Had a rough day? Ended up feeling frustrated? You’re not alone. We all have tough days, but the trick is to not let those days rule us. It is normal to be sad, angry or upset sometimes — and those feelings are valid and important. The trick is to learn how to not just unpack and live there. Try these tips that can help you turn off your heavier thoughts and make your day brighter.
Speak Thoughtfully
It can be easy to get in the habit of filling your head with hopeless thoughts when something goes wrong. While it’s good to vent every now and then, focusing on the good in your life rather than the bad can lift your spirits. Celebrate small victories, tell yourself you look amazing and go easy on yourself for being human. Make sure the words coming out of your mouth (and in your mind!) focus on kindness and progress rather than beating yourself up.
Do Some Self-Care
We’re not going to tell you what self-care should mean to you. You know what refreshes your soul and lowers your stress. It could be a hike or a bubble bath or it might be a video game or a movie night. What’s important is that you schedule a little time for you… even if it is only a few minutes per day. After all, even a few minutes can do more for your mood than you may realize!
Ground Yourself with Meditation
A great way to relieve stress is to take some time to yourself. While many of us have busy lives we can’t always escape for long, even a few minutes of meditation can help you clear your head and improve your mood. You might even benefit more from finding a mantra or something you say to calm yourself. Not sure how to meditate? Don’t stress it. Here’s a great place to start!
Get Your Zzzzzzzs
Overall grouchiness can come from a lack of sleep. Seriously — if you aren’t getting enough hours of sleep at night (most of us don’t!), it could be affecting your mood as well as your health. Fit more time for sleep into your schedule to keep yourself happier and more alert during the day. You’ll find that better sleep habits will help you both physically and emotionally.
Forgive Yourself
Not many people enjoy making mistakes, but the truth is that there is no failure if you learn from it. Everyone has made their share of bleeps and blunders. Learn from yours and keep moving forward. You’ll be happier in the long-run if you learn to forgive yourself for little mistakes instead of dwelling on them later.
Be confident and stay strong — habits that we identify with can take some time to break. Once you get started, you’ll be on a path to a life filled with more smiles, more laughs, and more happy memories.
