Bad days can happen to anyone, even the most positive of us. Anything from a stressful day at work, something you love breaking, getting caught up in traffic - things go wrong and we feel like life just well, sucks. While we can’t manage absolutely everything in the world to ensure we never have a bad day, we can do some small things every day to boost our mood, no matter what life throws at us.
Start the Morning Right
If you don’t start your first 20 minutes of the day by getting up and doing something good, it’s been said it can have an impact on the entire rest of your day. To avoid your whole morning, afternoon and evening being an uphill battle, try and do something productive in those first 20 minutes, if its meditation, going for a walk, making a healthy breakfast, or catching up on some positive news, it will boost your mood and start you right for the rest of the day.
Drink Water
Drinking water can help to energize your body, support healthy weight, improve your brain function and also improve your sleep. Sounds great! Try and drink between 2-3 liters of water a day, and try and drink some first thing in the morning - yes this means before your morning coffee! Top tip - try to drink room temperature water to help it be absorbed more quickly to rehydrate you faster.
Take the Stairs
If you’re able to, skip the lift and take the stairs every day. Even if you don’t have time for a daily workout, take the stairs when you’d usually take a lift, if it's at home, work, or the shops. Climbing stairs is actually the equivalent of 5x the amount of jogging per day, so it’s one of the easiest ways to get fit and have a boost of happy chemicals.
Be Present
One of the best ways to stay cheerful is to stay in the present. Wandering minds and too much dwelling and daydreaming can actually bring you down. Try to re-center by sitting quietly for a few minutes and try some deep and calming breaths. Focus on the breath moving in and out of your body and guide your thoughts to your breath if your mind starts to wander.
Eat a Banana
Did you know that eating a banana can help you to produce the same amount of happy chemicals as some antidepressants? They’re also a great way to keep up your energy levels, so try eating a banana a day!
Get Sunshine
As soon as you can after you wake up - get outside for a walk. Vitamin D can massively boost your mood, and also help you to stay present if you pay attention to all of your senses and surroundings! Pay attention to the things you see, hear and feel, without any distractions.
Eat Breakfast
You need fuel to get through the day, so breakfast is essential. If you don’t start the day by eating a meal, your body will want more snacks and fuel during non-meal times, and you’ll probably have a headache, be grumpy and less productive. Stay away from sugar and unhealthy foods and try something high fiber to keep you going.
Get Moving
You don’t have to go to the gym to get fit - you can work exercise into your daily routine - there are many ways that you can incorporate working out into your daily routine. Try taking a walk, instead of getting a bus, or as before, take the stairs. Gardening and housework and chores can also get you moving and busy. Try and get your heart rate up to a walking pace, for it to have a beneficial effect.
Be Kind to Someone
Do something nice for someone else, such as helping someone with the shopping, or helping a colleague at work, or helping someone with their chores. Doing something nice for someone else will help you to lift your mood and make you feel good.
Reflect
Finally, some self-reflection can help you boost your self-sense of worth. People who self-reflect are able to be more disciplined and have a better focus, as well as the ability to manage stress and emotions, making them altogether more chilled and happy! Try to reflect each evening on what’s happened in the day.
By Amy Cavill
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