21 Lifestyle Hacks to Save You Time and Stress

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Life can be crazy, can’t it? In fact, it seems like life is crazy much of the time, at least in my world. This is why every little thing we can do to make life just a bit easier makes things SO much easier. I love picking up little tips and tricks. Anything that allows me to multiply my time and productivity are the kinds of things I am forever trying to come up with. I’ve picked up several lifestyle hacks over the years just by trial and error…figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

These are little things that I so often do that I don’t even think about. Many of them are like second nature to me. Making the most of everything whether it is money, work tasks, or time with family and friends are all things I’ve had to master as the CEO of my family. Really, we all have to do this because whether we like it or not, we are the only CEO of our life. Ultimately, the buck always stops with us. We’ve really got no one else to blame for the direction of our life.

I am so excited to share these amazing lifestyle hacks with you! Implement a fair amount of them, and you will see your efficiency and happiness soar while your stress is reduced, starting today.

Here are my best lifestyle hacks for more happiness and less stress.

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1. Get up 15 minutes earlier than necessary

This is an amazing way to give yourself an automatic 15-minute buffer for things to go wrong. After all, we all know things do go wrong. That added 15 minutes can absorb quite a bit.

2. Take at least 15 minutes for yourself every day

This refers to vegging out somehow. Get lost in a book, listen to some tunes. Just close your eyes. Spend 15 minutes every day doing something that you WANT to do.

3. Never stop learning

To stop learning is to cease moving forward. It doesn’t matter what you’re learning…only that you are learning.

4. Do the same things on the same day every week

This has been life changing for me. Run errands on the same day. Do laundry on the same day. Pay your bills on the same day. Clean your house on the same day. It is amazing how much having that solid routine in place will help you take your productivity to the next level, reducing stress in the meantime.

5. Listen to a book on Audible first, and then read the book

I actually listen to the books on double speed to save time. But listening and then reading makes your comprehension and your retention so much greater. You can try Audible for FREE for 30 days, and check out this special deal (just click on the deal) Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks

6. Work in time blocks

Completing tasks within a well-defined beginning and end helps you be more focused on whatever you are doing. Read more on time blocks HERE.

7. Batch like tasks together

Schedule phone calls all at one time. Check your email all at one time. When you’re “in the groove,” you are so much more effective.

8. Look the part for the role you play every day

Whether you are spending your day in the home or out, look the part of the role you are supposed to play. I am always amazed at how much more seriously my kids take me when I am looking put together verses when I am wearing my pajamas all day. Look the part for who you want to be…it is amazing how your behavior and the behavior of those around you will follow that lead.

9. Start your day with 8 ounces of water within the first 15 minutes of getting up

There is just something about getting your body working properly right in the beginning of your day. Your body needs water, especially after sleeping all night. Keeping a cup or water bottle someplace where you will see it right away serves as a great reminder.

10. Drink more water every day by having a pretty cup or water bottle

So if you are male, maybe not a pretty one, but have a designated water cup or bottle that makes you want to drink from it. It needs to be something you don’t mind looking at since you are going to be leaving it out.

11. Work with a timer

This is a way of challenging yourself to get more done. It works wonders, even with kids

12. Practice minimalism

The less you have in your life, the less you have to deal with and manage. This applies to so many things. This principle also allows you to focus on the quality of everything from the things you own to the relationships you nurture.

13. Learn to say no…to yourself and others

This is a learned skill, and the earlier in life you learn it the more you spend your time doing what really matters to you. Saying no doesn’t have to be mean. But, it is a way of you controlling more of what happens to you.

14. Prioritize your tasks

Most of us have more to do in a day than we can possibly get done. Prioritizing your tasks allows you just to get to the working part rather than always planning. Plan and prioritize your tasks in the beginning of your day. Then the rest of your day can be focused on just living out your prioritized items. Without prioritizing, your susceptible to spending your time on things you’ll regret.

15. Do one thing to make yourself laugh every day

Laughter truly is the best medicine. Make it part of your life every day.

16. Have a set waking time

Our bodies thrive on routine. This also ensures that you hit the ground running every day.

17. Have a set bed time

Routine, routine, routine. This also helps avoid the “just one more thing” syndrome that type-A people like myself are known for.

18. Schedule regular time off

We are all more productive when we have time off. If might seem like pouring every ounce of time and energy you have into something (like work) is ideal, but your productivity and your quality of life will greatly improve when you have regular time off.

19. Don’t aim for perfection

Aiming for perfection often leaves us paralyzed and unable to do anything. Clearly, this is counter productive. Imperfect progress is always better than no progress at all!

20. Do the hardest things first every day

If the worst gets done first, your day can only get better from there.

21. Live on less than you make

I believe in having a budget, controlling spending, and minimizing debt, but the most valuable piece of financial wisdom really is simply to live on less than you make. It really doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

There are some amazing lifestyle hacks that address countless areas in your life. Try these, and you will have much less stress and more time to focus on what really matters.