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Twelve Small Changes with a Big Impact

Feb 1, 2012; 10:49 AM ET

If you're like me, you gave up on big, ambitious New Year's resolutions years ago. Grand pledges for sweeping changes set me up for failure one too many times. (Giving up fried foods? Really, Kathryn?) This year, why not take a more measured approach to a happier, healthier you? From your office to your bedroom to your car, these small changes can have a big impact on your life.

1. Wake up ten minutes earlier. When you start your morning in a frantic sprint, you set a stressful tone for the day. (I'm speaking from experience here.) Even ten extra minutes in the morning can help you feel more calm, collected, and ready to face the day.

2. Spend five minutes in silence or meditation. You'll soon realize, whether it's in the morning or evening, that five minutes of sitting quietly with your eyes closed feels a lot longer than five minutes. But just this short respite can foster a tranquility that carries through the day. When things go off the rails (as they inevitably do), simply close your eyes and recall that earlier quietude.

3. Make your bed. I once heard the saying, "Messy bed, messy head," and it's true. I wasn't always a bed-maker, but once I started I realized what a difference just pulling up the sheets and straightening the pillows made in my general outlook for the day. Plus, a made bed is much more inviting to climb into at night.

4. Walk. Is there one trip you'd normally make in the car (to work, the gym, the store) that you can make on foot? Walking saves money (good for you) and gas (good for the environment) and burns calories (around 2,000 steps equal one mile). Need motivation? Take a pedometer (there's one on many iPods and phones) with you.

5. Swap your latte for tea. Those sugary coffee drinks we suck down can actually drain our energy, as well as our wallets. A Starbucks grande latte with skim milk has 150 mg caffeine, 130 calories, and 18 grams of sugar and will set you back almost $4 (or over $1,000 a year). Avoid a sugar crash and ditch your caffeine crutch by switching to tea (black has just 14-61 mg caffeine). Spice it up with lemon and honey or agave syrup instead of sugar. Save even more money by brewing it yourself.

6. Swap your Coke (or Diet Coke) for water. Studies have linked soda (particularly of the diet variety) to kidney damage, weight gain, tooth decay, and bone loss. Especially if you consume more than one a day, consider trading a can for a cup of water.

To read the rest of Kathryn William's article, click here.

Kathryn Williams

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