4 Ways to change your life

1. Adopt a healthier diet

It goes without saying that you are what you eat. We often hear about how our skin regenerates and uses the food we ate to do so, and we always get reminded that abs are made in the kitchen. All those things are true and aiming to eat healthier is something we should strive to do for the sake of our health and well being. In order for us to perform at our best and look our best we need to feed ourselves the best, this is not to mean that we have a complete overhaul of our diet but rather it's time to take the small steps to regain a healthy relationship with food.

For example swap out that McDonalds muffin for an apple with your coffee, or better yet drink water instead of those sugary drinks. Simple small changes along the way should be what we aim for in order to be successful in adopting a healthier diet.

2. Design a better morning routine

Have you ever woken up and realised half way through your morning that you are seemingly in autopilot? It's very common for us to operate on autopilot and unfortunately it means that we end up reactive during the day. However when we start our day intentional about the things we are doing we are better equipped to dictate the direction of our day, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day. So it's best to start each day feeling your best, with positive intention, be motivated and excited for your day. Three things that will help you achieve a better morning are:

• Going to bed early the previous night and wake up earlier: a good morning routine will be helped by what you do the previous night and sleeping early will ensure that you wake up feeling rested. Waking up earlier gives you time to get through your morning calmly giving you room to read, exercise and eat breakfast without the rushed feeling. Try waking up at 5 am or an hour earlier than you usually do  for a week and just see the difference it makes in your morning.

• Set out your clothes and pack your bag the night before: once again doing things before you sleep will eliminate the number of decisions to be made in the morning. For example choosing your outfit the night before will most likely reduce your stress in the morning and cross-off one useless thing off your to do list.

• Start your morning by asking your self "how do I want to feel this morning." By asking yourself this question at the beginning of your day, you are taking control of your emotions and guaranteeing yourself that whatever happens I want to be in this specific state of being. Our days are often hectic and so many curveballs are thrown in our direction so when we take control of the situation by not allowing things to deter us from our joy we are able to navigate through difficulty much more efficiently. Plus it's exhausting when external measures dictate our internal states.

3.Travel to a new place

When you mention travel many people automatically think of their bank balance and immediately make it seem impossible. This is why many people stay in the same place all year round. Finances are just an excuse to not step out of your comfort zone, there are so many cheap ways to see a new place thanks to discount travel tickets, off season deals etc.

Travelling allow you to experience something new, it refreshes your mind and soul. I truly believe that we gain inspiration when travelling this can be inspiration for a new creative piece or a new perspective on an issue that has been troubling us. Travelling doesn't necessarily involve a plane it can even be a road trip to the neighbouring town/city, it is just getting out of your everyday environment and immersing yourself in a new place. Also if your version of travel has to include flights, why not look into booking a flight to a new destination during the off peak season...Google will let you know what off-peak is like in any place and you are guaranteed to find steals in flights and accommodation. Trains are also a great transport method to try.

4. Practice Gratitude

"This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before." Maya Angelou

We live in an age of instant gratification, constantly looking for our next fix and as a result we hardly stop to be grateful for what we have, what we have experienced and this leaves us feeling unsatisfied.

In order for your year to be more fulfilling try writing a daily gratitude list. It doesn't have to be big it can be 3 things each day and can also be very simple i.e. "I am grateful to have woken up." Gratitude attracts positive vibes and when we are feeling low looking at the lists we have made previously will help us feel better about life. We sometimes think it's the end of the world that we got an F or our loved one is terminally ill and those feelings are valid however self pity needs to be curbed eventually and writing "I am grateful I get to attend an amazing school with amazing friends" as well as " I am grateful for the laughs we shared today" will remind you that not all is bad. Looking for joy in the little things is what will help you in the big dark and stormy seasons in life.