Top 10 Ways to Have a Great Day
A great day is one of those days where things go so right; when you accomplish something that makes you feel really good about yourself, when you have lots of energy and when you connect with people in meaningful ways. A day when you experience joy, gratitude and fulfillment.
The following 10 tips contribute to making your day a great day:
1. How you start your day makes a big difference
Start off with a healthy breakfast. A healthy breakfast gets your body ready for the day; it gets your metabolism running, gives you energy and sets the pace for the rest of the day. Include fiber from whole grain cereal or bread and fruits such as berries. Also start your day with a plan that focuses on what is important to you. Make sure to avoid over committing and include time for fun and relaxation. Prepare as much as you can the night before so you avoid rushing first thing in the morning.
2. Put first things first and focus on what's important to you
Much stress that you experience in your life comes from working on unimportant tasks. Eliminate the tasks that are not important such as interruptions and excessive TV, and focus on what is important like your health and family.
3.Get your body moving
Include quick and simple ways to fit exercise into your day:
- take a walk during lunch, when you come home from work, after dinner, while your kids are playing sports, with your dog or family and friends
- park a few minutes’ walk away from your destination
- take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can
- build physical activity into the time that you spend with your family
- add frequent stretch breaks: do neck rolls, stand up for a few minutes, stretch your legs and your arms
4. Include healthy snacks and drink water
Throughout your day include healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. These snacks are a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals your body needs for energy. Also drink plenty of water to help your body flush out toxins and to help your digestion. Combining healthy snacks with water will prevent you from feeling sluggish throughout the day so you can have a great one!
5. Your environment has a big influence on how you feel
Clutter can drain your energy and keep you stuck, preventing you from having a great day. Clear clutter in steps. Tackle one room or area at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Spend 10 minutes doing a “clutter sweep.” Go through your main rooms and put away everything that doesn’t belong. Bring a trash can or recycling bin with you so you can eliminate piles instead of moving the pile in another location. Remember to involve others when possible and add some fun.
6. Slow down and be mindful
Simply slowing down and being mindful creates a calmer and more peaceful environment. Stop what you are doing. Step out of the busy flow. Just be still for a minute. Focus on your breathing. Concentrate on filling up your lungs by breathing in through your nose, then slowly letting all of the air back out through your mouth. Breathe and be aware of your body. Throughout the day be present in all that you do this will help you to keep focus on what is important instead of worrying, complaining and making excuses.
7. Laugh and smile
Laughter has long been called nature’s best medicine. Laughter is a great way to reduce feelings of stress, to feel more relaxed, to shift your perspective and add joy to relationships. Take time to smile and laugh; it is very healing. Talk to a funny friend, play with your children, act silly, watch a funny movie or read a funny clip.
8. Have fun
Spend time doing things that make you happy. The way you feel emotionally is connected to the way you feel physically. There is nothing like play time that allows you to be present in the moment. Part of a great day is having fun and doing things that make you happy.
9. Practice Gratitude
Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on the good things in your life. Remind yourself of the people and things you have to be grateful for in your life. Write down at least five things for which you are grateful that happened during the day. Writing them down deepens the experience and feeling of gratitude.
10. Get a good night's sleep
When you’re well rested, everything in your life is easier. You think more clearly, feel better, look better, and have more energy. When you don’t get enough sleep, you may be more irritable, have less patience, or have trouble concentrating. Establish a wind down hour before bed by reading and relaxing so you can get your beauty sleep.
