Friday, August 16, 2019

Everything Is Awesome!

The daily grind. It’ll get to you—if you let it.

When your days feel like an endless loop of punch in, punch out, pay your taxes, get stuck in traffic, grit your teeth and bear it, it can be easy to lose sight of what makes life beautiful. And when you feel like you’re just coasting by, living life on autopilot, your mental health can suffer—and your work just becomes a chore.

5 Paths to a Brighter Outlook

1. Experience the great outdoors. We live in a beautiful country. From the breathtaking Rocky Mountains to the serene Atlantic coast, there’s beauty to be found all across Canada. When you need a quick boost, get outside whenever you can. Even a quick 10 minutes outdoors can work wonders for your mental health.

2. Treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. In the wise words of Detective Dale Cooper from the TV show Twin Peaks, “I’m going to let you in on a little secret: once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it; don’t wait for it; just let it happen. It could be a new shirt in a men’s store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black, coffee.”

3. Find meaning. What excites you? Gives you passion? Gets you up in the morning? Think about these things often throughout the day. Write them down somewhere you can see them and be reminded of them regularly.

4. Put yourself in time out. When’s the last time you’ve looked out the window and watched the world go by without checking your phone? Whether it’s the first few minutes of the day, before you go to bed, or during your lunch hour, take a minute or two to just sit and do nothing. In our hectic lives where we’re constantly connected, unplugging and simply sitting with your own thoughts can be the reset your mind and body needs and desperately craves.

5. Move it. You may spend your days at work on your feet and exercise regularly, but sometimes working out can feel like another thing on the checklist. Look for ways to incorporate joyful movement in your everyday routine. Dancing with your kids in the kitchen, quick stretch breaks, lunchtime walks, or playing a sport can all release endorphins and make you feel happier and less stressed.

Everything Is Awesome!

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