Small Change, Big Results

"Sara Reistad-Long has a little list of tiny but powerful life tweaks that will make you happier, healthier and--yes!--better!" --Oprah article

• Eat an apple before lunch. New research found that people who did consumed nearly 190 fewer calories during the meal.
• Brush you teeth with your other hand. Using your nondominant hand to do simple chores can improve your mood and your memory.
• Drink filtered Coffee. Unfiltered coffee has higher levels of both LDL and total cholesterol.
  
• Power up your walk. Targeting the abs and back, core work develops supple muscles and decreases the risk of injuries.
• Have a few walnuts. They contain liver-healthy omega-3's. In general, try to replace junk food with fruit, veggies, fish and whole grains.
  
• Pick your beat. Musical beats per minute roughly correspond to a person's heart rate during exercise. This dramatically improves motivation.
• Time major decisions. During the week before ovulation, both estrogen and testosterone increase in order to help prepare the egg. Make sure to take a few days to think about major decisions.
• Wake up with a plan. Rather than dwell on how awful you're feeling, make a goal you want to achieve before lunch.
• Practice the phrase "I forgive you". It's easier said than done, but after an argument, try thinking about forgiveness.
• Chew gum. The jury is still out on whether gum stimulates the appetite, but it seems to improve the thinking process.
  
• Purge toxic possessions. Dwelling on regrets and negative memories fuels depression, which is why clearing out the tangible reminders can give you a lift.
• Stand on the balls of your feet. Simply shifting your weight to the balls of your feet will help you feel more grounded.
  
• Add umami to your diet. Most kids can reel off the four basic flavors: sweet, sour, salty and bitter. But in 2000, a receptor for a fifth taste was identified: umami, which is a loosely defined as a savory, meaty flavor derived from the amino acid glutamate.
  
• Take ten minutes for daydreaming. Science is now supporting what many brilliant people already do: When you are stumped on a problem, the best way to solve it is to let your mind wander.