If you’re like me, you might not have much time or energy right now. Sometimes busy days can turn into busy weeks into busy months. So, if you don’t have time to read a full article, here’s some quick advice on how to have a better day.
- Always take a moment to appreciate the rewards of your work. People say to make your bed every day. Maybe you don’t have the time or energy, but if somehow you’re able to manage it, I advise that you do one more thing: Take the time to step back and look at what you’ve done. You accomplished something, and that can be a pretty pleasing sight to see. I suggest taking a moment to soak in your accomplishment each time you complete something (even if you have only completed one long step in one long project).
- Find a reason to enjoy weather. Okay, so maybe this doesn’t always apply, right? Usually only tornado chasers rejoice at a natural disaster. But, aside from that, if you can find something good about your surrounding environment, then you’ve taken some control over the uncontrollable. Don’t like the cold day? Find joy about the warm hot chocolate you’ll drink later. Don’t like the heat? Get excited that you have an excuse to go to the pool!
- Do something nice for someone. When we want our day to get better, we typically want someone else to make it better for us. At least, that’s how I’ve felt many times. However, when we take time to serve someone, we’ve not only done a good deed, but we’ve typically somehow improved our own day along the way. And, for some reason, let’s say it doesn’t do it anything for you—what’s the harm done? You helped someone? If it’s within your capabilities, service truly can uplift the soul of the helper and the helped.
- Enjoy something you love. Maybe you think you don’t have time to paint, watch a show, go for a run, write, buy/make a treat, or do whatever else you enjoy. Maybe the thing you love takes hours and you only have a few minutes. If that’s the case, make the time to do something you love, even if it has to be a modified version of it. For example, I love to play soccer. Usually, this activity can take hours, but I don’t have time for that. So, instead, I can choose a half-hour of the day to go out and play, and that will give me the refreshment I need, without the stress of losing too much time. Finding this balance between passions and the necessities is a game-changer.
- Find a comfortable place and breathe. Some sunlight comes through my bedroom window, and when I look at the window I see trees. I rest on my bed, in the silence, and breathe. For a few minutes, this relaxes me, and nothing feels better than this. We should all find a place that restores us. Maybe your place is quiet like mine, or maybe it has music, or the noise of happy people in the background, or the bustle of a city street. Maybe your place changes (sometimes I like to close my eyes while listening to piano music and pretend I’m near a beach instead). If we can find small moments in a place that relaxes us, we can restore our mind, emotions, and even our physical health by reducing stress.
I know that sometimes not all of these, if any of these, will seem possible. But, if you start to feel the day drag you down, try one. Try two. I promise by doing so you can potentially improve your day and life. As you make different attempts, you might even discover your own methods of making your day better.
If, in the meantime, you try and try and cannot seem to have a good day, reach out for help. Sometimes, we cannot change things because there are other serious situational, emotional, or mental elements in play. I understand this, I’ve experienced this. Find a friend, family member, therapist, or someone else who is trustworthy and able to help. Someone will understand.
I hope these methods help all of you to take control and make your day a better day!
With much love,
MRC
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