For most of us the dreaded Mondays will be enough to turn our happy Sunday moods into sour ones, but here are a few ways to turn those frowns upside down!
Here are some great tips to make Mondays your best day yet!
1. Kill them with kindness
Remember the lesson you teach your kids about saying something nice or nothing at all? It’s time to turn that concept on its head. Instead of keeping silent the next time you encounter a sourpuss, dish out a compliment. Compliment your boss’s haircut, or acknowledge the hard work of a surly PTA mom. A kind comment could do more to shield you from a dark cloud than zipping your lip. It may even help clear the skies for the other person too.
2. Do unto others
It’s easy to sit and stew about the jerk that cut you off on the highway. A stay-happy alternative to fuming: Do what you wish he had done, advises Dr. Holstein. For example, give the next car plenty of room to merge and a friendly wave. Research shows that doing a good deed for others can lift your mood even more than doing something nice for yourself, says Dr. Holstein. Then, you’ll feel better (and feel good about yourself) for taking the high road.
3. Fake it until you make it
When you’re cranky, the last thing you want to do is smile. But smiling can actually help cement a sunny outlook. When you pretend to be happy, it crowds out unpleasant thoughts because we can only truly concentrate on one thing at a time, explains Dr. Holstein. In fact, research from Paul Ekman, Ph.D., a psychologist who studies facial expressions and the author of Revealing Emotions, shows that grinning actually activates the happiness region of your brain and can help you perceive things in a better light.
5. Skip the morning news
Your sensitivity to others isn’t limited to those around you. Simply reading the day’s depressing headlines can leave you down in the dumps. Solution: If you have a ritual of checking the morning news, replace it with a restorative activity, such as a stretching DVD, walking the dog or reading to your kids. You can still keep up with current events — just wait until the afternoon, when you’re less susceptible to negative reports, recommends Dr. Holstein.
6. Play in the dirt
Gardening can be a terrific way to prevent and even shake off a bad mood. Studies show exercise alone helps increase feelings of happiness and well-being, plus working in the soil has also been shown to bolster positivity, says Dr. Holstein. Scientists at the University of Bristol discovered that contact with microorganisms in the soil stimulates production of serotonin, the feel-good chemical in your brain. So, ditch the gloves and get your hands dirty!
7. See the glass as half full
In most families, or circle of friends, there’s often one person who can’t see the silver lining in anything. To keep a Debbie Downer from bumming you out, acknowledge her point, then offer an alternative, more positive point of view. For example, if your friend complains of slow service at a restaurant, agree that it could be speedier but also mention how grateful you are to catch up. Forcing yourself to look on the bright side keeps you from focusing on the negative aspects of any situation. Who knows, you may even influence your friend to be more optimistic.
8. Keep things in perspective
When life throws you the big curveballs, such as money issues or health concerns, resolve to look at the whole picture and keep things in perspective. When bad thoughts creep in, make an effort to think as rationally about your situation as possible. Ask yourself: Will canceling your yearly vacation scar your kids for life? No, it won’t. (They may even be relieved.) And if negative emotions and thoughts continue to spiral, call an impartial friend. (Family members can be too close for an unbiased perspective.) Ask her to remind you the facts, advises Dr. Holstein.
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