It's impossible to be happy 100% of the time and to truly plan for unexpectedly tiresome days. Although this may be the case, not all hope is completely lost. There are things we can do to make sure we're as prepared as possible. It's easier said than done to be "sunshine on a cloudy day" as The Temptations put it. However, it's not impossible. While there are definitely days when we should throw in the towel for our own wellbeing, we need more "sunshine warriors" out in the world to combat all the far-too-frequent negativity out there. How to be a Sunshine Warrior Step 1: Get Enough Sleep Getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep allows our whole body to prepare for the day ahead. From our digestive system to our brain, a lack of sleep affects everything. A good night's sleep allows us to have (among many other things):
Step 2: Fuel Up Putting the proper nutrients into your body allows it to get the right fuel for both today and tomorrow. Eating proper portions from the 5 food groups ensures that you're giving yourself exactly what you need. Eating enough of the right kinds of foods and drinking enough water helps with:
Step 3: Set Intentions We can't guarantee a great day, but we can guarantee that we can go into a day with the right attitude. Making a positive difference in the world has to start with you. You have to make sure that you're in the right mindset to take on the day ahead of you. Decide at the beginning of the week what your biggest goals are going to be (diet, exercise, etc.). Each morning, set an intention and tell someone or write it down. For example, I'm finding I need to work on my patience so I'll tell Dylan, "Today I'm going to be more patient." Then, he checks up on me to see what happened--and (usually) I have a pretty good report to give back. Step 4: Work it Out Whether you have a job where you're on your feet all day or you work at a desk, exercising for 30-60 minutes can set you up for success (I promise you have time). From taking the stairs instead of the elevator to going to a class with a friend or doing yoga in your living room, find something that works for you and set up a plan for yourself to help you stick to it. While there are plenty of benefits to regular exercise, Step 5: Accept It. We had this great line in a show I was in that was simply, "I accept it." Let me tell you--this has been one of the most influential lines of my life. Miss your train? I accept it. Computer shuts down? I accept it. You couldn't be positive all day and your energy is gone and you can't make it to the gym and need a rest day? I accept it. It's like a breath of fresh air to calm you down before you absolutely lose it. Like I said, you're not going to be positive 100% of the time. Sometimes life gets you. Things happen, the stack of woes piles up, and sometimes we need to accept that the day isn't going as well as you wanted it to. Accept it, take a breath, and try your best. Repeat your intention of the day to yourself, try and correct what you can, don't be too hard on yourself, and accept it. Then erase your internal whiteboard, eat a good meal, get some good sleep, and try again tomorrow. --- I'm sure you've heard of many of these tips and tricks before and may have yourself convinced on all or most of them that you're not able to do them. Of course there are superheroes in the world like moms and dads that aren't getting as much sleep as they want. Of course these take time. Of course life happens. HOWEVER. You deserve to be a Sunshine Warrior. Do not be afraid to treat yourself like one. Ask for help so you can get a little more sleep or ask someone to do it with you and keep you accountable, do what you have to do. You are worth it and the people around you are worth it. It's not about being perfect--it's about being a little better than we were yesterday! ~E 1 News in Health: The Benefits of Slumber 2 ChooseMyPlate 3 Goodnet: 10 Ways to Set Yourself up for Success Each Day 4 Medline Plus: The Benefits of Exercise
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June 2020
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