A wellbeing expert has shared six simple tips to live a happier, healthier life – and they won’t cost you a penny.
Lynn Crilly says now she’s approaching her 61st birthday she’s decided to ditch the collagen tablets and facemasks and focus on her emotional health.
And Lynn, who specialises in counselling families, children and adolescents struggling with eating disorders, depression and anxiety, also says a key part of improving mental health is to reduce the focus on technology.
“It’s safe to say that over the years, I’ve been somewhat gullible,” she said.
“I can honestly say I’ve tried almost everything to preserve my youth: collagen tablets, face masks, body creams, eating certain foods, exercise classes… the list goes on.
“However, after a challenging year, both personally and professionally, I’ve had time to reflect on what really matters, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
“We live in a fast-paced, technology-fuelled society where everything is instant, and yet whatever we do or have never seems quite enough,” she adds.
“Being forced to step off the treadmill of life this year has given me the space to slow down, reflect, and cultivate daily habits that truly support wellbeing.
“These habits, I believe, are the best medicine for a longer, happier, healthier, and less stressful life.”
Her comments reflect those of the Princess of Wales who recently wrote that an overload of smartphones and computer screens is creating an “epidemic of disconnection” that disrupts family life.
Here Lynn shares six simple tips anyone can do every day to live better and feel brighter – and they won’t cost you a penny.
- Sleep: Your Body’s Reset Button
Sleep is when your body repairs itself, your brain consolidates memories, and your mood is rebalanced. Chronic sleep deprivation negatively affects both mental and physical health and has even been shown to cause long term damage to the brain.
Most of us experience insomnia at some point, but routine and sleep hygiene helps. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, turn off screens an hour before bed, keep your room cool, and avoid caffeine later in the day.
A soothing herbal tea, particularly something like camomile of valerian, can also encourage deeper, more restorative rest.
- Move Your Body and Get Natural Sunlight
Just 30 minutes of movement a day can do wonders; it boosts heart, bone and muscle health, supports brain function, reduces stress, and lowers the risk of chronic illness.
Even better, take it outdoors. Walking, cycling, yoga in the garden, or even pottering in the flowerbeds can all lift your mood, increase vitamin D levels, and help you reconnect with nature.
- Connect with People
Strong social ties are one of the greatest predictors of a long and happy life. Human connection is essential to our well-being.
Technology might promise to keep us connected but it can stop us focusing on those right in front of us.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Call a friend for a chat, spend time together without screens, go for a walk, or meet for a coffee. Practising empathy and active listening not only strengthens relationships but also nourishes the soul.
- Keep Your Brain Active
Keeping your mind engaged is just as important as exercising your body. Mental stimulation helps keep your brain sharp and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Read a book, learn something new, do a puzzle, or explore a creative hobby.
And don’t forget mindfulness, taking time to be present and grateful for what you already have. Gratitude can ease stress, lift your mood, and even reshape the way your brain thinks.
- Breathe and Be Present
One of the simplest, yet most overlooked, ways to support your wellbeing is through conscious breathing. Take a few moments each day to pause, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths.
This calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, and grounds you in the present moment. It’s completely free, takes less than a minute, and can transform how you feel.
You can start with a simple exercise like box breathing, where you breathe in, hold your breath then breathe out for the same amount of time.
- Step Into Silence
In a world that never stops buzzing, silence has become a luxury. Yet spending just a few quiet minutes alone each day, without your phone, music, or background noise, can reset your mind and body.
Use this time to sit, reflect, or simply listen to your breath. Silence helps reduce stress, boosts creativity, and improves emotional clarity.
