How to Transform a Bad Day into a Better Day

Last week I ran into several friends who were going through challenging times and feeling blue. We all have our days and those certain times in our lives that can feel like a struggle. We may not be able to quickly change the circumstance but we can most certainly change how we react to it. Sitting around thinking about how awful everything is will only make you feel worse. The quicker you change your frame of mind, the quicker your life will change direction.

Break the pattern. Have you ever noticed when you’re depressed your life shrinks down to a series of mundane tasks? Most people I know stop doing anything but what is absolutely necessary to get through the day which only creates more time to think about what is depressing them. Here are 6 ideas to break the pattern and start feeling better fast:

1. Change your normal pattern first thing in the morning. If you normally listen to TV in the morning, turn on your favorite uplifting music. If you normally listen to music try something with a different beat or style.

2. Exercise first thing in the morning even if you only have five or ten minutes; walk, stretch, dance or dust off one of your forgotten exercise videos.

3. Dream. While you have your coffee or morning drink take a sheet of paper and write down what your ideal life would look like. Then make a list of things you can do to move toward that goal. If it’s a new career, plan to research a school or course around it. If it’s a new location, get on the internet and research the Chamber of Commerce in the area and discover more about it. Make a plan to find out more about whatever it is you dream of doing. Each day make plan to do more toward achieving your goal or dream. Keep a notebook on your research and progress.

4. What are you reading? Plan a trip to the book store and find something to read that inspires and absorbs you. What you put in your mind is what comes out in your life.

5. Laugh. Remember a funny incident that always makes you laugh and write it down. Scan through your emails and find some of those funny videos your friends have sent you. Make a funny video of your pet and keep it handy. I taped my dog’s “we’re going on a walk” dance. It never ceases to amaze me how she can be that excited over the same thing every single day. It is the physical definition of glee and the dance and vocals span my entire house.

6. Pull out a video or photos of your favorite memory, Christmas, a reunion or whatever makes you feel good. Take your photos with you and look at them throughout your day. When you are remembering something happy and pleasant, it’s impossible to be sad at the same time.

Misery loves company. Surround yourself with positive people and vow not to talk about your issue while you’re with them. Positive energy is contagious. Catch some now and don’t wash your hands after you touch it! To get you started, here are some of my favorite inspiring quotes, enjoy:

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst a spark that creates extraordinary results." -- UNKNOWN

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - CHINESE SAYING

"The beginning is always today." -- MARY WOLLSTONECROFT

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." -- HENRY DAVID THOREAU

“The best way you can cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up” - MARK TWAIN

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" -- MARK TWAIN

“Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin!" - ANONYMOUS

The best thing about being a woman, is the prerogative to have a little fun!” -- SHANIA TWAIN

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” -- MAE WEST

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." -- JIM ROHN

"A good laugh is sunshine in a house." -- WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -- GOETHE

"I am not afraid of storms, I am learning to sail my own ship." -- LOUISE MAY ALCOTT

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