75 Easy Ways To Improve Your Life

Reader's Digest editors share their best no-effort tips to make the most of every day

1. Put a glass of water by your bed when you turn in. In the morning, drink what’s left for a good start to hydration for the day.

2. Each day, spend at least 10 minutes of dedicated one-on-one time with loved ones you live with.

3. Make your to-do list specific. It’s easier to get started when the item says ‘Make outline for report’ than when it says ‘Write report’.

4. Print photos that you have on your phone as birthday gifts. Printed photos are a rare treat these days.

5. Call your parents; they want to hear from you. One day you won’t be able to.

6. Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes.

7. Keep cut-up fruit and vegetables in the fridge so there’s an easy, healthy snack when you’re hungry.

8. Make sure to do the things that bring you the most joy at least once a week.

9. Pay your bills as soon as they come in.

10. After answering your friend’s question about yourself, always follow up with a question about them.

11. Do a few rounds of ‘square breathing’ at the start or end of the day and whenever you’re stressed: Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four and hold for four.

12. Set up automatic transfers to your rainy-day savings account on your payday. Any amount will do.

13. Work in an office? At 3 p.m., an informal stand-around chat with your colleagues is a good energy boost.

14. Any exercise is good. A five-minute walk is better than no walk at all.

15. Smell the lilacs.