What's a Good Day? And How Do I Have More?
Have you had a good day lately? And if you did, what made it good?
You might be thinking: Why not just be thankful when a good day comes along? What's the value in trying to analyze it?
Well, that's a good question. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, right? But here's why: If you can identify what makes for a good day, you might also be able to create more of them.
What Makes a Good Day For You? The Answer is the Key to More Good Days!
A lot of factors might contribute to a good day. So what makes a good day for you? Knowing the answer to that question can give you the upper hand in making sure you have more good days ahead. And if you're living with a chronic condition, having a good day – and avoiding bad days – is that much more important to your overall physical and emotional wellness.
Make sense? If it does, then it might be worth your time to take a step back and figure out your own good day recipe.
Seize your power to create a good day. You don't have to hope and wait until a good day just happens to come your way. The first step is to empower yourself to take the actions necessary to help make your day better. You can do it!
Break that good day down into the pieces. The next time you have a good day, take a step back and think about why it was so good. What kinds of thoughts did you have about yourself and the world around you? What did you do to make yourself feel good? Was there someone in your life who helped make your day a good one? Taking the time to identify what makes up a good day gives you a toolkit you can use to make the most of each day.
Visualize your "good day" mindset. What goes on in your mind on a good day? Most likely, you are feeling optimistic about what's possible that day. Feeling good about yourself and your place in the world. And supported by people you care about. What's your self-talk like on a good day? Jot it down to review when you need to pick yourself up.
Identify actions you can take. What do you do for yourself to make your day a good one? Indulge in something you enjoy? Take some time to relax? Have a good laugh? You might want to brainstorm with yourself here and come up with a whole list of day-brighteners. As needed, add them to your to-do list.
And of course… I know this probably goes without saying. But staying on top of your self-care regimen also plays an important role in whether you have a good day or not.
Consider the people who help your day go better. Do you have a friend or a family member whose presence seems to make your world a happier place? Who always has a few words of encouragement? That you can say whatever you need to say, without being judged or told what you should do? Keep your support team close by.
Give back. Doing an act of kindness, even just smiling at someone who needs a little encouragement, can get those feel-good hormones flowing. Get a better day by looking for an opportunity to give. Remember that giving to others can help take your mind off your own problems.
Figure out your recipe for a good day. Keep it around. Hang it on your refrigerator. Enter it into your smartphone. Power up to do everything you can to make each day a good one.