How can we live a happier and healthier life? It seems obvious and we’ve all heard it before. We need to drink water, eat properly and make meaningful connections with others.  What else can we do?

1. Eat Mindfully

We live in a very fast-paced world, where we can easily get distracted. Eating has become a mindless task many of us do while watching TV, playing on our phones or answering emails. Multitasking while eating is a recipe for disaster!

When we are distracted, we are not able to listen deeply to our body’s needs and wants. Many of us can benefit from eating mindfully.

Mindful eating involves paying attention to all the experiences while eating and drinking and taking the time to appreciate it. During your next meal, try just eating, with no screens or distractions.

Fully savor the textures, sights, scents, and flavors of every bite and drink you take. Which sections of your tongue do the various flavors ignite? How does it feel as you swallow every sip and bite? Feel each morsel filling your stomach. But most important of all, enjoy the company you are sharing the meal with!

2. Consider Supplements

In an ideal world, we would always have time to eat a nutrient-rich diet, composed of varied whole foods brimming with everything your body needs. However, this can be hard to accomplish consistently.

We live busy, active, stressful lives that limit the time we have to plan and prepare well-balanced, nutritious meals. Some of us have nutrient deficiencies due to special dietary needs, health conditions, time of the year, time of the month and so on.

Depending on what nutrients we may lacking in our diets, many of us can benefit from a basic supplement regimen. It’s always good practice to make sure your supplements are third-party certified so you know they are safe, effective and made with quality ingredients.

Not sure which supplements you might need? Talk to your healthcare practitioner for a personalized recommendation.

3. Disconnect from Your Phone

Having smart technology at our fingertips sure does have its advantages! We are connected to the internet and each other 24/7. But there is a growing trend of reported ill effects from being constantly connected to the world.

Many people are concerned that constantly being plugged in is detrimental to mental health and overall well-being. Being constantly connected can cause stress, anxiety, insecurity and feeling the need to be constantly activated.

The bottom line: it’s important to disconnect from your phone. Your phone should be a conscious choice – something that is useful in your life, not an obligation. One of the greatest benefits of disconnecting from your phone is that it helps you mentally separate from destructive mindsets.

4. Find Meaning

Some people believe they will only be happy when they can retire and live life on permanent vacation, sipping mai tais on the beach. However, we can’t only live for the future. We must also enjoy the present.

When we are mentally healthy, we enjoy our life and environment, and the people in it. We can be creative, learn, try new things, and take risks. We are better able to cope with difficult times in our personal and professional lives.

All different jobs and vocations have the potential to be meaningful. It’s up to you to find work that suits your talents, or maybe a job that challenges you to grow and learn. Having meaning can make you feel more satisfied with your life because it gives you purpose. We all have things that we wish were different or things we are working on changing, but knowing your life has a purpose and value can help you feel satisfied despite not being in your ‘ideal’ situation.

Try incorporating any or all of these simple suggestions into your daily routine. Let us know how they have helped you, and let us know what suggestions you have that other people can use to create a happier and healthier life.

“Benefits of Good Mental Health.” CMHA Toronto, toronto.cmha.ca/documents/benefits-of-good-mental-health/.