You flop onto the couch.

You feel utterly exhausted – mentally and physically.

This day has been one big, chaotic rush. It seems like you haven’t accomplished anything. At least not anything you wanted to do.

What ever happened to those big lifestyle changes you vowed to make? You wanted everything to be so good. But look at the reality now!

Work was hectic and you ended up snapping at your co-workers over nothing. You were supposed to go to the gym after work. That didn’t happen. You’re too tired. Spending time with your friends tonight won’t happen either. They haven’t seen you for weeks, but money is scarce and time even more so.

Makes no difference anyway.

It seems like you just can’t make the positive changes you’ve set out to make in your life. So, what’s the use in trying?

Maybe the problem is that you’re trying to make too many monumental changes and setting yourself up for failure. Believe it or not, making small changes, one at a time, can make a bigger difference than trying to completely refashion your whole life.

Consider making some of these small changes:

• Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier. This can give you time to begin your day with a more positive tone. What could you possibly do in 30 minutes that could impact your day in a big way? How about read something uplifting or inspiring to think about throughout the day? Or why not take a 20 minute bath instead of a quick shower to start the day feeling more relaxed?

• Show yourself thankful. It’s one of the easiest and most inexpensive changes you can make. Saying “thank you” to others costs you nothing, and will give you both an enormous, positive boost. If you give yourself a little time to contemplate and appreciate the things others do, it’s easy to be ready to thank them for a job well done, their help, or a thoughtful gesture.

• Engage your senses. Things that appeal to our five senses help us stay calm and energized. Why not make the most out of that truth by listening to uplifting music, displaying beautiful and aromatic flowers in your home,  sipping your favorite hot beverage, or using a fragrant lotion to massage your feet?

• Spend face-to-face time with people you like daily. The fact is, communication is mostly nonverbal, and therefore requires direct contact with other people. Distractions and barriers hinder communication. Try hiding the TV remote or turning off that computer for a little while to actually interact with other people face-to-face. It doesn’t have to be for hours. Small doses of positive social interaction helps create trust and support and, in turn, can help reduce stress.

• Enjoy the beauty around you. Stroll through a park, garden, or along a beach. Admire the architecture of buildings. This can actually lower your blood pressure and relieve stress. Could you take 15 minutes a day around your home or workplace to take a walk, admiring your surroundings? The fact is, walking for 15 minutes a day is much easier to implement than an extensive workout routine. And if you do it outdoors, you’ll also profit from much needed exposure to sunlight, which helps lift the mood.

• Do things that are actually fun – They say play is a necessity for good emotional and mental health. Play, though, means different things to different people. So, what is it that you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? Do you like reading a good book? Gardening? Painting? Cooking? Enjoy the things that you like most. Be creative, and don’t forget to let yourself discover new things!