Photo by Fernando Brasil on Unsplash
Ideally everyone would love their lives and their body. Realistically, however, most people can easily give you a list of things about themselves with which they’re less than pleased. Luckily, the first steps towards contentment are as simple as switching out a few of your everyday habits. Obviously these hacks won’t bring you never-ending bliss, but they will certainly get you into the right headspace to kick goals and build the life you really want:
Fake it ‘til You Make it.
When you’re not feeling so great, smiling is often the last thing you want to do. Studies have shown, however, that even a fake smile is contagious, and that pretending you’re happy releases the same chemicals in your brain as actually being happy. This means you can literally trick yourself into feeling happier. Don’t stress if your smile is one of the things you dislike about your body. Most people will only notice your joy but if you’re overly uncomfortable, there are many treatments available, such as whitening or composite veneers, to help improve your pearly whites.
Get SMART.
Having a clear idea of what you want out of life is the first step towards making your dream a reality. Broad, overarching goals can seem unattainable so it’s helpful to break them down into smaller milestones. The SMART system refers to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time based. Using this method will help you identify the precise steps required to reach your goals, while also helping to keep you motivated. Tracking progress is far easier when each task can be checked off separately. Humans are wired to equate achievement with happiness, so ticking things off your to do list can go a long way to improving your mood.
Push the Limits.
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, the same way, over and over again, but expecting a different result. Find the edge of your comfort zone and then take another step. Even if it’s something tiny and completely irrelevant in the greater scheme of things, doing something that challenges you every day can provide a serious confidence boost.
Keep on Moving.
Another great way to improve your mood is by keeping fit. Exercise releases endorphins which make us feel better both mentally and physically.Keeping fit will also boost the way you see your body and everyone knows that happiness is attractive.
Eat Right.
This one probably goes without saying but better health means better mood, appearance and motivation, which then creates a flow on effect into the rest of your life. Eating the right foods can be more important than almost any other factor when determining your health so it is important to do your best to consume a balanced diet.
Practice self care.
Incorporating a self-care routine into your daily schedule can dramatically improve your mood. It doesn’t matter whether your idea of looking after yourself is making time for skin care, going for a jog along the beach or soaking in a nice, hot, bath. What matters is that engaging in self care and making time for activities that relax you and bring you pleasure will make you look and feel better while also reducing the amount of stress that other activities can cause.
You’ll never look your best if you don’t feel your best. For some, the inverse is also true. Instead of focusing on your appearance, use your time and effort finding ways to consistently boost your mood. In time, you will ensure that you’re feeling great, and that looks good on everyone.
I agree with most of these ideas. I am not sure about the fake it until you make it part, although i have seen that putting on a smile can help one feel better.
Certainly good ideas to remind ourselves of everyday. Sometimes just taking some small steps to feel better and get healthy in mind and body can really help.
Ni agree with all of these things. In February of 2018, I had sepsis, which left me hospitalized and bed-ridden for nearly 2 months. After that, I could barely move in bed, and I’ve spent the last year in physical therapy facilities learning to walk again. I’ve definitely learned something about setting goals and pushing limits, lol.
I really enjoyed reading this post thank you for sharing it. I really need to practice some of these tips reminds me I need to be good to me a little more.
This is a great article. The tips are right on. Self appreciation is so important. Sometimes, I feel as a female, I put everyone else first. These tips are wonderful for regaining that self respect.