This post is for YOU.
It's for you if you're feeling down today. It's for you if you've been in a funk for the last week. It's for you if you're riding a negative thought train down, down, down, and having trouble figuring out how to get off.
It's for you if you're ready for some self-love. It's for you if you want to challenge yourself in a way that doesn't involve overexercising and under-eating. It's for you if you want to feel better in your skin right NOW.
I'm sharing an action-oriented, 7 day plan to improve your mood and feelings of self-worth, and start a positive flow that will carry you beyond the next 7 days. Each day you have a new feel good task to carry you higher and higher towards happiness and a brighter soul. So grab a friend (or don't, no worries) and let's get started!
Day 1 Adios Alcohol
Be honest with yourself. When do you typically drink alcohol? How much do you typically drink? If you're anything like me you drink after a long day or week, when you're stressed, when you have a lot on your plate, or when you want to relax. Using alcohol as an avoidance tactic or relying on it to relax you is not best practice. It is one thing to enjoy the taste of a glass of wine, perhaps in good company, but another to go to bottomless brunch so you can drink too many mimosas, have an excuse to waste the day, and avoid whatever tasks should have been addressed. Using alcohol in these ways leads to negative self-talk. We don't need it, not this week.
Day 2 Yoga
Do some yoga, whether it's the norm for you or not. Consider trying a local class, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that then your living room works just as well! [I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene]. I know it can be hard to relax, move slow, focus on your breath, and chill your mind, but I promise it gets easier. Since adding yoga into my life again I literally crave it and the place it takes my mind and body. I strongly encourage you to add yoga to at least 1 other day during this feel good week. The more you do it, the better it gets!
Day 3 Walk with a friend
Try a new coffee place, go shopping, walk around the park, just grab some good company, lace up those sneaks and get moving. Relationships are so important and connecting with others can improve our mood. If you don't feel like you have a friend to call try a coworker you've been wanting to get to know better and walk on your lunch break. SO's and pets work here as well!
Day 4 Pay it forward
Do something nice for someone. Some ideas: buying lunch or coffee , anonymously or not, for someone; compliment someone's outfit or new hair cut; compliment someone as a person. I love the last one! Tell someone how much they mean to you. You will make their day. I got message like that from a friend last week and it was the best feeling!
day 5 cook a new recipe
Pull that dusty cookbook off the shelf or search through your Pinterest folders and pick a fun or 'must try' recipe. The more involved the better! It will be fun to shop for the ingredients and get focused in the kitchen. Put on some relaxing music and get cooking. Extra positivity boost if you cook for someone else. Sharing food with others is a great way to show love.
day 6 read
Set aside one hour to read. Unplug and get absorbed! Set a timer on your phone for one hour and place it across the room. This will help prevent you from compulsively checking to see how much time has passed.
day 7 Try something new
Grab a friend, family member, or go solo. Trying something new can be scary but invigorating. You don't need to go too crazy either! Here are some ideas: hiking, SUP, bike ride through your city, solo dinner date, try a new restaurant, go on an expensive shopping trip, get your hair styled, massage, take a bath, DIY face mask, sleepover with a friend.
How'd you do?
You've done it! How do you feel? I want to hear about your adventures this week! What new habit did you find that you might like to keep around? How did this week lift your mood and how will you keep the positive energy flowing? Please share!
