little things make a big difference essay

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How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Essay Example

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Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference endeavors to demonstrate how apparent changes happen in society in a manner akin to how epidemics spread: they have the structure of viruses which, in short, can become contagious. Gladwell identifies this structure in all social phenomena, from, as he notes in his introduction, fashion and cultural trends to crime rates.

In Chapter 1 of his work, Gladwell offers something to the effect of a typology of what he terms “epidemics”, that is, an understanding of how they function. Gladwell argues for a threefold schematic of the phenomenon comprised of what he terms “the Law of the Few”, “the Stickiness Factor” and “the Power of Context.” “The Law of the Few” indicates that such epidemics are identifiable as such because they are somehow outliers, that which is anomalous to the society in question. Hence, for a fashion trend to take on the form of a contagious epidemic, the trend must clearly originate from the margins: if not, it would already exist as a part of the mainstream, as an established norm, and would not have the structure of an epidemic. Simultaneously, stickiness is a crucial term. This means there has to be something inherently qualitatively compelling about the epidemic in question to make it “stick”, otherwise it would not become an epidemic which is determined by extent of influence. The power of context is thus a crucial factor which works on the epidemic from an exterior perspective: a trend therefore must also say something to its times, for it to emerge as a trend in a particular time period.

All these factors provide a compelling diagnosis of how “epidemics” function. With these concepts, Gladwell gives the reader an intriguing account of fundamental social structures and phenomena.

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Notes from the Field

Little things make a big difference.

“PACE is a mission that will use the unique vantage point of space to study some of the smallest things that can have the biggest impact.” — Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division

The skies above us are teeming with tiny particles of dust, sea salt, smoke, and human-made pollutants. The seas, oceans, and lakes around us are teeming with microscopic, plant-like organisms. In both cases, individual bits of these tiny living and inanimate particles are too small for your eye to see. But when billions to trillions of them aggregate in one place, we can see them from space. And these little things make a vast difference for life on Earth.

The particles in the air are known to atmospheric scientists as aerosols. Though the spray cans you might use for paint or hairspray do contain aerosols, the ones PACE will study are the flecks of carbon that rise from wildfires and smokestacks; the fine, dusty minerals that get lofted from deserts into the sky by strong winds; the nitrates and sulfates spewed by cars, trucks, and ships in their exhaust; and the salty spray from crashing waves and strong winds blowing over the ocean.

Why study them? Because those particles influence air quality, sometimes making it unhealthy to breathe, especially if you have asthma or heart and lung conditions. Pollution and smoke don’t observe borders – we all share Earth’s air — so it’s important to know something about the sources and types of particles floating around us. On the positive side, the bits of mineral dust or smoky aerosols can sometimes fertilize the ocean , providing nutrients for phytoplankton to bloom. 

Aerosols also affect weather and climate. Tiny particles in the air reflect sunlight, and how much they reflect affects how much the land and ocean surfaces heat up. Aerosols also “seed” the formation of clouds: they provide surfaces on which water droplets form ( condensation nucleii ) as they aggregate into clouds. One of the great unknowns in our models of climate change is what role will aerosols will play in changing rainfall and snowfall patterns and in the heating or cooling of our atmosphere.

Though NASA has been studying aerosols from space for decades — observing where they are and the abundance of them — PACE and its SPEXone and HARP2 polarimeters will change the game. The instruments will tell us the shape and size of aerosols, helping us answer questions about where they come from and how they might influence other parts of the Earth system.

The other little things that PACE will examine have names like diatoms, coccolithophores, cyanobacteria, algae, and dinoflagellates. To borrow and mangle a quote from one of my favorite movie characters — Annie Savoy in  Bull Durham  — if you have three phytoplankton, they can’t do much. But if you have 300 billion of them, they can build a cathedral. Well, maybe not a cathedral, but they can develop into vast blooms that have a profound impact on life on this ocean planet. 

Phytoplankton  grow constantly on Earth and just about anywhere there are open, sunlit patches of water. When conditions are right, the growth of these microscopic cells can blossom to scales that are visible from orbit for days to weeks. 

Phytoplankton are to the ocean what grasses and ground cover are to land:  primary producers , a basic food source for other life, and the main carbon recycler for the marine environment. They are floating, plant-like organisms that soak up sunshine, sponge up nutrients, and create their own food (energy).

