Were you frustrated, upset, sad, and discouraged by 2016? All of the above? Most people have resolved to make 2017 a better year and, if you’re reading this, then you probably want to have a better year too. Whether it’s our health, we’d like to improve our mental and emotional fortitude or our mood in general. Most of us have something we’d like to improve this year. Luckily, none of this has to be difficult. Here are 3 ways you can put this into action right now that will help you become happier and stronger.
Review and analyze your day each night before you go to sleep.
Many of us find ourselves[1] thinking and worrying about the future before bed; many actually lose sleep over it! Try thinking instead about your day. What happened during the day? How do you feel about the situations that arose? Are you happy about how you handled them or do you feel like you could have done better? What might you do differently in a similar situation. This exercise isn’t meant to be stressful. In fact, it should have the very opposite effect. Do it every night and watch how your daily perspective shifts to become more positive and proactive.
Don’t worry too much about gains you’ll make in the future.
The human brain is designed for immediate rewards, and not so much possible long-term benefits.[2] We can use this evolutionary programming to reduce our anxiety, and increase our daily happiness. Focus on the small, every-day successes to motivate yourself, rather than worrying about what you’ll receive in the future. For example, a nursing student shouldn’t worry constantly about finals at the beginning of the year. They should focus on daily quizzes, studying, and success with practicals. Not only will focusing on these smaller steps bring the student a sense of accomplishment, it will prepare them for the distant finals.
Just say no.
We as human beings often have a very hard time saying no to anything or anybody. It’s difficult to break this habit and it will take practice but it will be well worth it. Think of any major successful person. Do you think they got to where they are in life by saying yes to everything? Probably not. People who run businesses or who have become successful in other ways have learned the important art of refusal. It’s important to remember that telling someone “no” isn’t rude or mean; try not to worry so much about offending people. Remember that your time and energy is just as valuable as anyone else’s. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help your mom with her shopping, but it does mean you should have the power to choose the things you do. Make your life simpler and try saying no to everything by default with few exceptions. You’ll find that you have more time on your hands and you’ll be less stressed in general.
Our problems in life are usually way simpler than we make them out to be. Find ways to change your perspectives and attitudes about life and you’ll find yourself becoming a happier and stronger person every day. Remember when you try the three suggestions above that making a practice work requires making it into a habit. They may seem like small changes, but they may have profound effects on your life. Make these three good habits part of your daily routine and make this year your best yet! Share this article with your friends and help them have a great year!
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Quora: How can I make myself better each day? |
| [2] | ^ | James Clear: The Evolution of Anxiety: Why We Worry and What to Do About It |
