It’s safe to say that most of us don’t wake up EVERY single day with a positive attitude.
There can be many reasons for this, some of which are totally valid. But no matter the circumstances, as conscious creators of our lives we can decide at any moment to change that.
Deciding to choose to start your morning in a powerful, proactive and positive way sets you up not only for a great day but ultimately a great life.
By creating habits that empower you and put your mind into a positive state, you become the creator of your life, rather than being the victim of your circumstances.
4 Simple And Powerful Ways To Have A Great Day, Every Day!
1. Express Gratitude
Sometimes we can get caught in the thinking that life is happening TO us rather than happening FOR us. But in reality, there is so much to be thankful for! If you have money in the bank and in your wallet, you in the top 8% of the richest people in the world. If there is food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a bed to sleep in and a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% of the people in the world. Your ability to read this means you don’t belong to the 200 million people in the world that cannot read. Start a daily gratitude practice by simply noting down 3 things you are thankful for in your life & your life will change..
2. Set Your Intentions For The Day Ahead
Choose to write intentions rather than goals. Focus on the feeling of the outcome of these intentions. Even if the doing itself is not so much fun, e.g. washing the dishes, the outcome (clean dishes) will make you feel calm and happy. Focus on the feeling of knowing it is done and you now have clean plates! Do the same process for all of the things you want to achieve in your day.
3. Smile! | Powerful Ways To Have A Great Day
There are some days when we simply do not feel like smiling or “putting on a happy face”. But science has proven that simply using your face to smile or even putting on a fake smile will increase your feelings of happiness. Neurologist Dr. Isha Gupta says that a smile sparks a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and aggression.”
Researchers at the University of Kansas published findings that smiling even helps to reduce the body’s response to stress and lower heart rate in stressful situations.
4. Breathe | Powerful Ways To Have A Great Day
Well obviously you are breathing, or you’d be dead right?! This is true, however, the fact is a lot of us are not breathing properly. That is, we are not breathing deeply, slowly or regularly enough.
Breathing is useful for more than just staying alive. Breathing helps to activate the autonomic nervous system, which regulates certain body processes such as digestion, blood pressure and heart rate.
In times of stress, we ten to hold or restrict our breath and over time that can become a habit. A habit like that is definitely not ideal for managing moods or creating wellbeing.
Right now, try taking a long slow inhale of 6 seconds, then slowly exhaling for 6 seconds. Notice, how does your body feel? What about your mind? A lot can change from just one breath! Imagine what could happen if you began to mindfully focus your attention on your breath every day. The long terms effects can be phenomenal.
It’s safe to say that not all days will be good days. That is an unrealistic expectation to hold of yourself. But, with a few simple tools like the above practised consistently, you can give yourself the best chance of having a great day, no matter what happens around you.
Remember, you are in charge of your life, no one else. Love yourself enough to put in the effort and create your ideal day!