Why do we need to study these tiny organisms with PACE? While humans don’t really consume phytoplankton for food, the little floaters are fuel for the zooplankton, fish, and shellfish that we do eat. We also need to care about phytoplankton because they can influence water quality and human health. Some species of phytoplankton produce toxins that are dangerous to humans and animals; others can grow in such abundance that they crowd out other species or deplete the water of necessary oxygen. 

Speaking of oxygen, phytoplankton produce a lot of it. Somewhere between 20 and 50 percent of the oxygen on Earth — some in our air, a lot in the ocean — is made by phytoplankton as they use photosynthesis to turn sunlight, carbon dioxide, and nutrients into sugars. In the process, they also draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and, in time, sink it to the bottom of the ocean.

Better understanding the phytoplankton in the ocean will help us better understand the fisheries that feed us and our economy, and it can ultimately help us work toward cleaner waterways. 

NASA and its research partners have been studying phytoplankton from space for decades, but mostly with just a few wavelengths of light. I am looking forward to the colors, textures, and details we will see with PACE’s OCI hyperspectral imager . As the PACE science team likes to say: we have been coloring the ocean with a box of 8 crayons, and now we are about to get a box with 128 shades of color. The leap in detail will allow scientists to better spot where phytoplankton are, but also figure out who (what species) they are.

And when PACE data are combined with observations from our recently launched SWOT mission — which studies the shape and movement of the surface of the ocean — it will be like going from the Earth-observing equivalent of the Hubble Space Telescope to the new James Webb Space Telescope.

Learn more about phytoplankton with these resources:

PACE Phytoplankton Exploration

The Insanely Important World of Phytoplankton

What Are Phytoplankton?

NASA Wants to Identify Phytoplankton Species from Space: Here’s Why.

As the Seasons Change, Will the Plankton?

Phytoplankton May Be Abundant Under Antarctic Sea Ice

Learn more about aerosols with these resources:

Just Another Day on Aerosol Earth

New NASA Satellite to Unravel Mysteries About Clouds, Aerosols

Global Transport of Smoke from Australian Bushfires

Aerosols: Tiny Particles, Big Impact

PACE StoryMap: Air (E)quality

NASA: Explore Air Quality

Tags: aerosols , algae , biology , earth , marine , NASA , oceanography , PACE , phytoplankton

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 6:31 pm and is filed under PACE: Color of the Ocean and Blue Sky . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

One Response to “Little Things Make a Big Difference”

Great story, and wonderful imagery! But it would be good to have captions.

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Little Things Can Make A Big Difference by Michael

Michaelof Arlington's entry into Varsity Tutor's June 2019 scholarship contest

Little Things Can Make A Big Difference by Michael - June 2019 Scholarship Essay

Everyday, we perform tasks. These tasks can be big, like driving a car, or small, like picking up trash. Tasks are a daily part of life and they demand attention from us. As humans, it is essential to carry out these tasks because it has an impact on us and others around us. Whether it’s realized or not, how we look at these things and choose to execute them can make a huge difference. I have always performed tasks throughout my life. However, there have been some tasks that I neglected. I swayed them as irrelevant and it wasn’t until I learned a lesson from a well known teacher that my perspective changed. Rachel, a sub that would appear in many classrooms to take over teaching duties when teachers were absent, would typically present pieces of advice for us to think about. This particular lesson stuck with me and made me question myself on things I did. I remember that she told the class about making differences and starting out with small things. She had read a book that stressed how little things could change our lives and the world around us. One particular thing that stood out in the lesson she presented was making a bed. This served as a base to the lesson and it let me understand how a small task could have a huge impact. I knew that making up my bed showed organization, attention, and discipline. These traits were important in the real world and it left impressions on what people thought of me. By paying more attention to smaller tasks and taking time to do them properly, it would help make a big difference. Tasks that were small formed a chain, and depending on how each one was performed it led to a particular outcome. Rachel stressed that tasks that were done correctly could give us pride and promote encouragement in us to do bigger things. I am very glad that I had tuned into this lesson. The lesson that Rachel told me about impacted my education in a huge way. For instance, in math, I make sure to think about a problem and make sure that small operations such as division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction are correct. If I do this, then it boosts my chances of getting a problem correct. However, if one small task is neglected, then the entire answer is wrong. Depending on how many answers I get wrong, I know it impacts my grade which can be a good one or bad one. This is why I take the lesson I learned at heart, since it impacts my confidence and self-esteem. Whenever I pay attention and do small tasks in an organized manner, it encourages me to move on to bigger tasks and I have a sense of accomplishment. This lets me know that I can do things well and that I am a smart person. Despite how I might feel on big tests, keeping this at the back of my mind enables me to do better and feel more confident, by not letting results define who I am completely, but keeping in mind that I am a sum total of the details. Anxiety is lowered and I can think problems through without letting emotions hesitate me. Small tasks have given me a very unique angle to measure myself in life. Tasks are things that are carried out by all of us. Doing small tasks provides us with confidence and can be used as a way to measure ourselves. Also, these tasks help make a difference in others around us and can make potential changes. One by one, they can bring the results we want to see.

