4 Daily Routines for a Healthier Happier Life

At the beginning of every year social media feeds, magazine stands and infomercials are capitalizing the "New Year, New You" mantras that many of us adopt as part of our New Year resolutions. The start of a new year isn't going to make us any as better people, so try these 4 Daily Routines for a Healthier, Happier Life!

Just like spring cleaning isn't going to keep my closets from collecting clutter over the next 364 days. What does entice change are the small routines we adopt in our daily lives. By making, changing, adding or breaking our routines we all strive to live healthier, happier lives. This year I wanted to share four incredibly simple routines that can help you create a healthier, happier life. I promise they're far easier than hitting the gym everyday or giving up smoking (which I am currently working on).

4 Daily Routines for a Healthier, Happier Life

Review your goals. Everyone has goals, especially in the month following the New Year. By reviewing our goals every day, we keep them present in our minds - which in turn allows us to stay on track.

Break your goals into smaller tasks so that you can work toward accomplishing something every day, every week, etc - it makes it easier to stay motivated when you're constantly crossing things off and feeling accomplished.

Practice mindful breathing. Mindful breathing is a great way to manage stress whether you have one minute or five. Not only is it great for managing stress but it also enhances cognitive functioning (like memory and concentration!), it also improves our mental and emotional states while helping our bodies relax.

I have bee working on this whole meditation thing for about six months now, and I think that I am FINALLY starting to get the hang of it. If you want to get into meditation, I recommend searching for YouTube Videos, or hitting up your local metaphysical shop for books, DVDs and supplies.

I recently purchased these Tibetan mala beads to help with my meditation and I love it.

Spread encouragement. Drop a card in the mail, call a friend, send a text or put it on social media. Spreading encouragement does more than makes someone else' day brighter, it makes your brighter too. It only takes a few minutes and can make a world of a difference. It's just good karma, people! Be nice...

Create a beauty routine. As someone who considers themselves to be somewhat of a minimalist in the beauty regime department, I still know the value of caring for my skin. It seems the second I turned 35, everything began changing, and I was left scrambling, trying to figure out which skin care product worked best for me.

The problem is that finding quality skincare products can be overwhelming for all of us - I get it! When in doubt, it's important to go with the well-known brands that you can trust.

Take the new Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream as an example. This great cream moisturizes deeply and delivers anti-aging results in just one week! 

Too rich for an airless pump, the brand developed a patented retinol stability technology that maintains retinol efficacy, even in an open jar form after exposure to oxygen and light. The jar is also so pretty that you can leave it setting out in your bathroom - or make up on an Avanity vanity - and it looks so nice sitting there!

Did you know Neutrogena has been a tried & true brand in the skincare game for over 80 years? They recently introduced this brand-new retinol cream in an effort to help older women like me take care of my skin today, while simultaneously preparing it for the years to come.

My skin isn't too weathered yet, but I am rapidly approaching the big 4 0 and I know that the longer I wait to take care of my skin, the harder it will be to maintain this youthful appearance.

I won't lie, as a newly-single 38 year old, I have a real concern about how my face is holding up as I age. It's no secret that I have a habit of dating younger men...part of the reason I am able to do that is because I don't LOOK like I am about to turn 39 in a few short months. BUT I REALLY AM.

There is absolutely no denying my age - I don't even try. One of the things I love most about Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream is that unlike most retinol products, which can be harsh and unforgiving to the skin, Neutrogena’s retinol cream is packed with powerful moisturizing ingredients.

Even before you begin applying the cream, you can see how rich and luxurious it is. It's so creamy and smooth!

Neutrogena’s retinol cream is packed with powerful moisturizing ingredients to leave skin fresh, nourished and plumped. Even better, it's suited for all skin care types, so I'll never have to try to figure out if I'm dry, oily, combination or option D.

That alone makes takes it up a notch in my books, because it makes using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream such an easy, hassle-free decision.

What are some routines you're adopting in the new year? You can find out more about Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream here! I've been using it for over a week and I can already notice an improvement in my skin - be kind - this is a no make up pic!

Side note: This product should not be used if pregnant or breastfeeding.