10 Ways to Make Your Day Brighter
By Margie Goldsmith
Is your body knotted in tension? Is your desk piled high with papers? Here are ten simple things you can do to feel less stressed, more energized, and much happier.
Take a walk
It has been said, “Move a muscle, change a thought.” Next time you’re tired, angry, lonely, or stressed, go for a walk in your neighborhood park or around the block or go to the beach and walk barefoot in the sand. Even a very short walk can change your entire mood, and as a bonus, you’ll be burning calories every step.
Shuffle papers only once
The average person picks up a piece of paper (mail, fax, computer print-out, letter, etc.), and shuffles it from one pile to another at least ten times before the paper is finally thrown away, filed, or left to turn yellow on a pile. If you handle each piece of paper a maximum of only twice, the result will be throwing out useless information much sooner and saving your desk space for something more important. Why twice? Once to read and once to respond. And for those papers that require a reply, you’ll speed up response time by hours or even days.
Be a child
Whether at home or in a different city, don’t be afraid to become a child again. Go to a public park and play on the swings. Ride a carousel; rent or borrow a bike or skates and take a spin around the neighborhood. Draw a hopscotch game in your driveway with chalk and either play by yourself, find another grown-up, or teach your child how to play. Let’s face it: you’re never too old to be young.
Put your situation in perspective
Buy a notebook and write down your thoughts and feelings for 5 or 10 minutes when you first wake-up in the morning. Make it a habit. Journaling is a perfect way to understand yourself because writing down your thoughts forces you to deal with issues honestly (no one is judging or censoring you). It can also be a form of meditation; just letting the pen scrawl thoughts in no particular order on the page quiets your mind.
Learn to meditate
Meditation classes, books, and tapes will teach you how to meditate, but if you’re the type who refuses to sit still, you can still learn to quiet your mind and release stress. Go to a park or forest trail and do a “walking meditation.” Stroll slowly and mindfully, listening to all the sounds—birds, rustling wind, even your footsteps on the path. Take the time to observe the early morning dew on a blade of grass. You’ll be surprised how calm you feel afterwards.
Make your greeting cards by hand
Even if you can’t draw, try jotting down your sentiments to family and friends on a blank piece of paper. Colored pens or crayons will make the words festive. If you have a photo, paste that onto the paper and write an appropriate caption. A hand-made greeting card is much more thoughtful and cheaper than a store-bought one, and your friends and family will be truly appreciative.
Tell a story with a photo diary
Pictures and words are forever, but memories aren’t that reliable, so write captions on your vacation photos. Note the date, place, people, and how you felt. Buy a set of magic markers in different colors because the more creative you are now, the more fun it will be to look at your photo diary later.
Call a friend
Many people don’t want to burden friends with their problems, but that’s what friends are for. They’re there for you when you’re miserable, weepy, or angry. You’ll feel a lot better once you’ve “dumped” your problem or mood on a buddy. And speaking of friends—one of the nicest things you can do for them is remember their birthdays. Buy a birthday book so you’ll never forget, or use a blank diary and write in their birthdays. Remembering someone’s birthday shows you care.
Learn to balance
One of the first things to go as we age is balance, which is necessary to maintaining your core. Buy a balancing board, available in any sports shop, and use it while talking on the phone, watching TV, or listening to music. Can’t find a board? Try yoga or tai chi balancing positions. Or, simply stand on one leg, then switch. You can do this waiting for a bus, standing in a supermarket line, or even talking on the phone. If you’re worried about falling, stand next to a desk or countertop for safety and only use it to regain balance.
Laugh
It is said, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and that’s no laughing matter. There is evidence that laughter helps fight disease, improves health, and makes people happier. Navajo Indians do not name a child until it laughs (at which time they have a “first laugh ceremony”). The Navajos believe that until then, the child is talking to the gods. Find a favorite funny book or DVD or podcast and keep it handy so it’s always available when you need a good belly laugh.