How Can a Little Help Make a Big Difference

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on Published: February 8, 2022  - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Community , Self Improvement , Society

You do not have to be rich and powerful to make a difference. You can already make a difference, even if you do not think it’s possible (but you doubt yourself because you are not powerful). It turns out that many small things we do in our everyday lives make a big difference, but we just do not realize it.

Small Acts Can Make a Big Difference

Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing we can do to make a positive change. The problems of the world seem insurmountable, and we feel small and insignificant. But we are capable of much more than we realize. We have the power to change another person’s life with a little help.

We are all capable of changing the world for the better, one small step at a time. Little things like a single act of kindness can have a ripple effect that touches many others, both directly and indirectly.

You Have the Power to Make a Positive Impact

We live in a world where we believe that great things come from great deeds. We see people doing extraordinary things to help others, and that makes us think that we are not capable of doing something on the same scale. But the truth is, you do not have to.

As a human being, you have more power than you think. You have eyes, ears, and a voice – and there are many things you can do just with your abilities as a human being to help.

Examples of How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Be a good listener.

When we truly listen to others, they know it. We convey this through our respect, interest, and concern. However we look at it, listening is a powerful tool.

The quality of our communication with others determines the quality of our relationships. If we are willing to understand other people and their problems, we can help them solve their problems as well.

Sometimes people need to vent and express their feelings to feel better. When we give people time to vent their feelings, they usually feel better emotionally. They also gain a new perspective and can look at the problem more objectively.

When a person feels that he or she has been listened to, it gives him or her a sense of relief and self-confidence. It also helps her or him focus on solutions instead of just getting rid of emotions and frustrations.

Think Before You Speak

We all have different opinions about how things should be done, and sometimes when we share those opinions, we say things that make others feel defended or upset. This does not always happen intentionally, but when we compare our ideas and opinions with those of others, they may disagree with us and can become argumentative. Sometimes we say things in an emotional state that can do irreparable damage to our relationships with others.

Many people speak without thinking and end up giving the wrong advice or upsetting others, as we can now notice on social media where people end up blocking each other for small things. Always think before you say something because it is more helpful and reduces the damage that is done. There would be less strife in the world if everyone thought carefully before they spoke. This way you also show others how they should behave.

The same is true for any random act, even the small ones can make a big difference in people’s lives.

Be Kind in Your Words and Actions

The ability to be kind and courteous is a skill that everyone can learn. The more you practice, the better you will become.

The most important thing to realize, however, is that kindness is not only beneficial when dealing with others. Being kind can affect the way other people treat you, and it can make them enjoy being with you.

Kindness crosses all boundaries – race, gender, nationality, and many other factors play a role when we interact with others. It’s a great tool for making friends, and even better for getting people to be friends with you or work with your company.

For example, complimenting a young person who lacks confidence may be a small thing for you, but a greater reward and encouragement for them.

However, being friendly does not mean you should never disagree or respond negatively. When appropriate, use kindness in conjunction with firmness when necessary. If someone behaves rudely or inconsiderately, you should use this as an opportunity to teach them a lesson about how their behavior affects others. Remember, however, that kindness is also an excellent way to teach others positive attitudes and values.

Spread Positivity

Positivity is contagious. When you are positive, people around you smile and reflect your positive attitude. This can make a big difference in the way you and others think about the world, your life, and your potential. Negativity is equally contagious. When we are negative, the people around us feel that negativity, and that makes everyone feel worse.

Imagine what would happen if we all spread positivity through our thoughts, words, and actions. How would the world look different?

We have a choice every day. We can choose to be happy or sad, say a mean or a kind word (eg: compliment), be loving or hateful, positive or negative. The choice is ours.

We can choose to find something good in every situation: the person who lets us in line at Target, the beautiful sunset that washes over us on the way home from work, or the friendly smile of a stranger on an airplane, a small change in our street. If we look for good things throughout the day, we will find plenty of important things to keep us positive!

