My morning was tough today. It was filled with running late and toddler tantrums. On my way to the office I found myself saying “Well, today is just not going to be the best day.” It caught me by surprise because it was barely 9 am and I have already predicted the outcome of the entire day.
We do that a lot as humans, having the mindset of “all-or-nothing” when it comes to our perspectives. However, it’s okay to admit that you are having a hard moment but not to continue to lean into the moment and let it control your perspective for the day. I believe in resets.
I am not saying it’s wrong to have bad days. I believe we need hard days in order to find value in days that go well. What I am saying is I find it important to not stay in a negative headspace for too long. This is where the power of resetting your perspective.
The concern with staying in a negative perspective is it can cause anxiety, depression, and stress in your life. Over a period of time, this can cause dissatisfaction with your life and possibly physical health issues. I do not know about you, but when I am in a negative headspace I feel it in my body. I feel it in my head, back, and stomach.
…So how do we reset our minds?
Some of the ways I like to reset is by deep breathing! Closing my eyes and taking a few deep breathes can be so calming because deep breathing forces you to pause for a moment. I also pray a lot, my faith is important to me and when I notice my thoughts being negative praying for a new perspective is helpful. The last two ways I try to challenge my perspective is writing a gratitude list. It is hard to continue to be in a negative perspective when you are writing a list of gratitude. Remember, they can be small things too, even as small as liking your cup of coffee! Lastly, notice your thoughts; you have zero control of the thoughts that pop in your head but you do have control over what you do with your thoughts. I encourage you when you start noticing that you are getting lost in your thoughts; take a break and go do something distracting. Go outside, talk to a friend, or drink a glass of cold water.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with having a hard day. We all have them! However, if you find yourself stuck in a negative perspective about the day and would like to challenge it, please try some of these tips! Remember you can reset your day as many times as you need!
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