10 ways to turn it around.

You get up on the “wrong side of the bed” and you just have that gut feeling that this is going to be one of “those” days at work. You are beginning to think it’s true because while getting ready for work you changed your outfit three times, nicked yourself shaving, or suffered a curling iron burn. And it’s only Wednesday!

Here are some ideas to evaporate those dark clouds before they take over your day:

  1. Eat something. Even if an energy bar or a slice of last night’s pizza is all you have time to grab — don’t start you day on “empty”.   Low blood sugar could make you feel grumpy.
  2. Before you lock up and leave, baby-talk your cat/dog/bird/goldfish, stuffed moose head over the mantel. An extra “Whose a widdle cuddle wuddle?” could go a long way.
  3. Get in your car (bus, bike, scooter, or train) and take one big, slow, deep breath, just take this one slow deep breath for a count of six, hold it for three counts, exhale slowly for a count of six and be aware of this moment look at the clouds, the trees, birds. Look in the visor mirror and smile at yourself.
  4. Change the station on your radio (or electronic device) – avoid the news stations and listen to a station you don’t normally tune in to, try a comedy station, or listen to your favorite CD and sing along to an upbeat tune. Music is known to affect moods.
  5. If you are driving, ignore your text messages, voicemails, emails, or cell phone – who needs a fender bender to start their day, especially one of those days?
  6. If you have time to stop for a morning beverage or cinnamon roll, pay for a stranger’s beverage (the car behind you in the drive-through or the customer after you). You will have an instant lift in spirits, better than caffeine.
  7. When you arrive, park and turn off your ignition. Take another second, imagine being surrounded by light, and make a wish, a prayer, a Thank-you. Make it a wish or prayer for yourself and then make it for someone else.
  8. Look people in the eye as you pass, smile and say hello.
  9. Clean up your work space; make it as neat as possible before you dive into work.
  10. Drink extra water, after all we are made of 98% water.

And if you still can’t turn your day around, remember Author Glennon Melton says: “A good day is a good day. A bad day is a good story. At the end of the day it is all good.”