There are so many things we can share with each other: Precious time, meaningful conversation, empathy, a listening ear. There are also bigger things we can share – land and the resources to grow food, or the skills to meet our basic needs.

Sharing is part of the solution to many problems that currently exist in our world. Sharing is also part of what makes us human: it is a way we can connect with each other and make life more meaningful.

As mentioned many times before, you do not have to be rich to make a difference.

A small gesture like a $1 donation can make a big difference for some people, especially the homeless or people living in a poorer country where the value of $1 can mean a week’s bus ride or half a day’s wages. $1 can be a small act that means many important things for them!

However, you need to be careful about which organization your money goes to. Some organizations have high administrative costs and only give a small portion of their income to the actual beneficiaries. You should choose an organization that has a few administrative costs as possible and gives as much as possible to the cause.

If you can not afford to donate money right now, you can also donate items that you no longer need.

Offer Your Time

In your everyday life, there are many small things you can do for the local community that can make a positive difference in people’s lives, it doesn’t have to be a big thing.

Time is a precious commodity. After you have paid your bills, taken care of your family, and enjoyed some downtime, there’s often not much left to give. But there are other gestures that can contribute to a huge impact in people’s lives, for example, you can donate time, such as volunteering an hour a week or even helping a neighbor in need by sharing the few hours they need to rake leaves. If you have children, take them along and let them help. That way you can teach them a valuable lesson about helping others.

Deal With Your Own Ego

If you have an argument or dispute with a loved one, even if you feel that your loved one is to blame, do not let your pride keep you from admitting your mistake. Emotions can run high in these situations, and conflicting egos can make it hard to see what’s best for everyone.

Many conflicts stem from ego. Often someone feels they are in the wrong and wants to apologize, but the other person does not want to admit they did anything wrong – or at least does not want to apologize.

Do not allow yourself to become that person. If you think you did something wrong, or even if you think the other person might be right, admit it. Admitting you made a mistake can end a conflict immediately and make more of a difference than you think by getting others to think about your humble action.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Our daily routine can be stressful, and if we don’t take care of our own mental health, how can we help others?

Without good mental health (e.g., depression), it’s hard to think of the little things we can do to make a positive difference. It’s important to eat well, sleep well, exercise, etc. When you’re balanced, every little step you take makes a big difference.

Be the Bigger Person

Being the bigger person makes a difference in your own life when you choose to act with more respect than you are treated. It shows that you have confidence in yourself and in the choices you make.

Leading by example is what many great leaders have done to make a positive change in the world.

They set the standard for others who follow in their footsteps and do the same, always keeping the big picture in mind.

It also shows others how they should treat you. If they are rude, insult you, or act disrespectfully toward you, it’s time for them to learn manners – or find out what it’s like to get along on their own without your friendship and support!

Train Yourself

Your life is your training ground. Just as the athlete trains his body and mind to become a champion, you can train yourself to achieve your goals.

It’s not just athletes who need to train. That’s right, you have to too.

You can not get anywhere without training, especially in a field where the world depends on individuals making a big difference to shaping a better future. Of course, you will not have the power to change policy or sign peace treaties, but who knows who will cross your path or talk about you in the future?

If you are focused and determined, you can empower yourself to do anything. You can learn new skills, become a better communicator, or develop a better work ethic. You can learn to be more organized or manage your finances better. You can practice one little thing at a time: being more patient, compassionate, and understanding with yourself and others. Doing the right little things is what could make the biggest difference.

What Have You Done to Improve the Lives of Others?

A good way to practice making a difference is to keep a journal and write down each day what you did to make a difference that reminds you to practice each day. You do not have to do anything really big, but small acts like the ones above can make a huge difference.

Related Posts About Making a Positive Difference

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“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~Robert Brault

I believe life is in the details. Ongoing small gestures can mean so much more than one grand display of love. Simple pleasures throughout the day can be far more gratifying that one amazing weekend. When you connect the dots between all these little joys, life seems fuller and more satisfying.

I’ve created a list of all the little things that fill me with bliss. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

1. Breakfast in bed. You don’t need someone to bring it to you—just make it and then curl back up with your duvet!

2. Cuddling in bed in the morning. A body pillow isn’t quite the same as someone you love, but sometimes it just feels good to hold something in your arms.

