Lifestyle

How to Get the Tools You Need to Live a Happy Healthy Life

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2025

Living a happy healthy life isn’t as easy as many will have you believe. Social media is often filled with quick fixes, expensive supplements, and highlight reels to convince you that all it takes is [enter product or service for sale here]. The reality is that you need tools for that life — like a nutritious diet, sufficient sleep, stress management, and positive social connections. And many people don’t have the slightest idea how to get those tools. Here are the critical steps:

Know What You Need

First, because both happiness and health are specific to the individual, the most important ability you need is self-awareness. If you can’t see yourself clearly, it will be almost impossible to improve yourself. So, take a good hard look at yourself and factor in your strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself what you’re capable of and what you need to get there.

For example, some people may be in good physical shape and simply need to hire a personal trainer to help take their fitness to the next level. Others need a full panel of tests at a local clinic to figure out what health issues they may need to address. In cases of abuse or addiction, you might need weekly therapy, or you may benefit from inpatient treatment for substance abuse. You’ll have to evaluate your specific situation and go from there.

Ask for Help

If life is really bad and has been for some time, and you feel like you just can’t pull yourself out of a downward spiral, you most likely need to ask someone for help. Even in the case of an average life change, it could help to have an outside opinion in the form of a therapist, a friend, or a family member you trust. Many people struggle to ask for help, so this step may be especially challenging for you.

Remind yourself that truly everyone needs help at some time in their lives, whether they realize it or not. It’s also helpful to remember that many people enjoy helping others and even sign up as volunteers or go into service jobs for that reason. If you have trouble asking someone you know for help, look into local resources like counseling or social services, which can be inexpensive or even free. Those spaces will be able to help you get the additional tools you need.

Make Sure You Have a Safe Space to Live

Speaking of spaces, it’s hard to access the tools you need for a happy healthy life if you don’t have a safe space to live. Where are you supposed to sleep? Where can you store your nutritious food? These are real concerns for a lot of people, and if you’re one of them, you need to take it seriously. Look around you. Are you living in a safe environment that invites you to thrive and become your best self? If the answer is no, it’s time for a change.

Obviously, it’s not typically easy to just pick up and leave your current residence, but, again, if you answered “no” to the question above, you’ll need to take the leap. If you can afford it, get your own place, so you have more of a sense of control over your own life and choices. If not, reach out to your resources, like social services, and find out about safe, affordable housing. Also, if you have a friend or family member you trust, you may be able to stay with them.

Find Rewarding Work

Another crucial step toward accessing the essential tools for a good life is finding work you enjoy. It’s not enough to make money; plenty of people are miserable at high-paying jobs. Your goal should be to find the intersection between what you’re good at (what skills you have) and what you love. Then, work with your resources to figure out what kind of work you can do that will pay you a living wage or more.

When you find rewarding work, you can look forward to showing up to do your job every day. Most people spend more time at work each week than they do doing anything else, except maybe sleeping. It’s important you feel good about your work. Then, you won’t end up numbing your misery with drugs, alcohol, food, or too much screen time. Instead, you’ll be more encouraged to eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise, so you can keep showing up.

Engage in Community

Finally, in addition to those resources you find and utilize, you’ll also want to find and engage in community. This may begin with a program like Alcoholics Anonymous or a support group for grief or eating habits, but it can evolve into book clubs, walking groups, and more. Try to give as much as you get in these community spaces, whether it’s at your local farmer’s market or at a soup kitchen.

The more socially engaged you are, the better you feel, and the more likely you are to keep up your self-care. Community provides this feeling of giving back like few other avenues do because you are in an almost constant state of giving and receiving. When you want to be part of something, you can join a group or festival and socialize. At the same time, when you feel up to contributing, you can lend a hand and make a difference. Many times, you can do both at the same time.

The tools you need for a happy healthy life are basic. You require good food, sleep, exercise, and people. But as basic as they are, many people need a lot of help to get to where they can access those tools. The most important part of this entire process, toward getting happy and healthy, is acknowledging that you are worthy of those tools and that life. From there, you can start doing the work to get them.

Lifestyle

The Breakroom Reset: Small Changes That Improve the Workday

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Michelle Langton

The office breakroom is a space that’s often neglected and can sometimes feel more like an afterthought than a key feature of the workplace. This is unfortunate, especially since employees typically visit the breakroom to rest and recuperate before finishing their shift. Considering its intended function, the breakroom should be viewed as one of the most important spaces in the entire office.

