1. Do SOMETHING different. If you normally sleep late, get up an hour early. If you normally eat fast food at lunch, pack a healthy lunch and eat it outdoors in the park. Sign up for a class to learn more about something that interests you. Talk to someone at work that you don't know well. Volunteer. Exercise. Spend an hour on that model car stashed in the closet. Your goal is to change something about your normal routine. Your mind will engage, your body will perk up, and you will stir up some helpful chemicals that can energize and make you feel better.
2. Do something for someone else. It doesn't have to be big. Pay for a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you, or help someone reach something in the grocery store. Take the trash out, or volunteer to cook dinner or take care of a household chore. Rake a yard. Drop some dog or cat food by your local shelter. Visit a nursing home or veteran's hospital and chat with a resident there. The goal is to use some of your personal energy to do something for someone else. Sharing just a small amount of your time, resources, or talent, can make you feel empowered and rewarded.
3. Learn one new thing. Anything will do. Read an article, listen to an audio book, watch a video. Learn a new word, and use it three times before the day is out. Learn a new dance step or a new exercise technique. When you learn something new, it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and it strengthens the parts of your brain that keep you energized and engaged.
4. Do something physical. If you are the athletic type, you will probably have this worked into your day automatically, so consider taking it up a notch by entering a competition or team. If you are not athletic, find something to do today that requires movement. Do squats, do planks, do modified push ups. You can find direction in phone apps like My Fitness Pal, www.myfitnesspal.com , Map My Run, www.mapmyrun.com, or Fitness Buddy, www.myfitnessbuddy.com . If you do not have enough energy, muscle strength, or flexibility for these, then take a walk, or try some yoga moves. Just get moving! 15 minutes a day if that's all you can handle or find time to manage. Break it into 3 intervals of 5 minutes if you must. No excuses! Your health has a big impact on your energy level and state of mind.
5. Find and do one thing that you absolutely love to do. Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/ , has millions of ideas and possibilities! If the activity ends with a tangible accomplishment, that's even better. Draw a picture, crochet a blanket, ride a bike, plant an herb garden or plan an herb garden for next planting season, refinish an old table, or paint a dresser. Bake some cupcakes or organize a closet. Something fun and satisfying to you may leave your family, friends or partner scratching their heads. That's okay. That's also why you have to decide what activity really makes YOU happy. You may need to explore and try some different things. This activity will usually make you happy with or without the involvement of others. You may lose track of time because you enjoy it so much. And, once again, you benefit because all that carefree happiness stirs up those good brain and body chemicals.
Comments
Post a Comment