Oh Happy Day!
Want
to wake up happy and go to bed smiling? All it takes is the right choices and
attitude. Your most positive day starts right here
“Before you step out, look in the
mirror and smile at yourself”
YOUR MORNING shapes the rest of your
day. So wake up earlier than your usual time, ideally snatch 20 minutes to half
an hour extra. Do not keep your alarm clock on the bedside table. Keep it a bit
away from the bed, so that you have to stretch to reach it. This will make sure
your body beats morning grogginess, and will also stimulate the waking part of
the brain. So you won’t feel listless.
Next up – a big hug. Researchers at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that the gentle
pressure of a hug can stimulate nerve endings under the skin that send calming
messages to the brain. This sets the endorphins (happy hormones) running and
prime you for bliss right away. But, even before you hug others, hug yourself –
both in form as well as spirit. Embrace everything that is good about yourself,
give yourself a pat on the back, and whisper words of encouragement. Now you
can embark on the day happy and motivated.
GET A HEAD START
Once you are up, instead of tea or
coffee, opt for a rehydrating drink. A cup of hot water with a touch of lemon
and honey is a better way to start the day than a forced wake-up with caffeine.
Then, sit someplace calm and
meditate. You’ll be amazed at how just a few minutes can help clear your mind
and give you high returns on the time invested. “I have been meditating for 10
years,” says Lisa Ray, actor and social activist. “The 10 minutes early in the
morning help me start my day well. This is the time when I focus my energies to
doing things well and list things that I should be grateful for in my life.”
Or your morning ritual can be like
Divya Vibha Sharma. A contemporary dancer based in Mumbai, Sharma starts her
day by watering her two plants while singing or listening to songs. “This puts
me in high spirits right away,” she says. Or, you could cuddle your pet, or
take them for a walk.
And whatever else you do or not do,
don’t miss your early morning date with the sun god. It’s proven that exposure
to direct sunlight early in the morning helps boost the mood on two counts:
one, it produces vitamin D in the body, which is a sure-fire mood-lifter, and
second, when the body is exposed to sunlight, the secretion of serotonin (a
neurotransmitter that boosts happiness) increases. The sages who advocated
surya namaskar sure knew what they were doing.
GET MOVING
A bit of morning exercise always
helps. “You don’t have to go for a long run, even stretches and brisk walking
around your building compound will get your metabolism going. That will kick in
the endorphins that give you a natural high. And as far as possible, do it
outdoors,” advises Nisha Varma, a Reebok master trainer. “Fresh air imparts an
enhanced sense of wellbeing, boosts physical, spiritual and emotional health;
and helps garner the benefits of exposure to sunlight.” Niharika Khan, national
award winner for styling The Dirty Picture, agrees. “My challenging CrossFit
workout in the morning readies me to take on the day on an optimistic note.”
And when you mix exercise with
music, the effect is even more potent. “I go for my morning walk with my
earphones plugged in and by the time I am back, I am happy as a bee,” shares
Delhi based Jasleen Royal, a musician, composer and singer of Panchi Hojavan.
Also sneak in a few stretches in the shower. The warm water will loosen up your
muscles, and stretching will help to release stored tension.
NIBBLE ON JOY
Eat a decent breakfast. It is
essential for replacing your liver glycogen, which helps you stay switchedon
throughout the day. Skip high-sugary breakfast cereals since they give you
instant energy, that wear off soon. Opt for foods that give slow, sustained
energy to keep your blood sugar stable. Eat some good quality protein (eggs,
dairy) and a source of complex carbohydrates (wholegrain breads, oats, barley).
Make sure you chew some nuts or seeds (sesame, flax etc) for good quality fats.
And before you step out, look in the
mirror and smile.
CRUISE TO WORK
Smelling peppermint and cinnamon
during a commute has been known to decrease fatigue. Also listen to upbeat
music while driving. “Music boosts brain power because it makes listeners feel
relaxed and stimulated at the same time,” explains Dr Ashima Puri, a consultant
psychologist. Or you can sing in your car. And sing loudly (with the windows
shut, please). It can be very uplifting. When stuck in traffic, plan your day,
think of that killer opening line for your next presentation, or do some
stretching. Do anything but fuss and cuss.
HAPPY AT WORK
The workplace can be a stress zone
but you can combat it easily. “Alter the energy of your surroundings – display
photos of friends, family, and places you love, your favourite artwork and
meaningful mementos,” suggests Puri. Make sure you stay hydrated. Both
air-conditioning and central heating systems can make you dehydrated, and no
one is happy when they’re dehydrated. Keep a bottle (one litre preferably)
filled with water on your table, with an aim to finish at least two. And don’t
grab a cup of coffee and a pastry and call it a meal. Everyone gets a lunch
hour. So take the break – you’ll come back more energised and in a better mood.
If you know that the day’s going to be tough, plug in some cedar wood aroma.
Its exhilarating scent will calm frazzled nerves. And do this stress-reducing
stretch: “Lock hands behind head, then gently push head down towards your chest
and hold for 15 seconds,” shares Varma. “When stress hits you, take a break:
log on to a website and spend five to 10 minutes calming yourself,” advises Dr
Sujata Sharma, clinical psychologist at Delhi’s Parivartan Centre for Mental
Health.
WINDING DOWN
Leave your work area tidy. It’ll
help you switch off mentally from work. Varma has good advice: “Try to fit in a
short walk before you begin your car/train/rickshaw journey home. Otherwise,
you are simply going from one seat to another.” Once home, quickly change out
of work clothes into something comfortable. It will help you transition to ‘me
time’. “Eat something to replenish your body like warm soup,” says Kavita
Ashok, a model and etiquette consultant.
And never go to bed without a proper
shower. It will cleanse you physically and mentally. Finally, crawl into a nice
warm bed and drift into deep sleep.
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