Sometimes life has a way of kicking you in the ass on your way out of bed. I’m serious. You wake up and all the sudden your hair won’t lay flat, your toilet’s clogged and you KNOW you’re going to be out of your house for at LEAST 12 hours of your day (Hi, Traffic, you’re fun!).
How do I combat the blahs when I’ve not slept well, woke up cranky or been otherwise thwarted by my Morning??
1. Dress up a little bit. I generally feel better when I know I look so good! Maybe it’s just wearing an amazing accessory or my new boots or a cute outfit that always looks amazing. Don a candy-colored sweater. Dress with the intent of feeling awesome! Whatever the case, I always feel good if I know I look good. Don’t suffer for fashion though – if those shoes look hot, but hurt like hell, you’re not going to feel amazing.
2. Make a good breakfast. Sometimes when I wake up, I’m cranky because I haven’t eaten in 8 hours. Taking some time to eat something delicious (strawberries and yogurt! or toast and Nutella) generally makes me feel much better.
(Photo TheTimes.co.za)3. Take time to stretch. I always feel like my day starts well if I’ve done my little morning yoga routine. It’s amazing how just getting up and stretching makes my body feel more alert.
4. If you’re feeling ultra tired and low, drink a giant glass of water. Water makes your cells happy and if your cells are happy, your body will feel happy. If your body feels happy, you’re likely to feel better and more alert.
5. Indulge! I don’t hit Starbucks every morning, so if I’m feeling blue, stopping by to grab a Chai or some yummy latté will always pick me up. Take yourself out for coffee before you hit the streets, or treat yourself to something delicious for lunch.
6. Play your favorite song when you’re getting ready to go. I dance around to Blondie all the time, and it makes me feel super! Sing your favorite song loudly in the shower, adapt some rockstar style, and leave your house feeling like one.
7. Practice being present for just a moment. Sometimes I drive through the city, with the radio off, listening to the sound of my wheels on the pavement. Often, I’ll mentally note beautiful things I see on the way, like the sun coming up over the mountains, the color of birds against the morning sky, how deserted and cool the train yard looks when I pass… Just noting those kind of things gives me a warm and happy feeling.
8. Make a quick mental list of things you love, or things that make you happy. Studies have shown that a quick mental list of things that make you smile will improve your mood.
9. Pin down what made you grump-ola – often if you can identify the source, you can overcome the feeling.
10. Fake it till you make it. Psychology Today tells us “Going through the motions can trigger the emotion.” Love yourself and take control of how your day will happen. You’re not walking through life powerless – you make each day what it is, so resolve to make today a good one, and not a bummer. You’ll have a bad day if you WANT to have a bad day, but if you don’t think your day should be thunderstorms and sadness, change it!
If you feel like the daily grumpies is getting you down, try this for further reading: The Pursuit of Happiness on Psychology Today.
Also, check out this link from Fish Nor Fowl, where Freya says “Start Small”.
Feel bright, babes, because every day is a new dawn!
HELLS YEAH to #6. My song au currant is the new Flo Rida “Right Round”. LOVE. IT.
HELLS YEAH to #6. My song au currant is the new Flo Rida “Right Round”. LOVE. IT.
Yay. I totally needed this today. Sometimes when I’m grumpy, I don’t want to be out of it: I like to simmer. But that’s really just a lame excuse. Thank you!
Yay. I totally needed this today. Sometimes when I’m grumpy, I don’t want to be out of it: I like to simmer. But that’s really just a lame excuse. Thank you!
@HaydenTompkins – haha Awesome!
@Freya – xoxo!
@HaydenTompkins – haha Awesome!
@Freya – xoxo!
you should always have a list of 3 things that are very easily obtainable and always make you feel better, such as tomato soup and a grilled cheese!
I’m all about number six – and I find that the more I remain present, the more I WANT to remain present. I never thought I’d choose staring out the bus window during rush hour over a good book, but I do it more every day, and it always leaves me feeling better after I’ve gotten to the office.