24 life hacks to help you thrive this month!
1) Ever find yourself too hot to sleep?
It could be your mattress and your sheets! Most affordable bedding is made of plastic, like foam and polyester, which can trap lots of heat. Our bodies are actually wired to cool down at night to prepare for sleep, so it's no wonder that this can make getting to sleep near impossible. One of the best alternatives is cotton bedsheets since they are breathable and much less toxic, and can also be found at a reasonable price!
2) Do you have negative self talk?
Negative self-talk can really hurt us, especially since most often it's unconscious. We learn self talk starting in childhood and it can even be inherited from what our parents say to us or to themselves! Check in with your self talk and if you feel like it's not helping you accomplish your goals or feel good, then it's time to take action. Just listening to some positive affirmations to each, whether it be some that you say aloud or that you listen to in a podcast, it can really help to create new, healthier connections within the brain.
3) Is your city not very biker friendly?
Some cities are not biker friendly and this can be tough for someone who enjoys this kind of physical exercise. These days with cities packed full of cars, pedestrians and many laws making biking unpleasant. One of the best tools to have handy at home is a stationary bike! It's not very expensive and you don't need a whole gym membership to do it. You can listen to your music and go as 'fast' as you would like! Just look on amazon for some amazing stationary bike options.
4) Are you out of cleaning products?
One of the absolute best and safest cleaning solutions is your everyday water and vinegar! You can adjust the ratio depending on how clean you need it to be, keeping in mind that vinegar is a pretty intense smell so you definitely want to add some water! If you're feeling fancy, you can even add some drops of tea tree oil for even greater cleaning action and a better scent. This is such a simple, eco-friendly way to clean, and all you need to get started is a big spray bottle - you can even find them dollarama.
5) Too wired to sleep at night?
When we don't sleep well over a period of time, our bodies can kick it up a notch with more cortisol and adrenaline to help us fight off fatigue. These hormones actually reset when we sleep but they can also be what's keeping us up at night! To combat this, it's okay to occasionally take a supplement to help relax the body. Whether it be melatonin or maybe magnesium, it's okay to do once in a while - just keep in mind that it's a great temporary solution!
6) Do pain medications give you bad side effects?
If you're not loving your pain meds, just check for supplements! There is one supplement that works the same as aspirin, called willow bark and there's probably many others that can be found with a little research!
7) Tired of throwing out sponges?
Instead of frequently throwing out your sponges, just toss them into a bowl of water with a generous splash of vinegar for a deep clean. You can do this a few times to reduce the number of sponges you throw out on a regular basis!
8) Struggling with dry skin and hair?
Whenever we have skin and hair issues we might start to think about splurging on the next most expensive bottle of shampoo or lotion! But there's a better option - get a shower head filter! They can remove all kinds of heavy metals and chlorine before getting in contact with your skin, leaving less residues on your body after a shower!
9) Does your place always feel dirty no matter how much you clean?
A whole cleaning crew is not needed when you have a steam cleaner! You can get these lightweight, portable steam cleaners to use on really tough spots in the home, that are especially useful for older homes. Steam easily and efficiently zaps away grime, and is an effective, professional cleaning tool that you don't need a professional to use!
10) Bad odours coming from your yoga mat?
If you've already tried spraying your yoga mat thoroughly or even soaking it in a bathtub, then it might be time to let mother nature help out! Sometimes, just leaving your may under the sun can really reduce odours and naturally clean your yoga mat! You might just want to double-check with the yoga company though, since some high-end open-celled mats cannot be left under the sun.
11) Are your clothes uncomfortable?
Most of the time, we are surrounded by fast fashion which offers us trends and so many options. However, the fabric used is widely synthetic and cheap, and usually it's pretty uncomfortable to wear. If you think about it, you're wearing plastic, like polyester and nylon, so that's why its uncomfortable. Always look for cotton - it's so much healthier, less toxic and more comfortable to wear!
12) Can't stop slouching?
Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head! Every time you think of it, you should effortlessly feel your head slightly elevate and your posture become better. While it may be tricky to completely avoid ever slouching, just remember this string every now and then!
13) Sick of going grocery shopping?
If you ever find yourself purchasing necessities like toilet paper and printer paper very often then it might be time to consider a bulk purchase. While it can be slightly more expensive to buy more at first, usually you'll get a small discount overall. And just imagine all the time you're saving just by not shopping so often! There are so many great ways to buy in bulk but one of the best is Costco!
14) Don't like drinking water?
Did you ever consider that might be because it's bad for you? Yes, the water today is often full of microplastics and chemicals! Get a high quality water filters and watch your water intake improve! A great one is the Aquagear filter - check it out!
15) Trying to break that caffeine addiction?
Try out ginseng tea - this amazing tea can give your focus a boost, unlike caffeine, which can hinder blood flow to the brain. If tea is not your thing, then consider chocolate! With a mere fraction of the caffeine that's found in coffee, dark chocolate won't mess with your mental clarity. Plus, it contains theobromine that not only gives you energy but is also a heart-healthy alternative that improves your HDL cholesterol.
16) Struggling with yeast infections?
You may want to turn your attention to boric acid! Some yeast infection medications can be harsh on the stomach, and may be ineffective. Boric acid is safe, effective, and treats the problem right at the source - and the best part is that it can be purchased online or even in store, like Walmart!
17) Not a morning person?
Take morning walks! Soaking in the sun can do wonders for your body and your mood first thing in the morning. When you expose yourself to natural light, you're helping your circadian rhythm out by reducing melatonin and welcoming cortisol, the hormone that helps us wake up. You're setting the stage for a better night's sleep! And let's not forget about the benefit of simply moving your body to help bring some energy into the day ahead!
18) Lost at the grocery store?
Come prepared! If you really don't like browsing around the grocery store, then simply bring a recipe with you! Who has that much time to spend at the grocery store anyway?
19) Struggling with skin care? (for men)
One of the best moisturizers you can use as a guy is sandalwood. All you need is a drop or two of this high quality essential oil into a small handful of jojoba oil - items that you can find in a pharmacy or health food store near you! It will leave you feeling fresh and smelling amazing, like a woody-floral scent, and it's even been found to combat prostate cancer!
20) Struggling with road rage?
Depending on where you live a healthy dose of road rage may be pretty tricky to avoid but the better you are at driving the easier it becomes to manage. If you're a good driver, you'll be more quickly and efficiently able to find your way out of sticky situations like traffic. One of the best ways to become a better driving is by joining a team sport! Team sports like soccer, hockey, and football may all improve situational awareness and depth perception.
21) Too many speeding tickets?
Aside from paying them off the best way to deal with them is to avoid them! If you're drawn to adrenaline, it could be explained by science and a higher level of dopamine in your brain. This makes you feel extra pleasure when engaging in risk taking activities. One of the best ways to combat tickets is to use cruise control when you can!
22) Dusty home?
Of course the best way to deal with dust is to clean it! But what if the dust never settles from the air? One of the best ways to combat dusty air is to use a humidifier. By adding moisture to the air, it can help trap and weigh down dust particles, making them to settle to the surface rather than floating around.
23) Trying to fight off bad vibes?
Get a small water fountain! Fountains are not only just pretty decor – they're like mini mood-boosters that release negative ions. These ions interact with your brain, creating a sense of calm and tranquility, while also freshening up the air around you. It works the same way that waterfalls do in nature, just on a much smaller scale. By having fountains and plants, it also helps us get back in touch with nature which is so important for our wellbeing!
24) Is your yoga mat boring?
Get a premium Crk yoga mat!
