The Real Secret to a better life

Spring clean your life and change bad habits by improving your body, finances and friendships in 30 days.
According to new book The Real Secret, it takes up to 21 attempts to change a habit - so don't give up.
Authors Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw offer practical tips on how to be happier and bring your life under control.
Lucy is a work-life balance expert and writer, while Annabel is a social psychologist and radiotherapist.
Maria Croce takes a look at how you can create healthier habits with The Real Secret.

BODY

If you want to look your best in the latest fashions, you have to develop healthier habits to improve your body.
A healthy body means a healthy mind, so think of the changes you are going to make as positive.
Don't judge yourself on your looks and count calories - it's about getting into good eating habits which will boost your happiness through improved health.
Start by keeping a record of what you eat and after a week see what you can change and improve.
Cut out junk food, eat only fresh food and don't eat too much. Stop eating when you feel full and only eat three times a day.
Make time to eat, enjoy and focus on your food and make sure you are getting five fruit or veg a day. For the month, make your own food and only drink water or herbal tea. I also helps if you reduce your alcohol and coffee intake. It's also important to get 30 minutes exercise at least twice a week.

FINANCES

Go on a money diet where rather than counting calories, you tot up the pennies and pounds for a month.
For the whole month you need to write down everything you spend, so you can work out how much money you are spending.
Doing this will make you more aware of the difference between what you need and what you want.
You need to identify the money drains so you can improve your cash management.
For the month, try to cut out all unnecessary expenditure. That means no treats, no clothes and try to buy cheaper alternatives with your food shopping.
Check out your insurance policies, phone and energy tariffs and use comparison websites or phone around to make sure you're on the cheapest deal.
Look through bank statements to make sure there aren't mistakes.
Then work out how much you have spent. Look at how much of your hardearned cash is being wasted and how much of what you usually buy brings you happiness.
Get into the habit of spending some time each month assessing your monthly outgoings and adjusting your spending habits. Knowing the difference between what you need and want will help you make wiser decisions in other areas of your life and will boost your happiness and success.

FRIENDSHIPS

Good relationships make us happy and the secret is knowing how to improve them and maintain them.
For most of us, getting key relationships right - from friendships to partners, children and family members - is the secret to a happy life.
We can't force other people or circumstances to change, but we can modify our own outlook and behaviour which will elicit different responses from others. Make sure you listen properly to others and give positive feedback and focus on the other person rather than yourself.
Good friends will enhance your selfesteem and self-worth and junk friends, like junk food, should only be indulged occasionally in your life.
Widen your friendship circle but beware of junk friends who tend to be demanding and aren't there when you need them.
The best way to drop people like this is to avoid them and don't rush to respond to communications.
Be a good friend and arrange to meet up with at least one good pal a month. If you can become a better friend, you'll have richer friendships.

The Real Secret - What To Do When The Universe Hasn't Delivered, by Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw retails at £9.99