How to Make Your Own Luck

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Genevieve Cunningham

We often think of luck as something elusive or difficult to find. The pot at the rainbow's end, the sought-after four-leaf clover, or pennies found in the heads-up position. It’s something we stumble into, something that is pure luck. We look for it during big changes—the new year, birthdays, and job changes. But what is luck?

Some people say that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Could that be true? Do we get a say in our luck? Although superstition, religion, and culture all have a say in how we view luck, we can increase our favorable odds and help put ourselves in a fortunate position.

How to create financial luck

Most people seek financial luck. When we say we’re lucky, it often revolves around money: We get a raise, win a prize, or have some other form of monetary benefit. But when it comes to finances, we can increase our odds of being lucky by taking the necessary steps.

• Save for emergencies: If you believe in luck, you know bad luck will happen. Big health bills, sudden emergencies, unexpected expenses. These can cost a lot very quickly. To improve your luck, save for these critical moments of adversity. If we save in advance, these milestones in our lives won’t seem quite so unlucky.
• Learn money management: Learning how to manage your money is so important. It’s not easy, but it's worth it in the long run. If we manage money well, we can create an atmosphere of luck -- or rather, habits that make it seem like money is always plentiful.
• Set clear goals: Do you have a specific financial goal? Maybe it’s to get out of debt, pay off student loans, or have a certain amount saved in an emergency fund. Setting clear goals gives us something to work toward.

Financial success isn’t all luck. It’s planning, too. If you plan well and follow through, you may find that little steps can add up to big luck in your financial world. By the way, “winning the lottery” is not a financial plan.

How to create luck in your physical health

Sometimes, physical health can feel like luck in the draw. Some people are lucky enough to be born destined to be 6 feet 8 inches tall—hello, NBA! But for most of us, health is a little bit of luck and a lot of self-care. To improve our chances of good physical health, we can make a plan of action that includes these steps.

• Regular movement: Exercise can’t be ignored. Movement helps increase flexibility, build muscle, and assist with weight maintenance. And when these three areas are improved, we look like we’ve been lucky in our health, but in reality, we’ve been smart and disciplined.
• A balanced diet: We are what we eat. If we want to be lucky in health, we have to eat like it. A balanced diet includes fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. The better we eat, the better we feel, and the more likely our health is to find a lucky streak. It will probably give us more energy to pursue the things that can help us achieve our goals.
• Regular checkups: Part of feeling lucky is feeling good in your skin. Regular checkups and chiropractic care at your doctor’s office could help you feel good. The doctor can help prevent disease, and the chiropractor can help manage pain, improve range of motion, and lower your risk of injury. Together, regular checkups may significantly improve your quality of life.
• Extra care: Luck has so much to do with how we feel. Anything that helps you feel better in body and mind can improve your perception of luck. Consider massages when you need them, professional mental health care, exercise classes, and regular days off from work. These small extra care habits may be just what you need to feel a little extra lucky—and healthy!

Some people are indeed born luckier than others in terms of genetics and health. Some are born with lifelong diseases, and others are born to be models and professional athletes. But for the vast majority, we’re born with a little bit of luck that can become much bigger with hard work and dedication to our overall health.

How to create luck in your mental health

Mental health is affected by many different things in life. There’s a genetic component, but it’s also affected by relationships, experiences, accidents, big events, and more. We won’t be able to keep our mental health in perfect condition, but we can certainly improve our odds of feeling strong mentally with some regular mental health care habits.

• Journaling: Journaling has long been considered a positive activity in the world of mental health. It allows us to get thoughts out of our heads and then allows for reflection time. Only a few minutes of journaling daily can improve your feelings about yourself and life.
• Meditation or prayer: Start your day with some quiet time. Research suggests that regular meditation or prayer can significantly improve mental wellness.
• Social connection: Our shift from face-to-face to online interactions has harmed our mental well-being. Why? Because humans need social interactions. Ensure you get regular social connections and touch—hugs, handshakes, or a hand on the shoulder. We need these connections to improve our perception of life.
• Professional care: Never underestimate the power of professional help. Don’t be scared or ashamed of it. Professional mental health care can help us work through problems and encourage problem-solving. Reach out when you need it, and the state of your mental health may seem luckier than ever.

Mental health is certainly a little about luck. We can’t always control mental health issues or big life experiences that may affect mental wellness. However, the more we focus on overall health and prevention, the more likely we are to have a little luck in our mental health world.

How to turn your luck around

Sometimes, we get stuck in a rut regarding luck and life. It seems that no matter what we do, life and luck continue on a downward trend. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. With a little planning and some helpful tips, you can turn your life and your luck around.

• Eliminate unhealthy habits: Have you ever tried to break bad habits? It’s really hard. Most of us have bad or unhealthy habits that we’re trying to quit. Maybe it’s harmless, like biting your nails, or more detrimental, like charging your credit cards. Whatever your bad habit, cutting it out can significantly improve your luck and life overall.
• Invest in your morning routine: Morning routines set the tone for the day. If our morning routine makes us feel strong, capable, and healthy, we’re more likely to experience “luck” throughout the day. A healthy morning routine may include quiet time, movement, a healthy breakfast, and whatever makes you feel calm and motivated.
• Set goals: Goals give us something to work toward and look forward to. We can set health goals, financial goals, and work goals. Figure out what area of your life you’d like to improve, and set goals to help you get there. Those with specific goals tend to find their luck improves. A series of smaller achievable goals broken into milestones—e.g., lose two pounds this month—works better than one general goal (such as “lose 25 pounds this year”).

Luck is truly what you make it. Thomas Jefferson famously said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” Our lives can be the same way. The harder we work, or perhaps the more we prepare, the luckier we may find our lives. Use these tips to build healthy routines; you may end with the pot at the end of the rainbow. But don’t expect to win the lottery without another kind of luck—divine.

The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.