Don’t Wait. 7 Ways To Feel Better Starting Today
It’s so easy. And it takes little effort.
Who doesn’t want to feel better?
I mean, we’ve all been through a very stressful couple of years, and it seems like as one crisis passes, a new one crops up.
It can take a toll.
And life, in general, is full of demands. Demands on our time. On our energy. On our wills. And on our emotions.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to take the reins of life and steer back to a lifestyle of wellness. It’s not just for health but also for self-defense.
You are worth protecting and nurturing.
Here are some good ways to go about that.
Wake Up a Little Earlier
Don’t panic.
I’m not one of those psychos who insist everyone should get up two or three hours earlier than they need to so they can spend the majority of that time staring at their belly button.
Instead, I suggest getting up just a reasonable half-hour earlier.
If you can.
Even just half an hour makes your morning routine a little less rushed. It gives you a little more opportunity to breathe easily and view the day with a sense of perspective. It gets your day off to an unhurried and less stressful start.
Drink Some Water
The good Lord knows I love my caffeine. And I’m not suggesting you give up your morning coffee.
But before you put anything else in your body after you get out of bed, consider a glass or bottle of water.
Hydrate, man.
It will clear your head more efficiently than coffee or tea first thing in the morning and make you feel more energized more quickly.
Starting the day with a good dose of water is, physically and mentally, the absolute best thing you can do for yourself.
Limit Your News Intake
No news is good news?
These days… maybe.
For your own peace of mind, limit how much news you take in via your TV, radio, or Internet feed. Opt for music instead. Or perhaps a nice audiobook or illuminating podcast.
I usually allow myself ten or fifteen minutes of NPR’s morning briefing, and then it’s on to something else. A D&D podcast. A Talking Heads playlist.
Anything else but the news.
If something really important suddenly happens, someone will let me know, or it can wait until the next day’s microdose of news.
Get Some Light Exercise
Again, I’m not some kind of psycho.
I’m not telling you to run to the gym or sign up for a marathon.
A good walk can be just as healthy as a run. Take a walk around the block once or twice. If you have a dog that needs walking, I’ll bet they’d appreciate it, too.
If the outdoors isn’t really walking weather, spend ten or fifteen minutes doing some stretches, knee bends, twists, or windmills.
Something light and easy to get your blood moving around a bit.
If you have a masochistic streak, you could even do some pushups or sit-ups.
Me? I like to dance to whatever music I have on — much to my son’s horror. Sorry, kid. I may not have the body of a dancer, but I have the soul of one.
Just move around a bit in the morning to work out the kinks and get your blood pumping which will, in turn, help feed your brain and get your thoughts more clear.
Drop Some of the Carbs
If we are what we eat, then for a long time, I was a bag of potato chips.
A sleepy, lazy bag of potato chips.
Potato chips, with all their salty goodness, have to be a “sometimes snack.”
For those days when I have a lot to do and need to keep my energy up, I’m finding a mix of cheese, pepperoni, almonds, and grapes do a pretty good job. You might find yourself munching carrot or celery sticks.
Whatever you choose, finding healthy snacks isn’t too difficult if you apply a small amount of will.
Likewise, consider how many empty carbs are going into your meals. If your meals feature a lot of pasta, potatoes, or bread, try cutting down those servings by at least half and then see how you feel.
You might be pleasantly surprised.
Get Your Calm On
This could be any number of things. The goal is to allow yourself some sustained moments of peace and quiet so you can spiritually recharge. Some people like to meditate. Some people like to find a quiet corner of their home and read. Or not read. I like to sit on my back porch and watch the squirrels.
It’s a busy, noisy world out there constantly assaulting our senses.
Take some time to shield yourself from the noise of the outside world sit with yourself quietly for a short spell.
Write a Poem
Really?
Really.
Hear me out.
You don’t have to be Shakespeare to write a poem. The idea here is to gather your thoughts and put them down on paper in a purposeful, thoughtful manner. And to, perhaps, encourage yourself to think about imagery and metaphor.
Give it a shot. You don’t have to show anyone. You can toss your poems in the trash if you wish.
But I maintain that sitting down to write a poem now and then will not only calm your body and mind but also encourage your creativity and thinking skills.
It’s a win-win.
Additional Tips
Here are a few other tips to consider — some of which may not be “start today” tips, but they’re useful just the same.
Medical checkup
When was the last time you saw a doctor? The older you get, the more necessary regular checkups are. You may get some early detection on medical issues that, if you address them now, can save you a lot of grief and stress later.
Small self-kindness
You deserve a treat. Whether it’s paying an extra dollar or two for the ”fancy coffee” at the supermarket, going to a movie, or time out for a videogame — you’ve earned it.
Small or big, it doesn’t matter so long as it makes your day just a touch brighter. My self-kindness for today? I started following “Bootsy” Collins on Facebook. Funkadelic!
Evaluate your employment situation
How is your job treating you? Could your situation be better?
Audit your employment situation. If you like your job, then great! Carry on.
If your job is a source of stress and poor health, start looking for a way out. Or to make your job situation more palatable.
Remember that you have value, and you work to live — not live to work.
Audit your social media
Again… I’m not a psycho. I’m not telling you to quit your social media. What I’m suggesting, however, is that you cut out anyone or anything in your social media feed that is negative.
Life is too short to deal with trolls and propaganda.
Make your social media space a positive one.
Get out, get involved
Whether it’s a local club, charity, or community college class, get out of your house at least once a week and be around other people all working on something. Be a part of something a little bigger than just yourself.
Join a bowling league. That counts. And it comes with nice shoes. Or you could start up a board game night with friends at a local restaurant.
See people. Socialize. It’s good for you.
Feeling Better Doesn’t Mean Finding a Guru
Feeling better just takes a small amount of effort on your part to want to feel better.
You don’t need to go to seminars or pay for expensive self-help gurus and their books.
A few common-sense strategies can go a long way in making you feel better about yourself and the world around you.
Maybe not everything I talk about here will work for you, but I’ll bet some will.
They’re certainly worth a shot.
And you’re certainly worth trying for.
Cheers!
About John Teehan
John lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2.
Do you like poetry, short fiction, and general oddities? Check out my new book, Life Among Psychopaths: an unexpected potpourri, now available on Amazon.