5 Things You Can Do to Have a Great Day
Imagine you have a full day to yourself to do anything you want. Sounds amazing doesn’t it? Perhaps you don’t have a full day without responsibilities but you still want to have as good a day as you can even in the midst of your regular routines. What makes a good day for one person may not be the same for another.
Leave the expectations behind; yours and others. Have a …day…whatever that may be. Be intentional by planning your day or be intentionally spontaneous if that will bring you joy. For some, having a great day is more about being and not just doing. For others, a great day is in doing.
Here are five tips you can do to have that great day that is special for you no matter what your schedule is.
1. Recharge
Do what recharges you. Are you an introvert or extrovert? When thinking about or planning what elements make a great day for yourself, think about what recharges your energy reserve.
Those with introverted personalities at times recharge by spending time alone to unwind, think and be creative. Many introverts feel drained from being around people or large crowds for long periods of time and value intimate conversations with a friend.
For those with extroverted personalities they tend to recharge by being around other people and doing activities. Having too much alone time decreases their energy reserve.
2. Communicate
Communicate to yourself and others what you feel, need and want in these four categories of body, emotions, mind, and spirit. Draw a circle and divide it into four sections labeling each section; Body/Physical, Emotions, Mind, and Spirit/Soul. As you are thinking about your specific personality needs and what recharges or re energizes you to have a great day, ask yourself what you need in those 4 areas and write them down in their sections. Continue filling in your circle.
Examples:
Today in my body physically I feel…(tired).
I need…(A day with no responsibilities).
I want…(alone time to sleep in and be in my pjs all day binge watching Netflix and have my partner take care of the kids. I want to hangout with my friend, order take-out food and talk or to go for a run with one to two friends, or go to the work party etc.)
Today in my emotions I feel…(like crying, sensitive, sad, creative, happy).
I need…(Time to journal my emotions, go to my therapist, time with friends).
I want…(To go to the bar after work and hangout with my friends).
3. Self
Spend time with yourself. You could go on a “me” date where you try something new like a new food or read a book at the park. Unplug from electronics and give yourself undivided attention that you would expect from someone on a date. Do some self-care, try a new yoga class, stop at that cafe you’ve always wanted to go to, embrace your inner creative; garden, journal. Be mindful. For an introvert spending time alone may come more naturally and for an extrovert it may mean doing self-care while with many other people such as participating in a sports tournament or going to the gym.
4. Others
Focus on thinking of others' needs. Intentionally smile and make eye contact with someone, spend time with a friend or family member you enjoy. Visit your elderly neighbor and bring them cookies, mow your parents lawn. Do random acts of kindness for others. Volunteer at an animal shelter or food bank. Donate blood.
5. Mindfulness
Be mindful. Take time during your day to intentionally be mindful being present in the moment with your thoughts and emotions. While doing a mundane chore such as washing dishes where your mind can drift off you can have a grounding experience of being mindful of the way the warm water feels on your fingers, the way the soap suds float, the way the warm water makes you feel soothed and sleepy. We can have a long list of things we want to do …be mindful in each experience.
Take time to reflect on your day that hopefully turned out great because you were listening to your needs, communicating those to yourself and others, spending time with yourself as well as focusing on others needs and being mindful with your thoughts and emotions. Reflect on what were the things that meant the most to you and why? Did you end the day feeling more energy than depleted? What would you do the same and differently next time you want to have a great day?
Roubicek & Thacker Counseling is Fresno’s premier provider of individual, couples, family, and group therapy. We offer in-person and online remote therapy sessions. Contact us today to change the way you feel.