3. A smile from a stranger ; give one and you may get one.

4. Children playing , reminding you to be joyful. Pass the park on the way home.

5. A small gesture of kindness from someone who loves you. The remote control your husband handed over—now that’s love.

6. Your music , when you want it. Pull out your iPod and enjoy.

7. An outdoor lunch. Nothing invigorates a day like the feeling of sunlight on your face.

8. Five minutes of deep breathing.

9. An embrace that lasts just a little longer than usual. Give someone a long hug today!

10. A small victory. Can you fix that leaky faucet on your own?

11. A small change to your routine to make your day feel exciting.

12. An opportunity to be creative. Don’t wait for one—make one. Start a journal or a scrapbook, or get creative a routine task at work to make it more exciting.

13. A snack or beverage you savor. You know how that girl in the commercial seems to get way too much pleasure from a foamy latte she made at home? That girl could be you.

14. The moment after the rain stops. Everything smells clean, fresh, and revitalized.

15. A deep stretch. The benefits of loosening your muscles exceed enhanced relaxation. Check out Nursing Degree’s 77 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga for a little food for thought.

16. A beautiful sunset or sunrise. Nothing is more inspirational that tuning into nature’s majesty.

17. Playing a game you loved as a child. Pull out Candyland and tap into the simplicity of childhood.

18. An extra half-hour of sleep. Hit the sack a little earlier one night and see how this changes your day.

19. A spa-like shower experience. Remember that commercial reference I made before? You too can get way too excited washing your hair with Herbal Essences shampoo.

20. A thoughtful question from a friend. When she asks, “What’s your favorite childhood memory?” she’s trying to learn what makes you happy. How beautiful that she cares to know.

21. Fresh, organic food. Organic food has higher nutrient levels and lower pesticide residues—and it often tastes better than non-organic food.

22. A five-minute massage. Ask your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend to trade. Or if you’re single, get a spa pedicure in one of those amazing massage chairs.

23. A long phone conversation , like you used to have in junior high. Curl up with your cell, call a dear friend, and start reminiscing.

24. Ten minutes with an animal. Petting an animal is actually quite meditative. If you don’t have a pet, head to your local dog park and make a new furry friend.

25. An extra dollar in your pocket. Bring lunch from home and put your usual lunch money aside for a rainy day.

26. Finding money you didn’t know you had. Leave a ten in your coat pocket and then forget about it. Future you will be pretty psyched.

27. Receiving a hand-written letter. Become a pen pal—even if it’s to someone you know in person—so you can both give and receive non-e-communication.

28. A sweater straight from the dryer on a cold day. If you can push a button, this simple pleasure can be yours at any time.

29. A smell that evokes a visceral reaction. Does lemon pie make you think of your grandmother? Head over to the bakery and lurk.

30. Something so funny it makes you laugh out loud…  not in LOL form.

31. Feeling someone take your hand in theirs. There’s something blissfully intimate and meaningful about holding hands. Reach out and touch someone. (Cue the music.)

32. A book you’ve been dying to read. Amazon’s calling your name.

33. Watching your child learn from watching you. It’s touching how she looks at you for cues on who to be.

34. An itch you can actually reach. I adore my wooden back scratcher.

35. A new recipe that comes out perfectly. Ask your friend for one of her favorites.

36. A home remedy that works better than the store-bought solution .

37. The feeling of sand between your toes. If you live near a beach, set aside some time to walk it.

38. Flowers you didn’t expect. Okay, you can’t really make this one happen. But you can “surprise” yourself with a bouquet whenever you want.

39. A small gesture of support. A hand on your lower back. A tight squeeze of your hand before you get up for your speech. Four simple words: “I believe in you.” Minor actions, huge impact.

40. Extending a small courtesy and watching the effect. Hold the door for someone or thank them for something most people wouldn’t notice.

The list can go on and on. Have anything to add?

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here .

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Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Michael Winther December 13, 2010 Commentaries

An IPS Commentary By Michael R. Winther, President of the Institute for Principle Studies

Little Things Can Make A Big Difference

Almost every bill that comes into my mailbox contains content designed to promote a political agenda. My city water bill, my electricity bill, my natural gas bill, and even my home and auto insurance bills contain regular content designed to alter the political landscape. No, they are not asking me to support a particular political candidate or a political party—these messages are more subtle than that—but they are no less powerful.

Subtle & Persuasive

These politically persuasive messages usually fall into one of two categories. Less frequently, they tell me of the necessity of some political solution that I should support. For example, my health insurance company has promoted the necessity of health care reform. Although it didn’t specify the exact reforms that I should support, its timing seemed to lend support to the bill that was working through Congress at that time. My auto insurance company included an insert advocating for a ballot proposition that would increase government control of the insurance system.

