In my experience, I’ve learnt that the trick to a healthy, happy life is a positive mind. Of course, this is easier said than done at times, but if you look hard enough, there’s always something to be happy about. J Whether you’re just feeling down, stressed at work, or guilty for eating the last digestive, here are a few tips that’ll hopefully help lift your spirits!
1. Smile
Believe it or not, even a forced smile can improve your mood. Unfortunately, some of us are cursed with RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so it takes a little more effort to look constantly cheerful, but smiling at passers-by and ladies at the Sainbury’s checkout* can make the world a much friendlier place to live in.
If you’re really struggling, there are plenty of YouTube videos that can (and will) keep you entertained for literally hours.
*sometimes the ladies at the checkout need a little more convincing to return a smile, so just make yours bigger/more aggressive until they comply.
2. Be excited
If I’m having a rubbish day, I find this really helps. Look ahead on your calendar and see what you’ve got coming up – even if it’s months away, get excited for it! Try not to dwell on the bad day you’re having, just look forward to the ones coming up. If you’ve got nothing planned, don’t let that make you feel worse! Organise a lunch date with one of your friends* or invite them over for a film – who knows, you could be turning their bad day into a good one too.
*make sure you actually invite a friend because a) you want someone who’ll actually cheer you up and b) stranger danger
3. Have some time to yourself
Whatever it is you love to do, take a little time out to do it. As well as cheering you up, this can really refresh your mindset and help you to stay positive for much longer. If you’ve got a really busy few weeks ahead, plan a day just for you for when it’s all over. That way, you’ll have something to look forward to and it’ll act as a reward for all your stress at work or school (which in the long run might encourage and motivate you to work equally hard in the future).
4. Be kind
Being kind to people is definitely underrated nowadays. Giving out little compliments here and there can massively impact someone’s day and make them feel fabulous – who doesn’t want that? Also, being a kind person will eventually influence others around you and make for a much more positive atmosphere.
A lot of people tend not to show that they’re having a bad day on the outside, and by being kind to everyone it’s likely that you’ll really cheer somebody up, even if you don’t know it. By being that person you automatically surround yourself with people that respect and care for you, and when you’re having a bad day, they’ll want to brighten it, just like you did theirs. Simples.