Try using these childhood behaviours more often and see the changes it brings to your life.

Eating
Eating the same foods that we feed toddlers will help control your calorie intake and can prevent weight gain. This is particularly true when it comes to what we give our young children for a snack as they are often healthier and more satisfying than the adult alternatives. Frozen grapes, mashed bananas and reduced-fat yogurt are great snacks for you and your child. When it comes to eating kids will also stop when they are full, unlike adults who keep eating until their plates are clean. Adults will do this even if they have had enough. If you start eating like a kid, grazing until you’re 90% full, you’ll feel healthier and may even notice some weight loss.

Exercise
Kids don’t dread exercise. Most of them don’t even know what a workout is, yet they’re healthy and full of energy. Kids burn calories in ways that are fun. Playing tag, jumping rope or climbing on the playground are all ways that kids stay fit. Next time you’re thinking about getting some exercise think of all the fun things your kids do when they’re left to their own devices. Making exercise fun will keep you coming back for more. Better still, join your kids next time their playing outside. You’ll be spending quality time with them, exercising and having fun.

Resiliency
When adults get knocked down either through a problem at work or conflict with a partner it often takes them a long time to get back up again. Think about how resilient your children are and how quick they are to bounce back. Kids fall down and get right back up again. Kids come to an obstacle and climb right over it. Kids have short memories when it comes to conflict and never hold a grudge. They make up with friends and pick up right where they left off. We can learn a lot from our kids when it comes to conflict resolution.

Saying No
If you’ve ever had a toddler you’ll know that one of their favourite words to say is NO. Why is it that as we get older we find it harder and harder to say no? Kids say no all the time without feeling the guilt that adults associate with the word. Learn to say no to family, friends and colleagues. You’ll reduce your stress level and people will no longer take advantage of you.

Take a Break
When kids have had enough they stop what they are doing. We forget to do this as adults. We don’t take breaks from physical or mental activities until we are finished. Although you may get the job done your focus and productivity could be hindered and you may even take longer to complete the task than if you stopped for a few moments to regroup. A short walk or even just sitting for a coffee or tea without any distractions is enough to rejuvenate you and get you focused again.

Although we can’t act like children all the time there are definitely some advantages to taking cues from their behaviour. By not taking things so seriously you’ll not only improve your outlook on life but your general well-being as well.