Sometimes an attitude problem can be the result of you just not feeling your best. When that’s the case, there are ways that self-care can help to improve your attitude.
It doesn’t take much of an attitude adjustment to turn your bad day into a better one. As the popular saying goes “attitudes are contagious”, so it's best to do everything you can to keep yours as positive as possible. That way when you are around your friends, family, and coworkers you can help turn their bad days around with your positive outlook.
Here are 7 self-care tips you can use to improve your attitude:
Tip #1
Get Enough Sleep
Set your alarm to go off about an hour before you need to get into bed.
Turn off all electronics, turn down the lights.
Set the thermostat to a cooler temperature - about 18C to 20C is great for sleeping.
Avoid eating too late.
If it helps you to calm down get in the bed with a good book.
Getting a full night sleep is vital to waking up in a good mood. You will feel energetic and much more willing to start out your day with a positive attitude.
Tip #2
Eat Healthy and Exercise
Getting adequate exercise is known to release endorphins to the brain. Endorphins are hormones that are responsible for making you feel happy. Pair exercise with a healthy meal to get the best results possible. Not only will your attitude improve but your self-confidence will too.
Tip #3
Drink Enough Water
Dehydration is responsible for headaches, dry skin, fatigue, and dizziness. These symptoms can cause you act in a negative manner if you feel overwhelmed.
The standard rule of thumb is to drink either half your body weight in ounces in water, or try to drink 8 glasses or 64 ounces of water a day. Remembering eating raw veggies and fruit is also hydrating.
Tip #4
Take Frequent Breaks
Don't pass on those ten-minute work breaks, especially if you're sitting at a desk all day. Chances are you won't get paid for them anyway and you really are doing yourself a disservice.
Use your break-time to relax and focus on something else that makes you laugh or just sit down and breathe. If you work for yourself, schedule in 10 to 15-minute breaks at least every four hours. Taking short 5-minute breaks every half-hour to and hour is even better so you can get up and move around a bit.
Tip #5
Ask for Help When You Need It
Asking for help can be challenging for some people but you should never be afraid to ask.
Ask your friends and family to help you out every now and then to relieve some pressure off everyday tasks. More than likely they will be happy to help.
If you are finding it hard to take care of yourself don't be afraid to ask a professional either. This is especially important if you're feeling like you have mental health issues. We don't talk about it enough, and it's one of the most important areas of self-care.
Tip #6
Learn to Say No
If you are overwhelmed, too busy, or just don’t want to do something saying no is perfectly fine. Give yourself permission.
Taking on too much work or doing things you don't want to do leads to poor quality work and some unhappy people. Don’t do that to yourself. If you keep everything scheduled you can easily look at your calendar and say “No, that date doesn’t work for me”.
Tip #7
Take Time to Relax
Take time out each day and relax. Get away from people, meditate a little, or go get a massage, some coffee, or a cup of tea. Your time to decompress is important to a good attitude.
Always remember that for self-care to work for you, it has to meet your own individual needs. Take what works for you from this list, and put it to work for you. When you feel good, your attitude will be better than if you’re tired and overworked.
This is Part 4 of a 10-part series on Taking Care of Yourself
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