How to Have a Better Week PART 1
At first I was going to put this into one post, I had a nice list of about 10 things to help get you through a bad week. But the list grew and I wanted to keep this an easy read, not a “fuck this is long and I’ll never read it” read. I let my list grow and decided to do installments of five every week until I am done, which means it could be next week or next month before I am done. I have had a few really challenging week, actually they sucked, I wish I had lived by this list two weeks ago.
Before I get too side tracked, here is my first installment.
Some weeks are great, some weeks are hard, and then there are those weeks that are just down right shitty. Those weeks that are as bad as they seem and no matter how hard you try to be optimistic, its just shit. Sometimes we rely on our friends to pick us up and sometimes we pull ourselves inwards and try to get out of it on our own. There is no right way to get out of those ruts, but here is some good things try. They may or may not get you out of your rut but they will make you feel better, even if it’s just for a minute.
#1 Eat A Cupcake And Enjoy It
YES!!!!!!! Eat a cupcake, I am sure I could find research or better yet, I could do the research to prove that eating cupcakes can make for a better mood. But since I don’t have the research yet, go out and buy yourself a large cupcake with maximal frosting. Whatever flavor best suits your mood, indulge. And I don’t mean sneak into the bathroom and inhale it while you are pretending to pee. Demand 10 minutes from yourself and everyone around you. Sit quietly and take a deep breath and slowly eat your cupcake. Weather you want to start from the top and work your way down (no thank you) or you want to eat the cake part and save the thick layer of frosting (yes please). Give yourself the pleasure of enjoying something that is saved for birthdays. Sometimes a little celebration can go a long way.
#2 Dance
When I say dance, I mean pull the shades down and dance where no one is watching. Put on some sexy music and just move. Don't plan out your dance moves or wait for the perfect beat to drop, just move. I find a dance party can cure just about any bad mood. I could stay up all night dancing. There is something freeing about the ease and enjoyment of dancing. But that might have something to do with my life long dream of being a professional back up dancer.
#3 Get Outside For An Hour
There is so much good that can come from being outside for an hour. Being outside gives time to absorb vitamin D, breath in fresh air and see the world around you. It can also help you sleep better. I love to get outside and walk. Sometimes I go with a friend, sometimes I make important phone calls and sometimes I just walk. Most days it seems easy to spend time outside but on those bad days, I try to take some extra time outside. I teach and train outside a few times a week and all the seasons have unique beauty and benefits. The sun rising in the winter, the leaves in the fall, the blooming in the spring and all the green and life everywhere in the summer. Spending time outside is such a great balance to all the time we spend inside.
#4 Look Up At The Moon
I really don’t know what it is about the moon, but when I look up at it I just feel at peace. There is something magical about taking a moment in the evening to just look up at the moon and the stars and the greatness that is outside of our lives. I try to spend a minute or two looking up, finding the moon which is sometimes hiding behind the clouds. I don’t do this every night, but every time I do, it just has a way of centering me. I love watching it move across the sky and I love that every night it is a different size and every full moon has it’s own name, signifying a purpose, the November Full Moon is the Beaver Moon because it is the time to set traps before the water freezes.
#5Give Yourself A Hug
Somedays you might be the only one to give you a hug, so do it. Every class I teach, we end class by giving ourselves a hug. It was something I started a long time ago. The more I did it, the more I realized how important it is to take a moment to not only love yourself but also to receive a hug. It doesn’t take very long and it’s pretty easy to do. And if you're feeling a little spicy you can always grope yourself a little, wait that might be crossing the line to something else.