We have all been there….you overslept, the morning traffic was backed up more than usual, you forgot about today’s project deadline, and you are running late and seem to get stuck with every single red light. And it is only 8:00 in the morning. Here are 10 things you can do immediately to have a better day.
Take a breath
When life seems to be coming at you a mile a minute, it’s important just to take a minute can catch your breath. Sometimes we tend to hold our breath subconsciously when in stressful situations. You don’t need to take an hour, just a minute! It’s impressive what 6o seconds can do to help you get a mental and emotional reset. Find a place to be alone and regroup. Go into your office and close the door. Go outside, stairwell, or even just the bathroom. Find somewhere where you can close your eyes and practice some diaphragm breathing. Big. Deep Breaths.
Make a list
Being productive tends to result in a better day. What are the things you absolutely must get done today? Write them down. Keep them to just a 1 or 2 things at the most. Keeping it small helps you regain a sense of control. What have you already accomplished? Write those down too. Only this time, cross them off. Scratching things off of your list helps you gain a sense of accomplishment, pointing you in the right direction for the rest of the day and reminding you that the day can end differently than it began.
Talk to positive people
We’ve all been there. Everyone has had the experience of a morning gone awry. Instead of isolating and resonating on what went wrong, talk to your coworkers about other positive things. Having a bad morning is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to ruin the rest of your day. Friends and coworkers can often help move our focus onto something productive. Are other people in your circle experiencing a frustrating day? Then why not become the catalyst for a better day by starting the positive conversation for the moment!
Find the humor
Laughter is a commonly overlooked pathway toward improving your perspective and even your day. It decreases stress and helps improve our mood. Memes, personal stories with friends, and even Dad jokes are great ways to bring a smile to your day. Humor is there if we look for it hard enough.
Do something for others
There is no better way to change your perspective than showing kindness to others. Whether it’s small or large, graciousness requires looking beyond yourself. Surprising a friend with coffee is a great place to start. Or starting a casual conversation with someone in the elevator can be encouraging. It doesn’t have to be expensive or cost anything. Generosity has a way of making people feel connected.
Declutter
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Our minds feel cluttered when we are stressed out. Things we have fallen behind on start to pile up, and it may feel like the walls are closing in. And have you ever noticed how long it takes to declutter your desk compared to how quickly it takes to accumulate things? The answer: Declutter. Just start somewhere by sorting through the papers. Or tackle a small project that can be done by the end of the day.
Go for a walk
Exercise is a great way to hit the reset button toward a better day. Are you having a bad morning? Has the afternoon been unprofitable and lackluster? Why not take a walk outside during your lunch break? Taking a walk in the evening can help unwind and close the chapter on today’s problems. Strength training can also be helpful if your schedule permits it.
Stick to your routine
When the day is not going according to plan, it is easy to let yourself get sidetracked from your routine and neglect those things that you usually do. Perhaps you skip your exercise class. Or maybe you convinced yourself to eat unhealthily to forget about the gloomy stuff of the day. Often it is better to just stick with your routine because it will reinforce a sense of normalcy and decrease unsettled feelings.
Do something fun
Doing something fun can be the perfect anecdote to a trying or annoying day. There is always room to find enjoyment in some part of the day. There is no need to be time-consuming. Read a new book. Try a new flavor at your local coffee shop. Watch an episode of your favorite sitcom. Taking a delightful and amusing break can help you detach and regroup.
Realize tomorrow will be a better day
Everyone has a bad day from time to time. Getting a good night’s SLEEP and starting fresh tomorrow can be the best way to overcome a challenging day. Identify things that you can do to start tomorrow off better. If you overslept, then make sure the alarm clock is working. If you ran into construction on your commute, find an alternative way. Use today’s frustrations to ensure tomorrow’s successes.
