Every now and then I wake up in a crappy mood, feeling totally unmotivated and not wanting to do anything or see anyone. It could be due to something bad happening the previous day, or it could be due to nothing at all. I just feel crabby for no reason. Weird, I know. But, I’m sure you know what I mean. Everyone has experienced dreadful waking moments in the past.
In fact, it is not really surprising that a lot of people nowadays feel bad the moment they wake up. If you are bombarded with negative news like the recent airplane crotch-bomb threat and the Haiti earthquake, it is little wonder that you’d feel the world is all doom and gloom.
However, it is worth noting that you can actually make your day better no matter what situation you have in life. So, in order to overcome that awful feeling to make my day a rich and beautiful one, I apply a few or more of the following tips throughout the day.
Here are 50 tips to set you on your way to a better day. Do yourself a favor and don’t try more than a handful of these in a single day. In fact, put these ideas in a hat and pick one randomly the next time you get in a funk.
- Think Positive Thoughts Before You Sleep
The quality of sleep you get the night before can affect your mood the next day. Thus, if you want to create a better day tomorrow, you have to make sure that you think only positive things before you go to bed at night. Do not fret about your mortgage problems or dwell on the bad things that happened to you during the day. You need a good night’s rest in order to prepare your mind and body for the busy day ahead.
- Tell yourself That Today is a Better Day
The first thing that you should say to yourself the moment you wake up is that today will be great and marvelous. Know that you have control of what kind of day you will have. Telling yourself that today is going to be a great day will give you a positive attitude and a winner’s outlook. The power of the mind is strong so feed your mind with positive things.
- Wake Up a Few Minutes Earlier
If you want to get out of bed at 6AM, set the alarm for 5:45 and then allow 15 minutes for your body and mind to adjust and wake up. At 6, hop out of bed! Waking up late and rushing through things will increase your heart rate and simply stress you out. On top of that, you’ll inevitably forget to do something and then stress about that too!
- Take It Easy
Take things easy. Breathe deeply and slowly. If you are feeling rushed, take a deep breath and remind yourself that in the big scheme of life, being a minute late is pretty small.
- Keep a Mental Note of the Things You Need to Do
It is always a good thing to try to keep a list of the things that you ought to do or accomplish for the day. If you are forgetful, you should write these things down. Aside from the things that you need to do at the office, you also need to remember those that you need to do for your family or friends. Write them all down so that you can manage your time wisely throughout the day.
- Get Some Inspiration
Do not expect manna to come down from heaven. If you want to create a better day, you have to make a conscious effort to achieve things. Give yourself a boost with some inspiration. Be sure to read, listen or watch something that can perk your day up. Sometimes, just seeing your child laugh is enough to make your heart smile.
- Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Your mood for the day can actually be affected by the things that you do and eat. In order to jump start your day and prepare your mind and body for the busy day ahead, you need to have a power breakfast. Make sure that you eat something healthy. Whole grains, protein, and fruits can surely give you the nutrients that you need to do the things that you need to accomplish for the day.
- Some Stretching Will Do You Good
Stretching and exercising your muscles will also help in jumpstarting your system. If you wake up sluggish, you need some exercise and stretching to perk up your day. Besides, stretching and exercising can also prevent muscle cramps and other aches that can ruin your mood for the day.
- Pay Attention to your Hygiene and Appearance
One of the things that people are conscious about is their appearance. To ensure you won’t feel insecure, make sure to take a bath, wear clean clothes and pay attention to your face and grooming. If you know that you look presentable, you will feel empowered and confident.
- Compliment Yourself
Say good things about yourself. Do not be afraid to compliment yourself once in a while. However, be careful not to be conceited because people hate narcissistic individuals.
- Adopt a Positive Attitude
Before you step out of the house, make it a conscious effort to be positive in all things you do. Tell yourself that you will stay positive throughout the day.
- Exert Some Effort to Smile
Studies show that smiling, even if there is no reason to do it, can lift up your mood. Besides, a smile can make you look even more attractive.
- Try Not To Be Reactive
There is a tendency for men to react to everything negatively, especially on the road. Thus, you should try not to be reactive, especially when you are driving. If somebody cuts you on the road, just let it pass and think that the other guy may be having a bad day. Or just be please that you are not as rude as that individual.
- Count to Ten to Keep You from Exploding
If you think that you are going to get mad, count to ten to calm your nerves. This will let some steam out.
- Think before You Act
Many people end up feeling remorse after they have done nasty things without thinking. To prevent feeling guilty and remorseful, think first before you do something.
- Don’t Take Things Too Seriously
Not everything that you hear people say about you should be taken seriously. Some people just like being nasty so you should not get affected with what they are saying.
