7 Habits You Can Start Today To Feel Better Immediately

You don’t need to buy any books. You don’t need any gurus. You can do this.

Toward the end of one of my all-time favorite films, My Dinner With Andre, the character Wally (played by the inconceivably talented Wallace Shawn) says to Andre:

“I’m looking for more comfort because the world is very abrasive. I mean, I’m trying to protect myself because, really, there’s these abrasive beatings to be avoided everywhere you look!”

Ain’t that the truth, Wally.

We are too busy. We are too caught up in the world and not enough in taking care of ourselves.

If we keep up this pace much longer, we’re going to burst into flame.

The good news is that it can all be avoided, and you can start to feel better almost immediately by adopting a few simple habits.

Leave the abrasive beatings behind.

Take a moment to appreciate beauty

In case you ever wondered, the advice that goes “stop and smell the roses” comes from an autobiography by golfer Walter Hagen and originally read as, “Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”

I don’t know much about golf, but I imagine it’s an unhurried game that requires some patience.

Such is life. It doesn’t need to seem so rushed all the time. We’re all so busy. We’re all hustling. We’re all getting stressed.

There is a lot to be said for appreciating the fleeting wonder of a rainstorm, a sunset, or a squirrel running along a fence.

The world is amazing, and there is beauty everywhere. It’s big and small.

Don’t miss out on it. Take a moment.

Yeah… meditate

Life gurus spill a lot of (virtual) ink writing about mindfulness and meditation.

Apparently, it’s for a good reason. It works.

It doesn’t matter what time of day you choose to sit for ten or twenty minutes in thoughtful contemplation — or no contemplation. It doesn’t even have to be the same time every day.

After a little bit of practice, I’ve found that I can snatch a fruitful dose of meditation at almost any time of the day when I know I’ll have ten or twenty minutes to myself. It doesn’t even have to be quiet, but it helps — particularly when first starting the practice.

Give me some time to conduct an internal visualizing exercise, or to think of nothing (or no-thing as the Buddhists might say), or to even contemplate an object (for me, it’s often a wooden apple on the kitchen table) all while being aware of my breathing… in… out… in…

Anyway, you get the idea. The point is that afterward, I feel both mentally and physically refreshed. Over time, the practice contributes to an overall sense of well-being.

You can start today. Find a place to be by yourself for a short bit. No one needs to know.

And breathe.

Free yourself of grudges

How long can you stay angry?

Probably quite a while. It’s an easy emotion. And it feeds upon itself — consuming you with it.

Instead, let it go.

Take some perspective and ask yourself if, in the grand scheme of things, does a grudge or other bad feeling toward someone really matter?

No. What matters is you.

Don’t let negative feelings take away your peace and energy. Let it go.

It might be hard at first, but if you start today, you’ll be on the road to feeling better today.

Let it go.

Celebrate other people’s success

I know a lot of successful people. They have successful careers. Some have boatloads of money. Some are almost universally admired for one thing or another.

And you know what?

Good for them!

Am I rich? Ha! Do I have a successful career? Well, I’m not at its pinnacle yet, but I’ve got forward momentum.

My dog likes me.

But gnawing enviously at other people’s success doesn’t really do much to help me move forward, does it?

No.

What does move me forward is turning negative feelings into positive ones. I know a lot of very happy people, and I am very happy for them. And I feel a lot better about myself because of that.

Spend time outside

If you don’t spend much time outdoors, try to change that right away. Get away from your desk. Get off the couch. Go for a ten-minute walk. Go for a twenty-minute walk.

Just get outside for a little bit. I like to walk because I’m inherently lazy. You might be more of a runner or biker. Go for it. Whatever you do, getting outside is the important thing.

Buildings — whether they be homes or places of business — can be confining and, after a while, it gets too much to be healthy. Getting to where there are fewer walls will make you feel a bit more free and maybe a bit less trapped.

Find a park. Find some woods behind the company building. Stroll along a city sidewalk or median if you have nothing else. Even downtown Chicago has grassy areas and the occasional tree.

The fresh air and exercise will do you good.

Get enough sleep.

Really. Eight hours. Ideally, all at once.

If your schedule permits, get your sleep at night. Be awake during the day. Take advantage of natural light cycles. Avoid caffeine or alcohol before going to bed. Drink some water and do some stretches when you first get up.

But get enough sleep.

You’ll thank me in the morning.

Have a morning ritual

Morning routines. Are they good or bad?

I have opinions — mostly in favor of routines, but routines are not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about having a morning ritual.

This is your one act in the morning that you tie into greeting the day and contemplating the day ahead. For me, it’s my morning tea.

After I stumble out of bed, stretch, drink a glass of water, and let the dog out, I then prep the kettle and get the water boiling. I’ve got an interesting green tea with toasted rice I’ve been digging lately, but my standby is an English breakfast.

All the while, the water is heating, then the tea is steeping. This is my quiet time to think about the day ahead. Sometimes I’ll think about the previous day. But in general, it’s a morning ritual I’ve tied to personal reflection of some kind.

And I get a cup of tea in the process.

And when that’s done, my day officially begins.

For you, it might be brewing some coffee. Or frying some eggs. Or writing in a journal. Whatever works. The idea is to identify it as your ritual and letting that magic happen.

Sure… the morning ritual gets disrupted sometimes. Things happen. If I miss the ritual every now and then, that’s okay. I can pick it up again and reap the benefit.

On taking care of oneself

If you don’t take care of yourself physically, you’ll hurt yourself mentally.

And vice versa.

All of the tips above for feeling better immediately are tied to the idea of self-care. Some may be easier than others. Your life right now might make some of these suggestions difficult.

Pick and choose what works best for you.

Every little bit helps.

Take care.

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