13 Ways to Make Life Sweeter than Sugar

“Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.” —Emily Dickinson

What if life was so sweet that you didn’t need to find it in food?

What if you could do things to make yourself feel amazing that didn’t have negative consequences?

Although food plays a big role in our lives, it’s important to recognize when it’s taking up an unhealthy portion of our time, energy and focus. If food has been consuming more of your life then you would like it to, below are 13 ways to find pleasure in life so you don’t always need to find it in food.

1. Choose a big purpose for your life

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”― Dolly Parton

Find a way to cultivate your gifts, passions and strengths and share them with the world. Help as many people as you can with what you have and know. I can’t think of many things that feel better than contributing to someone else’s life in a positive way.

2. Find out how you like to move your body and do it every day

“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel” - Kevin Trudeau

Our body is meant to move, but there’s no need to slog away at a gym if you hate it. Dance, crawl, walk, run, bike, hike, yoga - whatever - just MOVE YOUR BODY DAILY. (Ideally in the morning to set yourself up for improved moods, sharper focus and more energy).

3. Cherish the gift of your body

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. - Jim Rohn

Discover the best foods for your body and prepare most of your meals yourself. Learn to listen to what your body is telling you it needs and trust it. Get enough sleep. Prioritize self-care. Don’t wait for a health crisis or scare to start putting your health first. Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

4. Find your peeps

“Surround yourself with people who get it.”

We are tribal creatures. We thrive in community. Find like-minded people who you can be yourself with. People who you can cry, laugh and dream with. And find at least one person you can call or text at all hours of the day or night.

5. Pursue a passion

“Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.” – Terri Guillemets

Find something that lights you up and you can do just for fun. An art, craft, topic of interest you can dive into, creative outlet, whatever floats your boat and you can get lost in for hours.

6. Set outrageous goals

“Always make your future bigger than your past.” – Dan Sullivan

According to Tony Robbins, growth is one of our 6 human needs. Let your imagination run wild. Dream big. Write down what you want every single day. Vision yourself having achieved your goals and living your dreams. Picture your future self and practice being that person until you become them.

7. Go on adventures

”Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Uncertainty is another one of our 6 human needs. Although we thrive with certainty and routine, we also crave novelty and the excitement of diversity. Our brains grow when we are exposed to new things. So explore new places, have new experiences, try new things, and travel to new lands.

8. Learn how to be with yourself

“Mindfulness is a befriending of ourselves and our experience” – Jon Kabat Zinn

The truth is, the only person who can make you happy is yourself. Although we prefer to pass off that responsibility to other people, places and things, ultimately it’s up to us. Become the master of your own mind by journaling, meditation, and reflection. Focusing your mind intentionally instead of letting your mind boss you around is one of the most important skills you can develop.

9. Explore ALL 5 of your sensory pleasures (not just taste)

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” W.B. Yeats

Smell, touch, hearing, sight… are all different ways of taking in our worldly experience. Use aromatherapy, slather yourself with lovely smelling oils, surround yourself with beautiful things, play music that moves you, wear soft clothes or wrap yourself up in warm blankets.

10. Be inspired

Surround yourself with people who remind you more of your future than your past.” - Dan Sullivan

Find a role model, a mentor, a coach - someone that makes you want to become a better person and live a better life. Someone that has accomplished great things and made a big impact in the world. Expose yourself to their teachings - be in their presence, learn from them, and practice that they teach you.

11. Find someone or something to snuggle with

“Amazing how manageable life can feel with only one blanket and the right two arms.” – Tyler Knott Gregson

Humans thrive with physical touch - be that with a lover, a child or a pet. Snuggling releases the feel good hormone oxytocin which creates a positive chain reaction that improves our overall well-being. A hug a day just could keep the doctor away.

12. Learn to relax

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

In our over-stimulated, over-scheduled lives, relaxing has become more of a necessity than a luxury. With more than half of the population suffering from stress-related diseases, creating calm amidst our busy lives is essential. Taking a bath, going for a walk, sitting down with a good book - even a few deep breaths goes a long way in cultivating balance.

13. Be grateful for everything

“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette

Our brains are often focused on the negative, what’s missing or how we’re falling short. A simple reframe and flip in perspective can help us see the good, appreciate what we have or even find the lesson learned in a difficult situation. A gratitude practice is one of the simplest ways to feel good instantly.

If food is the only thing bringing you pleasure in your life, there might be some work to do. Start with just one of the things above and commit to making your life so amazing, that food pails in comparison.

“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.” —Sarah Louise Delany

Ready to take control of your eating habits? Grab my FREE Stop Mindless Snacking Guide here.