Wellbeing
Seven ways to feel brilliant every day
Life as we usually know it seems to be resuming . But many people have had a very hard time , while others need a boost to get going again or start something new . Nerja Wellbeing Coach David Hurst offers seven simple tips that everyone can do to feel brilliant every day .
When people come to me they ’ re either in need of inspiration or they feel desperately trapped in a cold dark hole of depression , anxiety and stress . There might also be addictions to drink , drugs or certain behaviours that they ’ re using in an attempt to feel better or mask their pain .
But whether it ’ s to beat anxiety or depression , quit something or get a boost , people need to firstly get on level ground , feel energised and positive . There are more , but best of all about all these seven ways is that if anyone does them they cannot not work . Try them for seven days and if they work , it makes sense to carry on doing them . After all , life is for living – and to be the best you that you can be !
Be grateful and focus on the positive
Be grateful from the second you wake up . One effective way is by writing down ten things you ’ re grateful for such as running water , nature , a home , friends , and even smaller things such as a comb or pen . Start each sentence with the words : “ I ’ m grateful for … ”.
Avoid negativity by limiting or quitting social media and the news as they often bring on negative emotions such as jealousy or anger . If you focus on everything that ’ s negative in the world you will live in a negative world .
Similarly , spend time with people who are positive , which may mean you need to limit time with some friends and family . Also , don ’ t compare yourself to anyone and , at all times , avoid gossip .
Begin each day calmly
Start every day with calm and in stillness for 30 minutes . Instead , many people go straight into what needs to be done that day and sometimes even years ahead too , then wonder why they ’ re always so stressed .
Ending a day with calm , stillness and reflection is also positive . Think about anything you might have done differently – not to be harsh on yourself , but so you keep growing .
Live one day at a time
Live a day at a time and keep it in the day . We cannot change the past or predict the future , so keep it in the moment , giving your best to what ’ s there in front of you . You can make this less time if a day seems too long – an hour or even just a minute .
Be humble and kind
Pride comes before a fall . So it ’ s fine to celebrate achievements – but never brag . This is connected with being kind as it means you ’ re thinking of others . Put being kind at the top of your mind because as soon as we give , we gain .
As writer CS Lewis put it : “ Humility is not thinking less of yourself , it ’ s thinking of yourself less .”
Say sorry as soon as possible
If you cause some harm or make a mistake that affects someone , then say sorry as soon as possible . Never say : “ I ’ m sorry , but …” as this mostly leads into justification of why something happened , and it usually just opens it all up again .
You ’ re drawing a line under it , so that you and anyone involved can move on . This means you ’ re not debilitating yourself with remorse . Likewise , if you make a mistake , go easy on yourself so you don ’ t fall into self-pity .
Always be honest
Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius said in the 3rd century BC : “ If it is not right do not do it ; if it is not true do not say it .”
So always be truthful . To yourself as well – trust your gut instinct as it will never lie to you . A key aspect of this is to answer honestly : is my lifestyle good for me ? This includes what you eat and if you do enough exercise . Then if you ’ re doing something you know is unhealthy emotionally and / or physically , cut it down or quit . If you find you cannot cut it down , then you likely need to quit .
Reach out
David Hurst pic : Tone Camara
Asking for help takes great courage , and even knowing you can at any time will help . Like Buddha said : “ Greater in battle than the one who conquers an army of a thousand , is the one who conquers just one – themselves .”
Sometimes we need help from someone else , especially someone who ’ s been where we are and has the solution – and there always is a solution . For instance , everyone in successful recovery today has asked for help and consequently found a solution .
Those people , including myself since 2002 , will tell you it ’ s the best thing they ever did .
DAVID HURST
David Hurst is a Wellbeing Coach with four books published on mental health and emotional recovery , including 12 Steps To 1 Hero and The Anxiety Conversation . To find out more or contact David to find out how he can help you or someone you care about , visit : david-hurst . com
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