Having a welcoming and rejuvenating breakroom can promote social interaction, enhance workplace culture, and reduce stress. Employees who feel restored after visiting the breakroom are more likely to feel happy at work and be more productive the rest of the day. If your workplace breakroom leaves a lot to be desired, here are some small changes you can make to totally reset it.

Small Breakroom Changes That Improve the Workday

Unless your breakroom is in shambles and needs major reconstruction, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it to make it more inviting. In many cases, small and simple changes can make a big impact on the overall vibe of any space.

Whether you’re working with a limited budget or limited space, there are still plenty of things you can do to reset your boring breakroom. Here are some small breakroom changes that can improve the workday and give you maximum bang for your buck.

Convenient Hydration Options

Employees need to stay hydrated to keep their health and energy levels high. Unfortunately, many employees are chronically dehydrated because they don’t have access to tasty beverages at work. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to install a soda machine in the breakroom. Giving workers unlimited access to sugary drinks could backfire in the long run by contributing to illnesses and increased sick days.

Instead of offering sugary beverages (that can actually contribute to dehydration in the long run), make it easier for your employees to stay hydrated with pure water. Providing a filtered office drinking water system is one of the best ways to encourage optimal hydration. Most employees will appreciate the clean, tasty alternative to standard office tap water.

Comfy Seating

When was the last time you took a look at the seating arrangements in your breakroom? If it’s been a while, take a walk over there and give it a good look. Is there sufficient space for multiple employees to sit at the same time? Are the seats comfortable and rearrangeable so employees can interact with others or achieve greater privacy as desired? If not, you might benefit from a breakroom seating reset.

Seating arrangements in breakrooms should be both comfortable and flexible. You might want to bring in some modular furniture because it’s easy to move and rearrange as needed. For maximum versatility, seating arrangements should include a mix of traditional breakroom chairs and tables, lounge chairs, and even bean bags. Making the space as open as possible will also help it look more roomy and inviting.

Nutritious Snack Options

Most employers don’t provide full meals for their employees. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect workers to make their own lunch or dinner arrangements. However, if you want to support your employees’ energy levels, keep healthy snacks in your breakroom. Nutritious snacks can enhance employee performance throughout the day, so workers find it easier to get more done.

Instead of investing in chips, candy bars, and other sugary sweets, opt for snack options that won’t cause sugar spikes and inevitable crashes. Some great options include trail mixes, protein bars, fresh fruit, popcorn, and veggie trays. Instant oatmeal cups can also be a convenient source of energy for those who don’t have time to grab breakfast before heading to work. You might want to send out an employee survey to see what types of healthy snacks your workers prefer.

Optimal Lighting

Did you know that poor lighting can negatively impact your employees’ psychological and emotional well-being? Improving workplace lighting (including in the breakroom) can make a huge difference in worker morale and energy levels. Warm white light may be a great choice for the breakroom because it creates a soothing, calm atmosphere. Cool white light might be a better fit for conference rooms and cubicle areas because it enhances focus and energy.

Of course, natural light is arguably the best option for the office whenever it’s available. If your breakroom has windows, try to keep the shades open during working hours. That way, employees can experience the mood- and health-boosting benefits of natural light exposure.

Entertainment Options

Some office managers and CEOs mistakenly think that a breakroom should be boring to serve its purpose well. However, the terms “boring” and “relaxing” are not synonymous. Employees may find a boring breakroom to be surprisingly non-restorative. On the flip side, a room equipped for entertainment can be very relaxing and rejuvenating.

To make your breakroom a more enjoyable place to spend time, you might want to install a corner television. That way, workers can watch their favorite sitcom while they relax. You might also keep a few card or board games stocked in a cupboard for employees who prefer to interact in fun ways during their lunch breaks.

Reset Your Breakroom Today

Your employee breakroom can reveal a lot about your overall workplace environment. If it’s not lit well, or if it’s boring and unwelcoming, workers are more likely to feel underappreciated and discontented. The good news is that you don’t have to sink a lot of money or effort into resetting your breakroom and getting a fresh start. Use these simple tips to revamp your breakroom and make it a place where workers can go to feel truly cared for and relaxed.