10 Practices A Day to Lift Your Spirits

It’s hard to believe that we have been in the midst of a global pandemic for nearly six months now. What’s easy to understand is mental health is more important than ever. As someone who has been dealing with depression, anxiety and eating disorders for years, I know first hand how tough this situation can be.

I believe in the concept of mind over matter. If you convince your conscious self that things have no chance of getting better, they won’t. But, if you can learn to trick yourself into finding the good or “glass half full”, then you set yourself up for emotional well being.

The key in my mind of finding those few moments of good within the dark days we are living in. I challenge you to find these moments by digging deep into what makes you the most connected to yourself. These don’t need to be huge glories, but rather small actions that can be integrated into your daily life.

My List: 10 moments a day that bring joy

1. My Morning Coffee: This one is a simple concept though I find comfort in routine and the sure thing. Each morning I choose to consciously start my day with something that I know will start me off right. It’s something I can count on admits the uncertainty of our current world.

2. Getting Dressed for Absolutely No Occasion: We have all heard the term “dress for success”. Well, I do believe in the power of that statement. Putting yourself together in the morning even if your day consists of sitting in front of the t.v reminds you that you have purpose. You feel productive, proactive and overall better in your own skin. Now I’m not talking getting dressed for the met or anything crazy, but simply throwing on something that didn’t sleep with you makes a tremendous difference on the way you view your day.

3. Cleaning the Living Space! : I can not emphasize enough just how important a clean living space is in relation to your mental health. Where you live and the state of that space is a direct reflection of how you feel in your body and mind. Living in an environment of clutter and chaos will only hurt your mental state and make you want to shut down. If anything, take the extra 10 minutes a day to tidy your room, straighten your bed and clear the dirty dishes from the night before.

4. Rock Out! : I could go on and on for days about the importance of music. As a musician and songwriter, music plays the largest possible role in my life. The music that you surround yourself with becomes the soundtrack to your life. It is proven that listening to music or playing an instrument yourself boosts your endorphins and allows for a state of euphoria. If you feel worse after listening to your favorite song, I mean I’m not sure what to tell you except you probably need medical attention. In all seriousness, find that one song that undeniably makes you smile and listen the heck out of it. We all need a little rock and roll.

5. Get In the Kitchen: Ever heard of food for the soul? What about food for thought? Not only is food a basic necessity for life, it’s also a form of human connection and creativity. Think back to your childhood for a moment. What did you look forward to your mother cooking? What dish made you excited to come home from school for? Recreating your favorite meals that emotionally bring you peace can be a great way to connect back to your center. For many people, cooking can be an overwhelming task, though I challenge you to try it. It can be incredibly therapeutic and hey, the finished product is usually pretty great. Pizza’s always an option if it goes south so you have nothing to loose.

6. Find the Sun for 30 Minutes a Day: Now more than ever it’s easy to find an excuse to go days without seeing the sun. I myself have been guilty of lying in bed and streaming movies instead of spending time outdoors. It is incredible what a difference it makes on your emotional state to sit in the sun and breath fresh air. Even if you only have a few minutes, spend that time soaking in some vitamin D, taking deep conscious breaths.

7. Call Someone You’ve Been Meaning to Talk To: Time gets the best of us and we forget about the importance of keeping our human connections alive. Relationships whether that’s a relative, friend or significant other take work. Carve out a few minutes a day to check up on those people in your life. Send a simple text if you can’t find the time to call. Talk on the phone or video chat. It only takes a few minutes a day to show those people that you care.

8. Stop Procrastinating! : In my opinion there is no feeling worse than that of tasks hanging over your head. Why in the world do you want to walk around with extra weight on your shoulders? My advice to you is that if something is taking up too much space in your mind, deal with it. Get it out of the way and gift yourself a clear head. It may take some effort to do but I assure you, there is no better feeling than knowing that you have accomplished something.

9. Practice Your Passions: What drives you to get out of bed in the morning? What fuels you to keep going? This does not necessarily need to be your occupation. Most of us work to get by, but what do you work at to live? Again, for me it’s music. For you it may be cycling, painting or carpentry! Practice your passions and make sure they don’t fade into the background. They should be front and center in your life.

10. Rest: As simple as this last practice is, I thought it was important to include as a reminder. It is OK and healthy to allow yourself time to hit the pause button and slow down. If you need extra time in the morning to catch up on sleep or maybe a mid day nap, allow yourself to do so. Don’t beat yourself up for “being lazy” or “not productive “. Listening to your body allows for both your body and mind to work together and function properly. We are living in an exhausting world, it’s ok to be tired. Get some rest and recharge for tomorrow.