5 small things to improve your day
When you’re having a less than brilliant day, it’s the little things that make all the difference. Whether it’s unexpectedly receiving a postcard from an old friend, or a stranger holding the door open for you when you’re struggling under a bundle of grocery bags, it doesn’t take much to turn a bad mood around.
But you don’t have to rely on others to give you those uplifting, happiness-boosting moments – you can create them yourself, too.Here are five small acts that are guaranteed to add a shot of extra sparkle to your day.
1: Do something nice for someone elseYou know from your own experiences how powerful a kind gesture can be, so join the Random Acts of Kindness movement and try to do one nice thing for someone else every day.The goal is to put a smile on their face, and it can be as simple as giving another passenger your seat on a crowded bus or surrendering control of the TV remote to your roommate for the evening.
2: Rediscover a favorite perfumeJust the other day I was talking to a friend about my first favorite perfume - it smelled like cotton candy, and has shimmer particles. Perhaps you don't want to go so far back as to relive that scent, but you get the idea. Maybe it’s your old teenage signature scent or a fragrance that always remind you of your mother, but we’ve all got that one perfume that always manages to conjure up happy memories.Have a hunt through an online perfume gift sets saleand treat yourself to a mood-boosting favorite scent from your past.
3: Indulge in a pampering sessionWe all deserved to be spoiled sometimes, so take a morning to yourself and indulge in a mini pampering session: Have breakfast in bed, apply a moisturising face mask – either buy one or make one yourself, if you’re feeling adventurous – and go for a long bubble bath. You’ll feel calm, refreshed and ready to face the day afterwards.
4: Get some fresh airFeeling stressed at work or bored stuck at home? Get yourself outside for some fresh air and go for a walk around your local park. Even 15 minutes of gentle strolling will clear your mind and give you a rush of endorphins,so that by the time you head back inside you’ll be in a much better state of mind.
5: Start a gratitude journalSometimes you just need a little reminder that everything isn’t as bad as it seems, and starting a gratitude journal is the perfect way of forcing yourself to acknowledge all the good things you’ve got going on. You can download apps that’ll prompt you to list what you’re thankful for at the end of the night, or you could simply use your blog and Instagram to keep track of all your happy moments as you go. If you're trying to save space on your phone (aren't we all?), and would like to try something for the long term, why not start something that I have seen my friend Jassy do? She has a gratitude jar where she writes down wonderful memories and revisits them at the end of the year.
What’s your secret formula for turning a bad day around? Got any of your own fail-safe mood-boosting tactics? Leave me a comment below to share your advice with both myself and fellow readers!
