able to deal with whatever else is going on.
3. Smile More
Have you heard the saying ‘when you smile, the whole world smiles with you’? It’s true. When you smile at someone, they will more than likely smile back at you and then go on to smile at the next person they see. Smiling is infectious, and people love to see other people smile.
Not only does smiling make you and other people feel happier but when you smile and feel happy and relaxed your whole body relaxes too which is great for your immune system. It also releases endorphins, which then relieves stress. So keep smiling even if you don’t feel you have anything to smile about, you soon will.
4. Connect with Old Friends and Family
These days you can find and connect with almost anyone over the internet. It’s not uncommon to lose touch with people as you get older and life becomes more complicated, but don’t let that stop you from connecting with old friends and family again.
It’s always good to have people around you that you know, love and trust. By reaching out and connecting with old friends and family you might find that you really help them in their lives or your own. It’s also lovely when you can get together and have a great trip down memory lane.
5. Volunteer
Volunteering is a very rewarding way to spend your time and since the coronavirus pandemic, there is even more of a need for volunteers in your local community. Whether it’s helping vulnerable people get food and essentials while they are self-isolating or giving your time to chat on the phone to those who are lonely, there are many ways you can help people.
Despite the pandemic, there is always a need for volunteers and plenty of things you can do such as volunteering at an animal shelter, a homeless shelter or working with children.
If you have some hours to spare and want to make a difference, then volunteering could be the perfect way for you to give back, and it can also make a real difference in your life as it makes you feel good and you could make some life-long friends too.