LOVING HEALTHIER LIVING : MASTER RESEARCH

Here are a number of small habits that can make life just a little better. It's just the right time to try them, or to pick a few you'd like to continue.

Here are five of our favorites :

1.- Give The Best Hours Of Your Day To Yourself.

What time of day do you feel your best? Some people may feel most energetic during the first few hours of the morning. Evening might be the best time of day for night owls.

Now ask yourself, ''Who gets those hours?'' Do you spend your best hours checking emails, catching up on work or doing tasks for your family? Try giving that time to yourself instead.

Use it to focus on your priorities, rather than someone else's. You can use that hour or two for anything you want - it might be for a hobby, a project that you feel passionate about, time with your friends and children or to volunteer to help others.

Setting aside your best hours to focus on personal goals and values is the ultimate form of self-care.

2.- Enjoy Exercise Snacks.

Too often we think of exercise as a formal activity we have to do for an hour at the gym each day. But a number of studies show that short bursts of exercise several times a day lead to meaningful gains in fitness and overall health.

Just as you might grab a handful of chips or nuts to break the monotony of your day, an exercise '' snack '' is a quick movement break. Get up and pace when you're on the phone. Do jumping jacks, lunges or a wall sit, or walk the stairs for 20 seconds.

My go-to exercise snacks in 10 was push-ups.

3.- Take A Gratitude Photo.

If a gratitude journal isn't your thing, make a plan to take one photo a day of something special in your life. It can be a cute picture of your dog, a sunset or a delicious meal.

Take a moment to study the photo, sit with your feelings of gratitude, and then share it with a friend or post it on social media. When we make an effort to notice our surroundings or show appreciation for the people places or things that make us happy, it's called ''savoring.''

Scientists know that savoring exercises can lead to meaningful gains in overall happiness and well -being.

4.- Print A Feelings List

Every day when you brush your teeth or make your coffee, ask yourself : 

'' How are you, really?

Think of a word that describes exactly what you're feeling. Unsettled? Energetic? Delighted? Frazzled? [ Avoid standard answers like ''good'', ''fine'' or ''OK.'' ] This simple labeling activity is surprisingly effective for calming stress and taking the sting out of negative thoughts.

Studies show that when we label our feelings, it helps turn off the emotional alarm system in our brain and lowers our stress response. Click the link for a list of words, from the Hoffman Institute, to describe your feeling and put it on your refrigerator or in your bathroom.

Ask your kids to pick a word from the list every day, too. It can be a surprisingly fun family routine.

5.- Do A Five-Finger Meditation

This is an easy way to calm yourself, no matter where you are. Use the index finger of one hand to trace the outline of the opposite hand.

As you trace up a finger, breathe in. As you trace down, breathe out.

Continue finger by finger until you've traced your entire hand. Now reverse directions and do it again, making sure to inhale as you trace up, and exhale as you trace down.

The Publishing continues. The World Students Society thanks author Tara Parker-Pope.