A task as simple as writing down a few things that you are grateful for, are good at, things you love, or wish for takes just a few minutes but can provide you with an instant transformation from blah blah blah to at least content if not happy. Making a short list gives you something
to think about and smile as you go through your day. Even making a do to list will help, it organises you and can provide relief from stresses.
Being kind to others offers up some surprising differences not only to your day but theirs too. Connecting with other people is one of the best ways to improve your attitude. It is rather simple to do, instead of just rushing about smile at someone, open the door for someone, say hello, hold the elevator door open, pick up the item that person dropped, say a sincere thank you to anyone who helps you whether they were paid or not. Give a heartfelt compliment to someone who deserves it. If you are in a position of authority it’s been proven that giving appropriate compliments are a simple way to effectively increase productivity and morale. Being kind to others will not only make you feel better, it is rewarding all around. If you are happy it emulate positive energy that those around you can feel, and will spread.
Starting your days with as little as 5 minutes of meditation can help to make the entire day go more smoothly, as you will be starting off with a nice sense of calm and tranquility, it will give you a boost that will enable you to handle any challenges that may appear much better. Meditation has been shown to yield a variety of benefits such as improving focus, memory, feelings of compassion, and increasing creativity, all of which will surely help the day go better and provide a much better overall well being.
Fake it until you make it by smiling, even if you don’t feel like it. Smiling is contagious, just like yawning, the more you smile, the more people around you will smile too, and you’ll all feel more positive and better. Studies have shown that smiling, even when you don’t feel like it can actually make you feel happier and decreases stress. The easiest way to smile is to think about something you adore , something funny, or a wonderful experience, that should crack a smile and improve your mood and day, you can even do that throughout the day stealing a moment to smile about those thoughts.
The hard part about the day for many is sitting all day, as the body was not meant to sit in a chair all day. Not getting enough physical activity is similar to taking a depressant. Studies show that exercise decreases stress and boosts your body, mind, and spirit. Try taking the stairs, go for a walk, try yoda, go for a run, tennis, or swimming. You could even try to volunteer at a shelter and pet a cat or walk a dog that would otherwise most likely not get one, studies show that animals improve moods and help to reduce stress. A personal favourite is to turn on some tunes and dance about. Music will give you a double whammy effect on your mood, multiple studies prove that as well.
Eating an unhealthy diet has been proven to contribute to depression, sickness, bad moods, low energy, and contributes to just an overall feeling of malaise. Processed foods, junk foods, fast foods and soda are just loaded with chemicals and harmful toxins that are just horrible for you mentally and physically, there’s a plethora of studies that show that fact. The better your diet, the better your health, and the better your mood, good diets are associated with a better overall well being.
Even if it’s looking to be just one of those days, or it is one of those days, it’s never too late to shake it off, reboot, and change it up. Avoid the negatives as much as possible, why waste times on it, positivity is contagious in a good way, and more advantageous. Take the few seconds to smell those roses, it’s ok to take time for yourself, your mind will thank you for it.