- Be More Attentive to People
In order to minimize altercations or misunderstandings, it would really be a good thing to listen attentively to what others are saying. Being attentive will also help you come across as being sincere, thus making you more likable. Of course, don’t do it for the sake of being likable. Be genuine in it.
- Look at People and Situations in a Positive Light
You really can’t prevent bad things from happening. Sometimes shit does happen. In order not to let these things ruin your day, try to look for the silver lining in everything.
- Give Compliments to Other People
Make a conscious effort to compliment other people. This will help build better relationships. Just make sure that you are complimenting them genuinely.
- Manage Your Time Wisely
A good day can turn bad if you feel stressed out. Thus, manage your time wisely to ensure that everything that you need to do can be accomplished with time to spare.
- Take a Break
To prevent being burned out, you should take a break once in a while. Try walking around the office or doing some stretching while you are in your desk every time you are feeling a bit drained.
- Deal with Things the Mature Way
Do not be petty and do not act like a child. You are an adult so try to do things maturely.
- Laugh a Lot
Laughter can pick up your mood. Just do not laugh at other people’s mistakes.
- Consider Inputs from Other People
Take time listening to the suggestions and inputs of other people. Even if you are the manager or head of your department, you need other people’s contributions too.
- Grab Fruit Instead of a Bar of Chocolate
Fruits can surely wake you up in the middle of the day, whereas a bar of chocolate will just give you energy spike for a few minutes. So, you will end up feeling even more tired and sleepy.
- Always Do Your Best
You will not have regrets if you know that you have given your all in everything that you do.
- Don’t Wallow in Sorrow and Defeat
Nobody is perfect and sometimes you need to experience losses and defeats to learn. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, use these negative things to make you a better person.
- Stay Away From Negative People
Negative people can just pull you down so there is really no point in spending your time with them. Stay away from them whenever possible. If they happen to be your mates, seek to inspire them. If that won’t do, perhaps it’s time to find yourself new mates.
- Be Courteous and Kind
Doing other people some good will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling. And also make you more likable.
- Build Bridges and Develop Friendships
Having enemies can surely drain your energy, whereas building friendships can make your support team bigger and stronger.
- Be Careful with What You Say
It is often hard to take back the bad things that you say, so you need to be careful with your words.
- Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers
You can enhance your mood by counting your blessings and seeing the good in other people, things or situations.
- Learn to Pace Your Energy
You need to be careful with energy bursts and crashes. Try not to exhaust yourself in the morning because you will surely have a nasty and tiring afternoon if you do.
- Incorporate Exercise Throughout the Day
Exercise can give you a “high” because endorphins are released after a good workout.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes
It is very hard to stay positive if your feet are hurting. I’ve seen too many of my female friends wear heels that hurt their feet just because they look good.
- Drink Plenty of Water
Dehydration can cause lethargy. So avoid it at all costs.
- Pay Attention to What You Eat
Eating junk food can contribute to mood swings. So eat moderately.
- Go Easy on the Coffee
Too much coffee can make you nervous and fidgety.
- Treat Yourself
Be sure to give yourself small rewards every time you did well. We all need to give ourselves a nice pat on the shoulders to give ourselves a little encouragement.
- Plan the Next Day before Going Home
Before you head home, make a list of the things that you need to accomplish in the office the following day.
- Spend Quality Time with the People You Love
Don’t take anyone for granted. Sustain your relationships. Spending quality time together is the best way to keep and improve relationships.
- Keep in Touch With Friends and Family
If you live alone, calling your loved ones or just dropping by to say ‘hi’ can lift your spirit as well as theirs.
- Have a Hobby
To keep your mind off your work, do something that you love outside your office work.
- Have No Regrets
You cannot go back in time so you cannot undo the things that you have done. Instead, make a conscious effort to make things better in the future.
- Keep a Journal
Writing things and ideas down can help you to keep track of your goals and remember things you’ve learned and observations you’ve made. And it can also help you figure out new directions for your life and then guide you as you go.
- Take a Relaxing Bath
After a stressful day, a relaxing bath can help you go to sleep comfortably.
- Prepare the Things You Need Before You Go to Sleep
This will help make tomorrow less stressful because you won’t feel at a lost of what to do. Being prepared always help you to stay focused and assured.
- Get in the Mood to Sleep
Do the things that can help you go to sleep early because a restful sleep can help you improve your mood for the next day. Reading a book before bed or listening to soft music helps me to sleep better.
- Make Love
Making love can also release endorphins and help you have a good night’s sleep. Plus, it helps to improve your relationship. Of course, I don’t expect you to do it every day.
- Go to Bed Early
Try to go to bed early and get enough sleep to prepare yourself for the day ahead tomorrow. You don’t want to wake up the next day feeling like a zombie.