9 Easy Ways to Feel Healthier and Happier in Just 24 Hours

woman running outdoors
woman running outdoors

By Woman's Day Staff

Changing small portions of your day can make a huge, positive difference and add up to big results. Follow this easy guide to feel your best in the morning, afternoon and evening. Photo by Getty Images

In the Morning

1. Eat Protein
Recent research shows that women who consume protein in the morning snack less on high-fat and high-sugar foods in the evening. Eggs are packed with protein and the yolks are high in vitamin B12, which helps regulate mood.

Related: Discover 50 surprising foods under 100 calories.


2. Slather on SPF

Apply at least enough sunscreen (or moisturizer with SPF) to cover exposed skin on your face and neck-especially in the winter. Up to 80% of the sun's rays can reflect off snow, and windy weather exposes your face to harsh elements that can cause dryness and chapping.

3. Go for a walk

Fitness experts say that exercising outdoors (even in colder temperatures) can give you an instant energy and happiness boost first thing in the morning. So bundle up and hit the pavement. You'll feel better all day long!

In the Afternoon

4. Swap a sweet snack for a glass of water
It's easy to mistake thirst for hunger, so gulp down some H2O before you hit the vending machine. Chances are, your craving will subside.


Related: Try these easy exercise drills to slim down fast.


5. Chew sugar-free peppermint gum

The scent alone is energizing (it can help you beat that afternoon slump!) and new research also shows that chewing gum helps your brain mute the stress response to noise. So pop in a stick if you're trying to focus in a loud room or office.


6. Improve your posture in the car

Roll up a towel and put it between your lower back and the car seat. This will help you sit straighter and avoid hunching over, a common cause of back and neck pain.

In the Evening

7. Soak sore feet
Before bedtime, bathe your feet in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. This will give you quick pain relief and help you relax. Afterward, apply lotion to keep skin moisturized.

Related: See 6 all-natural fixes for your biggest beauty problems.


8. Take your multivitamin with dinner

Some vitamins (like A, D, E and K) need fat for your body to absorb and store them-and your evening meals tend to contain the highest amount. Since your multi has a mix of vitamins, pop one in the evening for the most benefits. Ask your doc for a test to check your vitamin D levels. You may need a supplement.

9. Move your alarm clock across the room

You'll be less likely to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep in the morning if you have to physically get up and turn off the alarm. (Snoozing multiple times in the A.M. can make you more exhausted and grumpy during the day since you don't sink back into a deep sleep.)

SOURCES: Karen Ansel, RDN, spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Jill Boissonnault, PT, PhD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Kathryn Lee, RN, PhD, professor and associate dean for research, University of California, San Francisco. Jessica Matthews, exercise physiologist, American Council on Exercise.


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