ADMIT it, as soon as we get up in the morning, we are always in a rush — to eat breakfast, finish chores, go to work, attend meetings, or do all the things that we have to do to end our day productively. This becomes a routine that results to angst, stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. We are all caught up in the chaos of life. It’s time to make little changes to appreciate everyday moments.
- Goals. Set goals that you can and are happy to do, not those that are impossible to accomplish. Don’t be hard on yourself.
- Change routine. Savor the moment, exercise, get into nature, sleep more, meet new people, travel solo, meditate. You’ll find that by making little changes in your routine will make you look forward to more discoveries.
- Smile, a lot. Studies reveal that the act of smiling makes one transition into a happier, positive state.
- Declutter. Clean and organized home and surrounding reduces stress and increases self-esteem. It also reduces risks of potential illness.
- Spend/save wisely. Buy what you only need, not what you want. Shell out money only when you’re sure it will come back to you, such as a gadget for business. Save 20%, 30% of your salary religiously. Knowing you have enough for your future will make you feel secure.
- Maintain close relationships. Spend time with family, friends, colleagues. Strong connections with loved ones and friends have shown that they improve physical and mental health, not to mention being resilient in time of challenges.
- Do good deeds. Volunteer to a charitable institution dear to your heart. Drop what you’re doing for a friend who’s going through some rough time. Accompany a relative or friend for a medical checkup. Buy food for the hard-working security guard in your building. Research shows that little acts of kindness somehow help one deal with his own issues too.
- Be grateful. To your first boss who hired you even without experience; to someone who made a significant impact in your life; to a stranger who helped you get up when you tripped; to your significant other who supports and helps you accomplish all your plans and dreams; to people from your past who formed and shaped you to be the person that you are today. Let them know how you feel by paying them a visit with some wine, food, or flowers in hand.
- Have some time alone. Stay at home without doing nothing, never mind that laundry. Or, treat yourself to some fancy restaurant or clothing shop; go to a park and enjoy reading a book; book a place near the beach and walk barefoot along the coastline. You deserve this.
- Love yourself. Imperfections and all. You are as unique as you are, it is just right that you hold yourself in high regard, being happy where you are right now. A strong foundation of self-love somehow begets love, happiness, and success.