10 more things that can help improve your life.
Here are 10 more ways to improve your life. We have given you 20 ways to improve your life. Now it’s up to you.
Try 2 or 3 of the 20 ways to improve your life and give them a month’s trial. Let us know how the trial has affected you.
- Get out in nature
Research shows that getting out in nature is important. It reduces stress, makes you more creative, improves your memory and it may even make you a better person. Fresh air can work wonders; fresh air out on a forest trail or in a park somewhere may make you feel young again.
- Exercise
The benefits of exercise are praised everywhere. The benefits of exercise are endless: it makes you smarter; it makes you happier; it improves your sleep; if improves your metabolism; it aids digestion; it increases your libido; it makes you feel better about your body. A Harvard study tracking a group of men for more than 70 years identified it as one of the secrets to a good life. Try it, you’ll like it.
- Spend time with friends and family
Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert identified this as one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. Relationships are worth more than you think. Not feeling socially connected can make you stupider and kill you. Loneliness can lead to heart attack, stroke and diabetes. The longest lived people on the planet all place a strong emphasis on social engagement. They emphasize that good relationships are more important to a long life than even exercise. Friends are key to improving your life. Share good news and enthusiastically respond when others share good news with you to improve your relationships. Want to instantly be happier? Do something kind for them.
- Be grateful and express it
It will make you happier. It will improve your relationships. It can make you a better person. It can make life better for everyone around you.
- Meditate
Meditation can increase happiness, meaning in life, social support and attention span while reducing anger, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Along similar lines, prayer can make you feel better — even if you’re not religious.
- Get enough sleep
You can’t cheat yourself on sleep. Being tired actually makes it harder to be happy. Lack of sleep means you are more likely to get sick. “Sleeping on it” does improve decision-making. Lack of sleep can make you more likely to behave unethically. There really is such a thing as beauty sleep.
Naps are great too. Naps increase alertness and performance on the job, enhance learning ability and purge negative emotions while enhancing positive ones. Here’s how to improve your naps: make them reasonable in length, 45 mins to 2 hours; drinking a coffee before your nap will make you more productive after the nap [ caffeine takes 20 – 30 mins to kick in, so your nap will not be affected adversely. ]
- Challenge yourself
Learning another language; music lessons increase intelligence; debate with yourself for challenging your beliefs strengthens your mind; increasing willpower just takes a little effort each day but it’s more responsible for your success than IQ.
- Laugh
People who use humour to cope with stress have better immune systems, reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, experience less pain during dental work and live longer. Laughter should be like a daily vitamin. Just reminiscing about funny moments can improve your relationship. Humor has many benefits.
- Touch someone
Touching can reduce stress, improve team performance, and help you be persuasive. Hugs make you happier. Sex may help prevent heart attacks and cancer, improve your immune system and extend your life.
- Be optimistic
Optimism can make you healthier, happier and extend your life. The Army teaches it in order to increase mental toughness in soldiers. Being overconfident improves performance.
The latest 12 posts:
Closing Messages from Pickering Candidates: Read Them Before You Vote – Candidates in Pickering’s October 26 election were invited to give voters a final word. Read the messages submitted so far. … Continue reading 
COURT DECISION: robot rights trump human – Can you believe this? We’re finally there….”Court decides robot rights trump human.” A woman in Philadelphia blocked the path of a food delivery robot. In 2020, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law that classifies autonomous delivery robots —… … Continue reading 
NOV 11, 11am – At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canada falls silent. On November 11, at 11 a.m., we stop to remember those who gave everything so that we could live in peace. We honour… … Continue reading The LEGIONS’ days are numbered…. – Ever been to the LEGION, any Legion? Had a beer? Talked with others there? Met a vet? Fewer and fewer people patronize the LEGIONs, any Legions. These places are not on people’s lists anymore, and most certainly not… … Continue reading Fewer and fewer vets – Remembrance Day is a day to remember….first, our vets. Fewer and fewer vets… Thank goodness, there are fewer and fewer vets. Not because they old vets are dying off, though they are. But because there are very few… … Continue reading 
ELECTION 2026 RESULTS BY VOTE, BY % IN CHART FORM – Pickering 2026 Municipal Election – Certificate of Election Results (Form EL08) Election date: October 26, 2026. Certified October 28, 2026 by Susan Cassel, City Clerk/Returning Officer. Office Candidate Votes… … Continue reading 
The LAST JUROR, John Grisham – The LAST JUROR, John Grisham Synopsis John Grisham is best known for fast legal thrillers, but The Last Juror is a slower, more reflective novel. It returns to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his debut, A Time… … Continue reading 
Aging Well Together Information & Active Living Fair – November 12, 2026 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex This is a free event focused on living your best life 55+ Talk with exhibitors, listen to guest speakers, visit interactive displays, receive a bag… … Continue reading 
Pickering Waterfront in the fall for those who cannot visit – This gallery is presented for those folks who are unable to get out but know Pickering and used to enjoy Frenchman’s Bay area and the surrounding environs. Photos by Garry Winsor … Continue reading 
From Ward 2 Regional Councillor Nancy Van Rooy – A message to all of Pickering…. As I close this chapter of my municipal campaign, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who stood behind me throughout this journey. To my campaign team, donors,… … Continue reading 
Did you lose the election? Determine why. – You lost the election. Do you know why? All the platitudes about courage, determination, effort and energy mean a pinch of raccoon dump. You lost. Why? Here are some notable omissions, mistakes or glaring missteps that I saw… … Continue reading 
