If you had a million bucks, what would you do? Someone once said that he would find a million does and put up a deer farm. Funny. While having a million dollars in the bank is worthy goal to have, looking and feeling like a million bucks even if you have far less is a far more appealing endeavor.
There’s no argument that money can buy a lot of good things in life and we all can use a little more of it. But it can’t buy happiness, health and lasting relationships.
Let’s look at the many ways to hit the feel good lottery:
Exercise – Steady state cardio (running, cycling), anaerobic exercise (HIIT, sprints) and weightlifting are just some of the activities you can do to look and feel good. During exercise, the body releases endorphins, a chemical that reacts to the receptors in the brain that help reduce the perception of pain. Similar to the effects of morphine, endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body.
Get the Right Amount of Sleep – Not just enough sleep, but the right amount based on what your body needs. Every person will have different sleep requirements. Some are perfectly fine with 5 hours, while others need the full eight. Listen to your body: sleep as long as you need to, but don’t oversleep. If you ever felt like a million bucks after waking up, chances are you slept well throughout the night.
Positive Affirmations Before Bed – Write down 1 – 2 positive affirmations and recite it again and again before going to bed. This will help condition your brain to stay positive when you wake up. You’re also helping yourself shape how the next day is going to be by saying positive affirmations.
Wake up Early – Benjamin Franklin, Tim Cook and Richard Branson all share one thing: they’re early risers. Before you say that you’re not a morning person and all that, try waking up at 6:30am for one week. Then adjust it by 30 minutes (earlier) until you find your sweet spot. You can get a lot of things done when everyone else is still asleep, like get in a quick workout, meditate, delegate tasks via email or plan your day.
Meditate – Take a few minutes each day to meditate. Find a quiet space to meditate in the morning when you wake up and before you go to bed. 10 – 20 minutes will do the trick. Just clear your mind, empty your thoughts and go with it.
Think and feel Young at Heart – Always act your age, but don’t think or feel that you’re old. Studies have shown that people who think and feel younger than their age live longer than those people who think and feel they’re older than they actually are.
Give yourself a Makeover – If you’re tired of the way you look, mix up your wardrobe and try on clothes that you’ve never combined before. You can also get a new haircut, get your nails done and wear curve-hugging shapewear to accentuate your curves. Gentlemen, you can shave your head, grow a beard or mix up your wardrobe.
Spend Time Outdoors – Take a walk on the beach or in the park when you’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. You’ll come back with a better perspective, a clear head and a nice tan.
Savor Your Food – Whatever you’re eating, savor every bite. Taste every herb, every distinct flavor, every ingredient and be thankful for it. Not everyone is fortunate enough to eat a good meal.
Spend Time with Your Loved Ones – This is the best feeling in the world. People who are surrounded by loved ones are truly rich. Our time here is limited, so spend as much time with your loved ones as you can, and enjoy their company because only today is guaranteed.
A million bucks can definitely buy you a comfortable lifestyle. But being healthy, happy and surrounded by people you love is a feeling that can never be bought. Real wealth is the laughter of children, the love of a soulmate, the loyalty of a friend – these can never be attained through money, even if you have millions of it.
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