It’s not unnatural for you to feel like life is going nowhere sometimes. Nothing has changed. There is nothing that bothers you so much that you find it difficult to get out of bed and yet you slug through your days, hoping tomorrow will be different. We all hit these roadblocks in life where regular routines go for a toss and you just do what you have to without putting much thought into it, much less enjoying it or doing it mindfully. This is when most people decide to take a vacation and go somewhere to recharge.
As ideal and welcome as a vacation always is, it’s not always practical or possible. There are times and circumstances that keep you bound to your home and office but you know you need to do something to get out of the slump you seem to be in for no particular reason. Here are some simple and free ways you can reset your nervous system for a more relaxed and happy life.
Wake up at the same time every day
It’s tempting to lounge around in bed when the weather is dreary or it’s raining. And it’s a good excuse as any when you don’t feel particularly motivated or excited about your day. But resist the temptation to laze around and get up at a set time, whatever it might be, every day to give your days some sort of structure even when it feels like there is none. Just the simple act of getting out of bed at a regular time every day gives you a semblance of normalcy. Many successful people all over the world have repeatedly talked about the power of getting up early or at a fixed time every day. It allows you to take charge of your days and creates a sense of discipline.
Have a morning ritual you look forward to
Mediate, drink good coffee while reading the papers, or go for a walk with your headphones on—having a fixed morning ritual, and one that you look forward to, can significantly elevate how you feel about yourself and your day. If you don’t have a morning ritual, work on one. Do you like to read or journal perhaps? Create a ritual where you do what you like first thing in the morning. This helps you get out of bed a little more excited and set the right tone for your day as well. Make sure you keep your morning rituals simple and practical. You could also occasionally work on switching things up and changing your morning rituals as per your need.
Get up and dress up
Most of the time, when you are working from home or don’t feel particularly up for anything during the weekends, you tend to lounge around in kaftans or pajamas. As comfortable and cozy as that might be sometimes, it’s not something you should do regularly. Make it a point to dress well after you get up and before you head out of your bedroom. Choose your outfit with care and get dressed. Put on your favorite piece of jewelry or do some light makeup to give your cheeks a pop of color. Trust us, it will make you feel a whole lot better. Dressing well and in clothes that make you feel good is an instant stress buster.
Practice mindfulness
Ideally, mornings should be slow. If you can, try not to rush through things. But even if slow mornings aren’t possible, take 20 minutes to practice mindfulness. By this, we don’t necessarily mean meditation but anything that relaxes you and you can do alone. It could be making a cup of matcha that requires all your concentration or reading some poetry, just gazing out of the window, or doing chores with your favorite music playing in the background. Being present in the moment is all it takes to reset your mind for what lies ahead. Our readers vouch for 15 minutes of quiet reading or some time spent in the garden as things that help them start their days on a lighter note.
Schedule something fun
We tend to get caught in the rigmarole of the daily grind and forget to take out little pockets of time for ourselves to unwind and recharge. Your days don’t have to look and feel the same if you make it a point to switch things up whenever and however you can. It could be a lazy brunch with a friend during the weekend, or a visit to the farmer’s market. You could make plans to catch up with a friend for coffee during lunch hours. Even a short shopping trip where you give yourself a small budget and go on a treasure hunt of sorts to find as many items as you can without overshooting it can feel invigorating. Don’t wait for a vacation to reset your life. Try to find little things that you enjoy that you can indulge in on a daily basis.
