Now’s time to take action
Some days are easy breezy. You wake up in a great mood, your hair looks terrific, and the sun is shining. Other days you wake up and find you are out of coffee, can’t find anything to wear, stub your toe and wonder how you’re going to get through the day. To reduce the latter and increase the former, take action!
Sleep
Most of us spend one-quarter to one third of our lives asleep. The amount of sleep we need varies slightly by individual, but the importance of healthy sleep habits is clear. Without enough quality sleep, our minds and bodies just don’t work as well. Sleep deprivation can cause weight gain, increase your risk of diabetes, elevate your blood pressure, and weaken your immune system. PLUS, it will make you cranky.
What to wear
If you are feeling a bit low at the start of the day, find something bright to wear like your bright pink coat or colourful tie. If you look good, you will feel good.
Go outside
Even 20 minutes spent outside can change your mood for the better. Studies have shown that stepping outside lowers stress, heart rate and blood pressure. It can boost creativity and optimism. Best of all, it’s free, and right outside your door.
Be creative
Daily creativity is great for your mood and sense of wellbeing. You could learn to knit, take up cooking, sing a song or doodle a picture. Gather pretty leaves and make a collage.
Practice a little escapism
Sometimes you just need to tune out and ignore all of the ‘shoulds’ in your life. Turn your to-do list face down and think about something totally different.
Help someone
Whether you volunteer regularly or help your elderly neighbour take their rubbish out, doing for others is a known, studied, powerful way to increase your life satisfaction, boost happiness, find meaning and connect.
Pet a dog (or cat)
Interacting with animals can raise our oxytocin levels, calm us down, lower our blood pressure and make us feel loved.
Laugh
In the short term, cracking up with your bestie or re-watching that hilarious scene can ease tension, release a burst of feel-good hormones. Give it a go!