Today, in my mini-series of posts by some of my lovely and inspirational friends who have talents and tips to share to help others live their best lives, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, I welcome Jennifer Scott from spiritfinder.org to share with us how we can significantly change our lives in practical ways.

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You can change your life. Maybe there are some circumstances you can’t change. Maybe there are some obligations that will stick around for a while. But you can change your mindset and adopt new habits that, when put together, improve your life exponentially.

Yes, it will take work. Yes, it will take time to get used to some of these changes. But when you realize the benefits that come with making positive life changes, it will all be worth it.

This article is for someone who needs some initial ideas for making simple but profound life changes. If that’s you, then keep reading.

Adopt a nutrition-first mentality toward food.

What we eat not only affects our physical and mental health, but what we think about food significantly influences what we eat. This symbiotic relationship between our minds and food choices can be used to our advantage.

Rather than eating primarily for taste and comfort, commit to a nutrition-first approach. That is, dedicate a certain period of time — whether it’s two weeks, a month or six months — during which you choose your meals based on the nutrition they provide your body and mind. Once it becomes a habit and you see the benefits, your palate is likely to change, which will make it easier to maintain a healthy diet for the long term.

Take a multivitamin.

Even when you’re eating well, there are certain gaps in your nutrition. Multivitamins can help fill these gaps, thus boosting your overall health and well-being. Additionally, the right multivitamin can provide you with more energy, improve your gut health, enhance your mood, and even benefit the health of your skin, nails, and hair.

Discover a fun exercise routine.

You’ve probably heard plenty about how much exercise can improve your overall health and well-being — and it really can make a big difference. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to start exercising, much less keep at it long-term.

That’s why it’s important to find something you actually like doing — try yoga, try running, try power walking, try weightlifting, try HIIT. Try swimming or hiking, or give basketball a shot (pun intended). There’s something out there that you will enjoy, and when you find it, sticking to your routine will suddenly feel like a practical goal.

Get a dog.

Another change to consider is adding a dog in your life. The companionship that comes with owning a dog can yield a number of benefits for your well-being, including:

• Help with weight management
• Better cardiovascular health
• Reduced stress
• Relieved anxiety and depression symptoms
• Increased sense of purpose

If you’ve never had a dog before, don’t worry — you can get by just fine with dog food, a couple of bowls, a bed, and a few toys. Training your pup is essential to ensuring a healthy relationship and keeping your pup safe, and investing in a dog training collar can help you with that process. These collars allow you to train your dog gently, and they have several different levels of static shock and vibration to choose from, as well as beeping sounds.

Stop saying yes all the time.

This one is harder than it looks. If you’re like most people, you don’t like to disappoint others. This means that you don’t like to tell people “no.” The problem with this strategy, however, is that saying yes all the time leaves less room for you to do other, more important things.

Revisit your priorities, and determine what people and activities are the most significant in your life. And remember that when you say no to something, you can say yes to something better.

The time to make changes is now. Rethink the food you eat and look for a multivitamin that will add the nutrition your body needs. Find a fun way to exercise, consider getting a dog, and learn how to say no. It won’t be long before you start reeling in the benefits.

Jennifer Scott knows how difficult it can be to live with anxiety and depression. She has experienced both since she was in her teens. Today, she writes about the ups and downs of her mental illness on Spirit Finder.