Introduction: The Power of Your Choices
Every one of us has days where we feel restless, demotivated, or just drained. We may feel stagnant or like we’re running out of steam. Whatever the case, there always seems to be a problem getting in the way. For me personally, overcoming these lulls has stemmed from attitude shifts, and of course, learning the simple concept that life quality can be greatly determined by your choices, even your most trivial ones.
But transforming your day does not mean you have to make drastic changes. Sometimes, a single step goes a long way in changing your attitude, providing the much needed mental reset. So, whether you feel stressed out, need motivation, or simply a mental boost, you would be surprised to know how your smaller choices can create impactful results.
In this article, I’ll share six easy steps to take when dealing with varying emotions. These steps are more than just reacting to your current feelings; they’re actions where you proactively decide and take control to steer yourself towards a happier and more meaningful life. Let me explain.
1️⃣ Feeling Unfocused? Go for a Run 🏃♂️💨
Taking your mind off everything can be a form of self-care too! If you feel pressure due to deadlines, numerous tasks or interruptions, you might feel mentally drained. The next time this happens to you and you are having trouble focusing, I have an easy fix: go run!
Running is a great way to put a person in a good mood. It is not usually seen as a required task, meaning that the runner would be doing it at their own will free from any shackles of obligation.
Why it works：
Being in motion can result in a person feeling happier while permanently lowering stress levels than sitting idle for long durations of time.
Boosting a runner’s oxygen levels also leads to improved performance.
Removing a person from set mentally stimulating tasks allows them to perform better at an easier required task afterward.
Even the shortest possible run of 10–20 minutes fulfills the criteria. It allows the runner to feel in charge and put forth the required amount of focus for the tasks that they were earlier procrastinating about.
2️⃣ Lacking Inspiration? Pick Up a Good Book 📚
Even the most creative people often feel uninspired at some point. During these periods, grabbing a book could help. Books have an unmatched potential to inspire and help one escape mundane thought patterns and offer refreshed mental immersion.
Books, whether fiction or non-fiction, stimulate the imagination and inspire novel concepts or fresh perceptions. The simple act of reading has the potential to revive “creative fatigue” and stimulate new problem-solving pathways.
Why it works:
- Reading reinforces mental activity, facilitating the linking of disparate ideas.
- It allows new perspectives to be encountered, providing inspiration.
- Concepts from books may motivate the readers to reconfigure new objectives either for leisure or professionally.
Make reading an integral part of your day. No matter what the topic is, start with something interesting enough to capture your attention, and let it guide you somewhere imaginative, especially if you happen to be struggling with a creative block.
3️⃣ Feeling Upset? Take a Deep Breath 🌬️
Taking a breather is always recommended when feeling upset . . . That might mean you are dealing with overwhelming feelings, whether it is anger, frustration, or sadness. During such times, the most helpful solution is taking deep breaths.
Deep breathing calms the central nervous system and reduces stress. So against popular belief, calming the body does not have to begin with a fidget—especially when faced with an anger incident—and can actually begin with controlled breathing. In these circumstances, the portion of breathing yourself into calmness can dictate your mood and the situations you desire .
Works Why:
The body’s fight-off mechanism centered call to distress automatically hums down and hence, brings about relaxation.
Deep breathing also increases the oxygen concentration in the brain allowing it relax from emotional activities and pressure.
This also imposes oneself passive, thus allowing the person to workout their feelings calmly and rationally.
Stepping away helps one nullify feelings hence increasing ability to rationalize. Also closing the eyes for a couple of seconds opens the window into controlled breathing .
4️⃣ Burnt Out? Spend Time in Nature 🌳🍃
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is not an uncommon feeling, especially when you are overwhelmed by life and everything in between. During such times, one of the best to recharge would be spending time in nature.
The effects of nature has a tremendous impact on one’s mental well-being. It can be anything from a walk to the park or sitting on a bench near the beach, anything from to clean air boosts improves mental clarity.
Why it works:
Studies show that going outdoors positively influences your mood while lowering productivity related stress.
Being in nature increeases creativity and focus by providing a mentally stimulating environment
In turn the natural setting promotes balance and mental well being which help reclaim emotional decision fatigue.
A short walk at the park and comming back to nature multiple times a gives a mental recharge especially, if you are feeling burnt out.
5️⃣ Tired? Go for a Walk 🚶♀️
There’s a good chance you’re in front of the TV binge-watching your favorite show and when you’re finished, you feel lethargic and want to sit down for hours on end. The solution? Try going for a quick walk. Brisk walks are low-impact exercises and they can tremendously boost your energy levels as well as enhance your concentration.
What makes it so effective:
Walking helps oxygen and blood flow his to other parts of the body which aids in the improvement of how alert and awake one feels.
Boosts energy levels efficiently and naturally without rest or caffeine consumption.
Soaking in sunshine, particularly near greens is helpful to clear the mind as well as improve one’s mood and attitude.
So instead of resting, take short but adding walks so those dreaded energetic feelings of fatigue are no more.
6️⃣ Feeling Lonely? Call a Friend ☎️
Loneliness is among the most difficult feelings to cope with, particularly in moments when you feel the world has disconnected from you. If you’re feeling lonely and isolated, sometimes calling a friend can make a world of difference.
Human beings are social creatures and need to interact with other people for one’s emotional health and wellbeing. Through a conversation with a close friend or a family member, you start to feel understood, appreciated, and supported. Even a short chat can improve your mood and serve as a reminder that you are not completely alone.
Why it works:
Talking to a trusted person makes you release oxytocin, a hormone responsible for making people feel happy and bonded.
Talking about one’s feelings makes it easier to be upset and helps in processing emotions.
Friendships and other forms of social support are essential for healthy mental functioning and psychological wellbeing.
The next time you’re feeling lonely, think of an empathetic person you can reconnect with. It can be a short text, an in-depth call, or whatever works for you—it always helps to reach out and reconnect with people.
The Key to Making Better Choices
Here’s the main idea: make decisions based on hope instead of on fears. Recovery and moving forward while not feeling motivated, tired, or overwhelmed hinges on your prior decision.
We usually fall into the more comfortable and fear-based approach, however, when we choose to proactively take supportive actions like going for a walk, calling a friend, or deep breathing, then we begin to cultivate a growth and resilient mindset.
Develop a habit which no action is wrong or inopportune. An active approach to life builds towards a balanced life. No matter how small every step taken, counts.
My Opinion | Make Every Move Count
The legacy is written by you and so is your life, and the quality of your choices defines your quality of life. You’re building your life with every decision, every action, and every single step taken.
In life, make small changes and take targeted actions to improve your life. If anytime you feel distracted, demotivated, or fatigued, then you can try the actions listed above. Indeed, making the right choices consistently will enhance your day, week, and ultimately life.
It’s about time you start now. Take charge of every decision you make, and notice how your life transforms for the best
