We all have those days where it feels like the skies are gray and the sun is never coming out from behind the clouds. These are the times when self love is especially important. Taking a few minutes each day to give ourselves a little TLC can have a great impact on our overall outlook. It’s not always the easiest thing thing to do when we’re feeling down but it’s well worth the effort
From my own experience I know that doing just a few simple things can have an amazing impact on your day!
1. PLAY MUSIC There’s nothing like singing along to a favorite song or a nostalgic classic to elevate your mood super quickly. This is definitely my go-to on a daily basis to elevate my mood INSTANTLY!
2 . JUST BREATHE. Take a few moments to STOP and breathe. Not the easiest thing to do when there’s a to-do list a mile long, but trust me; stop whatever you’re doing, take a few deep breaths slowly in-and-out counting to five, and shake off those anxious feelings. This may literally mean jumping up and down, waving your arms or jogging on the spot. Not only can this interrupt the negative feelings, but it’s a great relaxation technique.
3. SET A SMALL ATTAINABLE GOAL OR INTENTION for your day. It really doesn’t matter what your goal is; it could be as simple as taking a shower; putting on makeup or running an errand. Or it may be a little more challenging. The simple act of making a goal that you can complete can change your outlook for the day.
4. TAKE A BATH Light some candles, put in a few drops of essential oils (for example lavender to promote relaxation or citrus to awaken the senses). A cup of Epsom salts is great for sore or tired muscles. And again, your favorite music to set the mood and….Voila! you’re transformed from tired and sad into calm and relaxed. If this is a night time bath, pour yourself a glass of wine!
5. HUG A PET. If you’re fortunate enough to own a pet, give that cute little fur-baby a hug! Let’s face it, not only do THEY love it but it’s shown to lower blood pressure in us as well as increasing Serotonin and Dopamine, the drugs that promote calmness and relaxation. If you don’t own a pet checkout YouTube videos of pets for a few good chuckles.
6. TAKE A WALK. The simple act of changing your scenery can push away negative thoughts and jump start your brain into a more positive way of thinking. Light exercise whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour, helps to clear the mind and refocus energies in different directions. Many times, inspiration for new and creative ideas can be found from simply going out for a walk.
7. CALL A FRIEND. Having someone to talk to who understands you and can relate to how you’re feeling is great for getting out of that funk you’re in. The simple act of vocalizing your feelings can sometimes minimize them. The old adage is true “a problem shared is a problem halved” and I’ve found this to always be true. Having another person’s perspective can also help you to see things from a different perspective.
8. AFFIRMATIONS are a really simple but powerful reminder of where we want to be. When we repeatedly say positive affirmations out loud, we re-wire our brain to believe these positive thoughts and in turn this motivates us to carry them out. What ARE what we THINK. Positive thoughts lead to positive actions.
Simple acts can go a long way in boosting your mood and getting out of that funk. The great thing is that ALL of these tips take just a few minutes . Try one or try them all but definitely take a few minutes each day to give yourself the love that you deserve!
If you’ve tried these tips are have some of your own to share, please leave me a comment and don’t forget to share this article if you found it helpful!
