Try hanging up a positive affirmation where you’ll see it each morning, like beside the mirror where you brush your teeth or above your coffee pot. Take a few minutes to contemplate the message every day. Your affirmation should be something that is particular to you. For instance, if you struggle with self-doubt, you might want a reminder that says something like, “You can do it!” or “Try your best!” In addition to reducing your stress, being positive can even have positive health effects, like improved cardiovascular health and even improved resistance to colds!
Find a hobby that fits your lifestyle. If you’re active, you might decide to take up a sport or other physical activity, like tennis, competitive dance, or coaching a Little League team. If you enjoy hanging out and binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu, crafts like crocheting or painting might be more your speed.
Instead of wishing for a bigger house, for instance, learn to love the place where you live. Hang up pictures of your family and friends, decorate in your favorite colors, and organize your things to make the most of the space you have. If you love fashion but you can’t afford a whole new wardrobe, mix and match your clothes into new outfits, and add in a special piece every now and then when you want to refresh your style.
Everybody’s taste in music is different. It doesn’t matter if you love pop, punk, trap music, or an obscure form of music made entirely with spoons. Just listen to what you love! If you’re not sure where to start, listen to music online with an Internet radio station like iHeartRadio, Spotify, or Pandora.
Be honest with yourself about things you wish you hadn’t done. This will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Think about what really makes you feel relaxed. Your break might be as simple as sitting on your back porch drinking your morning coffee or traveling to a nearby farmers’ market on the weekend to get some fresh veggies for the week.
Unfortunately, thanks to the rise of social media, it’s all too easy to see only the highlights of a person’s life. This can then lead you to feel dissatisfied with what you have. In reality, those people are only portraying what they want you to see, when their real life might be as messy and normal as yours. Whenever you catch yourself comparing yourself to someone else, replace the thought with something nice about yourself instead.
Sometimes, especially if you’ve been going through a hard time, you might lose touch with people who are important to you. If you notice that happening, make an effort to repair the relationship by sending a call or text letting that person know how much they mean to you. Chances are, you’ll discover they’ve just been waiting to hear from you. If someone makes you feel bad anytime they’re around, it’s okay to back away from that relationship, even if they’re a relative.
For instance, if you’re feeling sad and you need someone to talk to, try saying something like, “I had a really tough day. Can we grab a cup of coffee so I can vent about it?” If you need your partner or kids to help more around the house, you could say, “I know you’re really busy, but there’s a lot to do around the house. Do you mind pitching in for about half an hour so we can get things cleaned up?”
For instance, if you love that your partner is spontaneous, but you wish they were better at being on time, trying to make them more punctual might also stop them from unexpectedly bringing you flowers after work. If you feel like a person’s bad traits outweigh the good, you’re probably better off keeping that person at arm’s length.
You’ll also benefit by giving frequent and sincere compliments to the people around you.
Don’t underestimate the power of a thoughtful thank you note!
When you feel discouraged, read through your gratitude journal to help lift your spirits and remind yourself how blessed you really are.
You could try to find an organization that allows you to construct houses for needy families, serve food at a soup kitchen, or spend time with children who really need a mentor. If you’re not sure where you’ll be most needed, try searching on a website that matches potential volunteers with opportunities in their area, like https://www. volunteermatch. org/ or https://www. createthegood. org/.
