Liven Up!

Simple Tips to Lift Up Your Mood and Energize the Day
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I think we’ve all had one of these days. Cozying up and sleeping soundly in our beds until that air raid siren of our alarm clocks reminds us that it's time to get up. However, this day is different, (at least I hope it is), where we just can't seem to bring up that pep in our step. You can already feel it….today is not my day.


Maybe you partied too hard last night or that girl stopped talking to you, either way you're in a bad mood and people can see it. Here’s some tips to help you get through the day.


Cold shower


I know, I know, you love the feeling of that soothing warmth every morning, but you need a pick me up (and a natural one too)! I'm sure you can already see how blasting your naked body with freezing cold water will wake you up, but cold showers come with a myriad of benefits.

Things like:

    -An increased metabolism

    -Better skin

    -Muscle Recovery

    These are just a few, but there's one thing we really want. Serotonin (the feel good chemical) is released when your skin meets the ice-cold oblivion of your shower head. Say hello to a relief in depression symptoms and an increased mental acuity. Cold showers are like your in home Tony Robbins. Sure, it can't change a generation as well as him, but it gets the point across to your brain......WAKE UP ! It'll suck for a few minutes, but it beats slugging through the day like a lethargic zombie.

As a side note, if you ever feel down in the dumps, maybe make it a habit. You'll be surprised at how much better you'll be feeling.

Workout 


If working out was made into a supplement, you’d be superman right now. I'm not trying to say you can magic pill your way to fitness, but what I am saying is that exercise carries more benefits than simply a more attractive physique. 


Exercise promotes an increase in endorphins that boost mental sharpness, memory, concentration, thinking, and brings about another feel good chemical. Oxytocin, is released in the brain which improves our mood, combats stress, and leaves you wondering if those depression meds are even worth the trouble. Even if that's not the case, you'll at the very least feel good about yourself knowing you just dominated that ten minute jog !


You don't need to do anything too crazy. Like I previously mentioned, a short jog is all you need to get the juices flowing.


Man, we’re only on step 2, and I'm sure you're already feeling the light coming back to you. Let’s see what else we can do.

Eat your Veggies !


    PUT DOWN THAT PIECE OF TOAST. I know it tastes good, but hear me out. Sugar and refined carbs cause a spike in insulin, which is then followed by a crash, I'm sure you're familiar with it. You feel sluggish and low energy, and it's usually through eating things like bread, cereal, pasta, or anything refined really.

    Now I know you're not a big fan of these, but man veggies are a lifesaver. For those people who think vegetables are the most disgusting thing on the planet, you haven't had my mothers cooking. In India, they know it's all about the spices. The love you put in your food will be the deciding factor of the euphoria your taste buds will experience. But even after eating a small side of vegetables, my energy levels are through the roof ! When I used to work at a factory, I seemed to be the only one actually in contempt while doing the work, everyone else looked like lifeless robots. The only difference between me and them; I ate my vegetables.

Sure, there were people that packed decent lunches, a sandwich, some water, maybe a granola bar. But nothing compares to those beautiful edibles from mother nature. If you’ve never made vegetables before, the most basic way (and least tasty) is to simply add a little water to a pot, and steam it. Carrots, broccoli, potato, whatever ! Just pick something, they all work wonders.

And as always, don't forget to drink enough water. The earth is mostly made of it, YOU'RE mostly made of it, it's just a no-brainer.

Mindfulness

This is probably one of my favorite things to do on this list. Have you ever heard the saying  “Where attention goes, energy flows”? Some people haven't, and it’s understandable. The basic concept is that instead of pouring all your attention into your bills, kids, work, or anything else that might be stressing you, you bring that attention into yourself.


 The most common way of doing this is meditation, you close your eyes, empty the mind, and breathe. By doing this, you activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is responsible for inducing a feeling of calm, and washes away all the cortisol that has been built up through previous stress. You don't need to do this for too long, heck, even just a couple of minutes will do the trick. Keep your focus on your breath, and anytime your mind wanders, bring your attention back to your breathing. It’ll be hard at first, but like a dog on a leash, your mind will eventually obey.

The Sun !

Ah yes, the great provider of all life, what would we do without that giant ball of combusting inferno?  Remember that feel good chemical from step 1? Serotonin, it doesn't just come from the freezing depths of your shower. You can get your fix from that summer glow of those beautiful UV rays. I'll restate why you want this in your body. It regulates your mood, leaving you happier and giving off a better sense of well-being.

Don't forget the vitamin D! I know a lot of people are still inside thanks to "thou who shall not be named" (C-virus). I get it, it's not the best time to be going out, but this crucial vitamin is derived from that burning star up above. Like the rest of these tips, and say it with me now, "It helps regulate your mood". If your already outside following step two, this one will come naturally as a bundle package ! (Unless it's a cloudy day, tough luck).

As a bonus, saying hi to the light up above also helps regulate your melatonin levels. Naturally, your body will start feeling sleepy around two hours after sun sets. Keeping your sleep cycle consistent will always leave you feeling good every morning.

Just choose to feel happy

What? CHOOSING to feel happy? What is this guy on about? I'd like to refer you to another famous quote I once heard. "Ships don't sink because of the water all around them; Ships sink because of the water that gets inside them." Believe me, I know this sounds crazy, but if you don't want to be feeling like a garbage bag in the inside of an alleyway dumpster, hear me out.

Yes, of course there are times when things don't go your way, and you have every reason to be upset or act irrationally. However, if you look yourself dead in the mirror and tell yourself, "I will be happy no matter what", what do you think will happen? I mean really! Imagine if you consciously made the effort to be happy. "I'm not having this, no matter what I'm always in a good mood and nothing can bring me down." This maybe be the hardest one to apply, because many of us are naturally addicted to our negative and pessimistic thinking, but nothing beats inspired work. That inspired work is a result of your state of being constantly remaining in a good, energetic mood.

Believe me, I know it's not your fault, I know that what happened to you was unfair, and you didn't deserve it. Situations may seem like they can't improve, and your just stuck with the short end of the stick, taking all the mud balls that life could possibly throw at you. Those mud balls won't mean anything if you're taking them with a smile on your face, And that big bully of life will stop throwing them when it realizes that you can't be pushed around anymore. Who do you think will get the promotion at your workplace....? The guy that's always mad at the world, or the guy who's in contempt with his work, no matter how hard it gets. I can tell you from personal experience, a good attitude goes a long way.

So you decide, "Should I stay moping around in quiet desperation? Or is it time to get moving, and continue my day with the best version of me I can be?" If you're reading this article, my guess is that you'll pick the ladder.

And that's the game folks!

I'm glad you made it to the end ! If you do these five simple steps, you’ll be left feeling like Robin Williams on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Not in the sense that you'll have his talent for humor and acting, but you'll have so much energy, you might as well be the next Robin Williams. Your time has come young padawan, go out there and bring the roof down !

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