As an adult, leading a happy, healthy lifestyle is key to better health and a greater quality of life down the road. That said, not everyone may be engaging in the right activities to ensure that they are happy and healthy on a day-to-day basis. The good news? Getting started on the changes you need to make in your life to make the switch is simple! If you want to begin leading a life focused on your overall well-being, here are five ways to be happier and healthier that will help you get started.

1. Surround yourself with the things you love.

Leading a life that you’re happy with means being more mindful of surrounding yourself with people, places, and things that you love. For example, one way you can begin brightening up your environment is by filling it with pleasant artwork. Do you find joy in painting? If so, you can also turn to them to find high-quality painting supplies and DIY projects that can help you get started on more of your personal work that you can display proudly throughout your home. Whatever brings you joy, make it a point to include more of that in your life, especially when it comes to the things that are featured in your daily life and immediate environment.

2. Find something to believe in.

Spirituality and religion can play a major role in our overall health and well-being. This is due in part to the fact that releasing some of your fears and negative beliefs to a higher power can untether you from the things that are holding your back now. Whether you already have an established spiritual path or religion or are a truth seeker trying to find something that’s right for you, you can get started by turning to resources.

Unlike other traditional Judeo-Christian texts, this text delves deeper into the religion’s origins in Sumer, providing you with a comprehensive overview of how religion has developed over time. Who knows? You may stumble into something else that you believe in entirely!

3. Create a fitness routine and stick to it.

Daily exercise is vital to being happier and healthier as your physical and mental health are heavily intertwined. The problem for many of us, however, is that we simply do not get enough exercise in our day-to-day lives. The key to getting started is to develop your own workout regimen and to make sure that you’re exercising effectively.

For example, if you’re focusing on your abdominal area, making sure that you’re getting enough reps in each and day and that you know how to do a crunch properly. Turning to a resource like Fitwirr can help you get all the health and fitness tips you need to learn more about what exercises to do, how to do them, and how effective they will be in helping you achieve a healthier lifestyle.

4. Eliminate or release stress where possible.

Given the state of both the economy and public health, there is no doubt that we are dealing with stressful and trying times. But what is the difference between those who are coping and those who find themselves completely enveloped by their stress? The difference between these two individuals is how they choose to approach it. Those who are happier and healthier understand that there are two courses of action: eliminate stress or find ways to de-stress.

For sources of stress in your life that you can change, it’s important that you handle these areas immediately as they are zapping away your energy and happiness as long as they are around. For things that you can’t change, learning to accept them and use deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and other coping mechanisms when things become too overwhelming will help you better navigate difficult times. Remember, your mindset and happiness are in YOUR hands!

5. Treat your body like a temple.

Plenty of people hear this often but don’t truly understand what it means. Your body is your vehicle. It helps to get you around and allow you to do the things that you enjoy. So, why not take care of it? Treating your body like a temple can look like eating a healthy diet, dressing in clothes that make you feel happy and confident, getting plenty of sleep, moving frequently throughout the day, drinking plenty of water, and making sure that it is properly taken care of. When we give to our body, it gives back to us!

Being happy and healthy may seem like a lot of work, but with a couple of tweaks here and there, it is quite simple. If you’re making your happiness and health a priority this year, use the tips above to begin cultivating the habits that will get you to your goal.