"If you are waking up with the sensation that there has got to be more in life, then there IS." Steve Harvey
If there is one thing that we all know is true, it's that life is hard. We all face stressful situations everyday, and deal with complexity either in school, work, sports, arts, and other daily activities. Calendars become filled with never ending to-do lists and we constantly scramble to get everything checked off our lists. In this shuffle, we can become stressed, unbalanced, and may even begin to feel unmotivated at times. But there are some simple habits that you can easily pick up that will make a major difference in your life. You will feel more fulfilled with your everyday to-do's, and will adjust to having a more positive mindset.
When you begin to implement these ten simple habits into your daily life, you will begin to feel more balanced, present, and optimistic.
1. Making to-do lists of life goals.
Similar to a bucket list, a list of goals that you plan on achieving in your life is helpful with optimism. Start with writing a lists of your goals in a notebook, or a piece of paper. Writing down your goals by hand is scienficially proven to be better than typing goals on a screen. Your brain will focus on these goals when your hand is phsycially writing them.
These goals can start small, such as run 3 miles without stopping or volunteer at a soup kitchen for the day. Then, as you begin to achieve these smaller goals, you will start to feel more optimistic when thinking about bigger goals in life, which could be starting your own buisness and being your own boss, or to live in Australia for a year. Make sure to keep track of them!
2. Practice Manifestation.
Manifestation, the law of attraction, is where your thoughts and your energy can create your own reality. By focusing on something extensively, the universe will bring it to you. For example, if you constantly focus on positive energy and looking at the bright side of things, your life will be filled with brightness and happiness, as this is what you are attracting.
When you want to manifest something, it doesn't matter is it something big or small, but you have to know that it is something specific that you want, and why it is so important for you. If you are looking for a new job, and you have an interview with a specific company about a future position you are hoping for, thinking about successfully getting the position at certain times everyday is how you would manifest this job.
Make sure you do not use manifestation against you though, as if you constantly think negatively and feel down, the energy around you will not be positive and you will never achieve what you want to in life.
3. Make your bed every morning.
Making your bed every morning is the perfect way to start the day. It gives you the first sense of completion that can motivate you throughout the rest of your day, and fill you with positive energy. If you are feeling down after a long day, you can come home to a nicely made bed, rather than seeing wrinkly sheets and a twisted comforter.
A made bed will, at the end of day, even if it was a difficult one, remind you that you did complete one thing today - making your bed.
4. Stay off your phone for 30 minutes after waking up.
Many teens keep their phones in their rooms overnight, charging them by their bedside table overnight as they sleep. Something that most of us teenagers do right as our alarms go off is head straight for the phone, checking social media, messages, or news.
Try something new. When your alarm goes off in the morning, take 30 minutes to yourself and avoid your phone completely as you start your day. Make your bed, get changed, put on some calming music (using Siri or setting a song playlist for your wake up). Open your window shades to let the sunlight in. Make yourself a cup of coffee, and take a look at your life-goal or manifestation notebook! By taking time away from your screen for just 30 minutes, you can get organized and take a moment to appreciate the little things around you.
5. Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
Although sleep is one of the most important essentials for your health, it is often the first to be forgotten during times of stress, business. Sleep is so important for our minds and body. It allows us to focus on our lives and function properly. Teenagers especially need at least 9 hours of sleep a night, but as a teenager myself, I know we are lucky if we get over 7 hours. Our lives get so busy with school, sports, and activities that sleep gets forgot about sometimes.
By keeping a consistent sleep schedule, you can focus on going to bed and waking up at certain times that work for you, which will help you with your every day activities. You can set your phones to go on a "night mode" at a certain time each night, and have your alarm set for a repeated time each morning. For example, you can set your bedtime for 10:30 PM, and set your alarm for 7:30 AM consistently during the week to get a restful sleep, and can adjust these times as needed for the weekends.
Tips:
Make your bedroom dark and quiet.
Leave any electronics in a separate room, or at least a walking distance from your bed (so you don't feel tempted with it directly next to you).
Practice breathing while laying down in your bed (it will calm your body and mind)
6. Laugh as much as possible.
Laughter, the best form of therapy. Each day, try to get in a hard, strong laugh. It will make you smile, increase your endorphins, and will bring you positive energy. Laughing is so simple, and will immediately brighten your mood. FaceTime a friend and recall a funny memory. Watch comedies or funny videos. Read a funny book. Surround yourself with people that make you laugh uncontrollably.
Laughing releases "feel-good" hormones, such as dopamine and endorphins, will reduce your stress, and boost your energy. You will feel happy and motivated to do more things in life that make your FEEL GOOD!
7. Listen to inspirational podcasts or music.
When you find a time that you are feeling anxious, stressed, or unmotivated, try listening to an inspiration podcast, or some good-for-the-soul music. Find a podcast that you enjoy listening too, and feel as though you can connect with the messages/talk personally. It is helpful if you find the speaker's voice soothing or comforting.
Music can also be very helpful during a time of stress. It can relax you and put your mind at ease. Find or create a playlist of calming songs that bring you to a cleared headspace and allow you to focus on the words or the rhythm, in which you can connect with.
8. Get outside every day.
Getting outside every day is essential. Breathing in fresh air and observing the
nature around you will give you a sense of life, and is good for your soul. Even on days where the weather may be rainy, boiling hot, or frigid, getting your body and mind outside for just a minute is beneficial for your overall health and mindset.
Just take a moment and breathe.
9. Try to give your body at least 30 minutes of activity every day.
Exercising is so important for you physically, as well as mentally. Getting your body up and moving, and your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day is helpful for a positive attitude and clearing your mind of any negativities. Exercising can be as simple as a walk or run around your neighborhood, a YouTube yoga video, or a short workout that you can do on your bedroom floor!
10. Donating $5 to a new organization or charity every month.
Find a new charity/organization of your interest every month that you can donate $5 (or any amount you can), or your time to. By supporting this chosen organization, you are making a difference in the world, just by simply giving back a small amount of time or money.
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