More frequently, these messages are designed to convince me of the existence of a particular problem. More often than not, these “problems” are the political rationale for current political agendas. In fact, most of these problems are either scientifically dubious or completely contrived issues that exist only to drive a set of public policy objectives. In the last decade, these “problems” have centered on pollution, global warming, and climate change.

Private vs. Public

When the entity doing the advocacy is a private company, I absolutely support their freedom to express their opinion. At the same time, their customers are equally free to express to that company their disagreement. It doesn’t take very many customer disagreements to cause a business to re-think its positions—or at least the aggressiveness with which it promotes these positions.

When the entity is a public (government) agency, however, this kind of advocacy is inappropriate. After all, they are using my tax dollars to promote an agenda that I don’t support. Again, these agencies should hear from constituents who disagree with their advocacy.

Take Action

The next time you see a government agency or even a private company advocating a dangerous agenda (whether directly or indirectly), take the time to call or write them and complain. It will make a difference.

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The small things make the biggest difference in each day

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People often say that you don’t need to mind the little things. They say you can just brush them off, forget about them, and continue on with life as if they never happened. But what those people don’t know is that the little things do matter. Small acts of love daily can mean much more compared to a grand romantic gesture that happens only once in a year. And simple delights throughout the day can make all the difference and allow you to enjoy a fuller and more satisfying life.

The pursuit of happiness is a lifelong journey for many people. And while there are many roads that you can choose to take, one of them is through performing a series of small acts each day. You may not see it now, but over time, you will come to realise how these tiny details add up and create value in your life. Here are 10 little things that you can do to make a big difference in your day:

Having enough sleep

With so much to do in so little time, it’s rare for people nowadays to get a healthy eight hours of sleep in one go. And cheating by taking several naps throughout the day while backing it up with a boost of caffeine doesn’t count. Not having enough sleep affects not only your physical well-being but your emotional and mental health as well. So be sure to get the right amount of shut-eye each night.

A small change to your routine

Add some spice to your life and switch up your routine just a little bit. Try calling an old friend or taking a day trip to a new place. The beauty of life lies in knowing that the best is still yet to come. Life is full of endless possibilities, and you never know what could happen anytime, anywhere.

Five minutes of deep breathing

It’s time to hit the pause button and just stay still for once. Spend five minutes inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply. Simply focusing on the day ahead can improve your mood and allow you to feel more relaxed. This will definitely improve the way you perform your tasks later on.

Fresh, organic food (if you can get it)

Take a break from fast food and treat yourself to a dish of fresh, organic food. It has higher nutrient levels and lower pesticide residues compared to non-organics. It also tastes much better and provides your body with better health benefits.

A deep stretch – yoga

Contact your yoga instructor and set an appointment for that yoga session that you’ve been putting off for so long. Loosening your muscles through deep stretches greatly enhances relaxation. Daily practice is helpful in creating a better and happier version of you.

A smile from a stranger

Show off your pearly whites to someone you meet out on the street. A simple smile or nod from a stranger can give you a feeling of connection that you probably didn’t know you needed. Be sure to give a smile first and you’ll most likely receive one later.

An opportunity to be creative

Let your creative juices flow, and try expressing yourself through a range of mediums. Don’t just sit around and wait for inspiration to hit you, get up and chase it. You can start by writing in your journal, taking some awesome photos, singing, making something, or painting a picture. Creativity will call you in your own unique way. Go express yourself.

Hearing your favorite song

There’s just something about hearing your favorite song on the radio that makes you want to sing along. Belting out those lyrics can help release the tension and stress off your mind, even for just a moment. Remember to keep humming that melody in your heart and you’re guaranteed to enjoy the rest of your day.

A 5-minute massage

It’s time to loosen the tension in your muscles and give yourself that much-needed massage. Just ask for a 5-minute massage one from your significant other. Or if you’re feeling up to it, you can take yourself on a trip to the massage parlor and let the professionals do the job.

A morning lie-in (if you can get one)

Nothing can beat hitting the snooze button on your alarm after a hectic week. Sleeping in can give your body the rest it needs and prepare you for the busy day ahead. You don’t know the wonders an extra half-hour of sleep can do to your day.

In the midst of the hubbub of life, it’s difficult to find the time to relax and simply be thankful that you’re alive. Whether you’re at a crossroads, embarking on a new journey, or waiting for your big break, just sit back and remember that your time will come soon enough. Make an effort to perform these little things throughout your day, and you’ll definitely see a positive change in your life, resulting in a better and happier version of yourself.

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