We all want to be helpful, but we often don’t know how to make ourselves feel good when we are down. I found the following things work for me, and countless others could use these same guidelines. But you have to start wherever you are and make changes to increase happiness. Here is my list of what I find have worked for me:
1. Put some time into yourself each day.
I am a huge fan of daily meditation and “me” time. I take an effort each day to be still and listen to the world around me or to have conversations with myself. I write down what I am thinking, how I am feeling, and my worries. I remind myself that “yes, I can do this.” When I am doing something, if it is not the most excellent idea I have ever had, I try to think about what I can do to improve it. If I don’t like my job, I work at it. I take time each day to make myself happy and productive and lessen my mental stress and work. Take the time to focus on yourself, to be kind to yourself.
2. Reward yourself.
It is so easy to look at the negative. What is the point of looking at all the things you have to do that you have not done? Why do we not start every day with a list of things that we want to do? I’ve come to learn that life is not a list. Life is unpredictable. And the only way I know how to deal with it is to look for the positive in everything I do. It is much easier for me to look at the negative. I’ve changed that to looking for the positive in life and the relationships in my life. The alternative to looking for the positive is not looking for the negative but finding the reasons to be content with what we have and what we are now.
3. Do something to make yourself feel better when you are down.
This is tough, but it is worth it if you are doing things in the physical world that are helping you feel better excellent. Suppose you are doing it in the virtual world (the internet), still great. Whatever works for you. When I am down, I need to spend more time with my pet dog and cats or spend some time on Netflix or Disney. I’ll make more time to run or whatever I think will make me feel better. When you do things that make you feel better, you start to get excited about the different things you can do.
4. Take care of yourself, and make sure that you take time for yourself.
How can you be a good person to your family if you are sad? Do what you need to do to take care of yourself, and then take time to do something that makes you feel good. You can’t do this if you don’t give yourself the space. We all have times in our lives when we need to make space for ourselves. Make time for yourself, and make it memorable.
5. Take some time to be alone, and do what you want to do.
I’m sure that we all have times in our lives that we don’t have much to do or are not in a good place but need some time. For some of us, it is a time of solitude. For others, it is a time of not talking to anyone, just getting away from the people. I know that sometimes my husband and I need a day or so just relaxing and doing nothing. You could also sing your favourites songs or dance to them even if you are all by yourself. Having a “me” time can be very relaxing when you do the things you like.
6. Stimulate your brain
Brain stimulation can be done in many different ways, but I found the following do well for me: yoga, stretching, taking walks and being around nature, listening to good music, reading a great book, dancing, etc.
7. Go out for a walk.
There is nothing like a nice, brisk walk, whether it be to work or to relax. As you walk, you will start to feel more like you are doing something to improve your mood, plus you are getting out in nature, which has been proven to have a significant effect on physical and mental health.
8. Do something for others every day.
Happiness often lies in what we give to others. Try to help others without any expectations. It is essential to emphasise “without any expectation”. This is because when you expect from others, they will probably let you down, leading to sadness. Hence, give only that you can afford and without any expectations. We all have gifts, so make sure you are offering your help to someone if you can. It doesn’t have to be perfect. One little act of kindness will help people. Try to be a good friend, a good neighbour, a good employee, a good colleague, a good person. You are making a difference in a person’s life, no matter how big or small.
9. Actively help others when they are down.
Helping others when they are down is so important. If you see someone upset or down, do something to help them. Don’t be the person that waits until the person is ready to talk to you, but instead show up when they need help. If there is nothing much, you can do or have no idea what you can do for them, at least be a good listener without jumping to conclusions or judgements. It’s essential to listen to them by considering their footsteps and accepting them rather than trying to change them.
10. Do something to help others.
It doesn’t matter what you do for others, as long as you are helping them. Helping others will make you feel like you are doing something to improve yourself and feel like you are contributing to society. For example, go to a homeless shelter, volunteer to help older adults, go on a mission trip, or help save an animal in the wild.
11. Remember that God is love, and make sure you express that love to other people.
If you are mad at someone, don’t just put it all into your feelings and push them away. Remember to show love to the people you are angry with. Don’t try to get them to stop being the way they are. Don’t blame others because we don’t know what they have been through. We all have things to work out, and people are never perfect. But instead of looking at the negative, look at what you can change in yourself and your relationship with others.
12. Work on one thing at a time.
If you are trying to fix all the parts of your life at once, this is probably not the right way to go about it. Start with a tiny step at a time. Remember that life is change. Even if it is minimal, just doing something makes you feel like you are accomplishing something and helping yourself. For example, rearrange the furniture a bit or clean your closet. Such little things can ease your mind and bring some sense of accomplishment to help you with mental peace. Just do one little thing at a time.
13. Don’t burn the candle at both ends.
The first tip to avoid being depressed is not to try to accomplish too much. It would be best if you had some sense of balance in your life. For example, make time to relax, have some fun, and have some time for work or study. Make a balance. Don’t burn the candle at both ends.
15. The key here is to do what works for you.
It may be that you need to talk about your feelings. It may be that you need to talk about life in general. It may be that you need to read a book. Just find what works for you. The key is to do something that works for you, and you have to take that first step. That is what makes life so unique.
14. Do not give up and avoid acting like there is no way out..!
Take time to enjoy yourself. Enjoy the people you are around. Enjoy the places you are in. Enjoy your friends and family. Enjoy yourself, because that is how you will feel better when you get to see them.
Have fun.
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.