By Mara Milazzo
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. –Dalai Lama
We all know too well how hard it is to stay motivated in our everyday lives. Between obligations to work and/or school and family, life gets pretty exhausting sometimes.
I’ve compiled a list of little things I try to focus on to keep me going. Here are 8 minor adjustments we are all capable of making to motivate and inspire us as we prepare for this busy holiday season!
1) First things first, drink more water
We all know that water is essential to life, but I know that I will oftentimes forget to drink the proper amount of water on a daily basis as it’s easy to forget to drink it! It’s important to keep in mind, though, that water flushes out the waste and circulates the nutrients in our bodies, helping us feel better and perform better. We all know the rule: drink eight 8oz glasses of water per day to stay healthy and energized! Bring a water bottle to work so you won’t forget to drink it, and you can keep track of how much you’re drinking, too.
2) Get more sleep
This is definitely one of the more complicated things on this list because it always seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get things done. However, this is so important in improving our overall mood! It’s time that we move getting a decent amount of sleep toward the top of our list of priorities.
3) Get organized
I’m kind of an OCD freak, so getting organized is a sure way to improve my mood. But even for those who aren’t as organized, you may find that it improves your mood, as well. When everything is in its place, it’s easier to stay on top of things – which reduces stress levels (and gives you more time for stuff like sleep).
4) Set goals every day
I like to make a to-do list on a daily basis for two reasons: it helps me stay on top of things (refer to #3) and I feel accomplished as I check things off of my list. Feeling accomplished is feeling good, and it motivates me to do more.
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things. –Albert Einstein
5) Exercise
I don’t have much room to speak because rarely ever do I make time to do this BUT the few times I do, it pays off. I love to run, and (if you didn’t already know) running releases endorphins, which make you a happier person in general. If getting in shape and being a happier person aren’t reason enough for you to start running, I suggest taking a look at this Buzzfeed list. But of course running isn’t your only option!
Remember there are always ways to make exercising fun. Grab some friends and take a class at the gym (all of mine LOVE yoglates) or join Happy’s Running Club on Tuesdays and reward yourself with a drink afterward. Which brings me to my next suggestion…
6) Reward yourself!
I only work and go to school, and I get stressed out pretty often. I can only imagine how all the moms out there feel! I don’t have to be a mom to know that it’s hard work, though, so it’s important that you reward yourself for all that you do. Obviously we need breaks to recharge, but it’s also nice to be able to acknowledge and reflect on the things we’ve accomplished and plan for the future based on what we’ve learned. We need breaks like this in order to keep going!
7) Grind the creative gears
When I have some time to myself (and I don’t have the energy to exercise), I love getting in touch with my creative outlet to release some stress. Whether it’s painting a canvas or making some DIY thing that I can use around the house, it’s something I can say I accomplished, and I more than likely had fun doing it. And don’t forget – reading is also a great way to get your mind moving while escaping for a little while.
And finally…
8) Remember the things for which you are thankful
Remembering what we are thankful for is guaranteed to remind us that we have plenty of good reasons to stay motivated! Every morning, start the day off right by trying to think of specific things you appreciate.
As entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, either you run the day, or the day runs you. So what will it be City Social readers? Comment if you have any inspiring tips, and don't be afraid to pass our advice along to your friends! We could all use some extra motivation :-)
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. –Dalai Lama
We all know too well how hard it is to stay motivated in our everyday lives. Between obligations to work and/or school and family, life gets pretty exhausting sometimes.
I’ve compiled a list of little things I try to focus on to keep me going. Here are 8 minor adjustments we are all capable of making to motivate and inspire us as we prepare for this busy holiday season!
1) First things first, drink more water
We all know that water is essential to life, but I know that I will oftentimes forget to drink the proper amount of water on a daily basis as it’s easy to forget to drink it! It’s important to keep in mind, though, that water flushes out the waste and circulates the nutrients in our bodies, helping us feel better and perform better. We all know the rule: drink eight 8oz glasses of water per day to stay healthy and energized! Bring a water bottle to work so you won’t forget to drink it, and you can keep track of how much you’re drinking, too.
2) Get more sleep
This is definitely one of the more complicated things on this list because it always seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get things done. However, this is so important in improving our overall mood! It’s time that we move getting a decent amount of sleep toward the top of our list of priorities.
3) Get organized
I’m kind of an OCD freak, so getting organized is a sure way to improve my mood. But even for those who aren’t as organized, you may find that it improves your mood, as well. When everything is in its place, it’s easier to stay on top of things – which reduces stress levels (and gives you more time for stuff like sleep).
4) Set goals every day
I like to make a to-do list on a daily basis for two reasons: it helps me stay on top of things (refer to #3) and I feel accomplished as I check things off of my list. Feeling accomplished is feeling good, and it motivates me to do more.
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things. –Albert Einstein
5) Exercise
I don’t have much room to speak because rarely ever do I make time to do this BUT the few times I do, it pays off. I love to run, and (if you didn’t already know) running releases endorphins, which make you a happier person in general. If getting in shape and being a happier person aren’t reason enough for you to start running, I suggest taking a look at this Buzzfeed list. But of course running isn’t your only option!
Remember there are always ways to make exercising fun. Grab some friends and take a class at the gym (all of mine LOVE yoglates) or join Happy’s Running Club on Tuesdays and reward yourself with a drink afterward. Which brings me to my next suggestion…
6) Reward yourself!
I only work and go to school, and I get stressed out pretty often. I can only imagine how all the moms out there feel! I don’t have to be a mom to know that it’s hard work, though, so it’s important that you reward yourself for all that you do. Obviously we need breaks to recharge, but it’s also nice to be able to acknowledge and reflect on the things we’ve accomplished and plan for the future based on what we’ve learned. We need breaks like this in order to keep going!
7) Grind the creative gears
When I have some time to myself (and I don’t have the energy to exercise), I love getting in touch with my creative outlet to release some stress. Whether it’s painting a canvas or making some DIY thing that I can use around the house, it’s something I can say I accomplished, and I more than likely had fun doing it. And don’t forget – reading is also a great way to get your mind moving while escaping for a little while.
And finally…
8) Remember the things for which you are thankful
Remembering what we are thankful for is guaranteed to remind us that we have plenty of good reasons to stay motivated! Every morning, start the day off right by trying to think of specific things you appreciate.
As entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, either you run the day, or the day runs you. So what will it be City Social readers? Comment if you have any inspiring tips, and don't be afraid to pass our advice along to your friends! We could all use some extra motivation :-)