7 Surprising Pick-me-ups

A pick-me-up is something that makes you feel better instantly. It stimulates or restores, according to the dictionary. And this is something that we really need to counter the stress, challenges and even the ennui of our lives. 

Here are a few ways to take charge once again. 

1. Get Moving 

Exercise boosts the feel good hormones and a good workout stimulates both the body and the mind. Apart from the obvious and much touted benefits for your health, sweating it out helps build mental toughness and stimulate creative thinking. It could be your go-to option for overcoming that mental block or working around that niggling problem. 

2. Flow experiences 

Flow is the mental state of being completely immersed in an activity. The enhanced focus leads to a great degree of involvement, leading to a deep satisfaction and ultimately happiness. 

The activity could be playing a piece of music, being engrossed in gardening or climbing a mountain. What matters is that there is a complete involvement and the action seems nearly effortless. 

3. Create 
What we create is the output of our experiences and subconscious learnings. We read, watch and listen. These things provide the input. We write, analyze, play music, prepare a presentation. These activities are our output. Let the ratio be heavily in favour of the output. It would instantly make you feel better. 

4. Affirmations 

Affirmations are statements that help in practising positive thinking leading to a feeling of empowerment. They help focus your thoughts on what is good now and what can be good in the future. They also restructure your beliefs, especially the self damaging and self critical beliefs that pull you back from realizing your dreams. Affirmations help you feel better immediately by reminding you that you are in charge of your thoughts, mind and attitude. 

5. Be rhythmic 

Create a rhythm through dance steps, singing or playing the chorus, doodling the images and the words that rhyme. Create something with your hands, knit or crochet, sculpt or paint. Just get into the repetitive pattern of a beloved activity where you are at least mildly proficient. 

6. Breathe 
Breathe in, breath out. Just be. No doing, only being. In the moment. Sharpen all your senses and feel every little sensation. Bring your awareness to your body and watch your emotions. Accept. Every circumstance. And yourself. 

7. Accept the worst 

When stress bogs you down, think of the worst that could happen in a situation or in an interaction. Then accept it. Feel the disappointment and the fear. The dreaded consequences would not feel so fearful after all. From that position of no hope, think of ways you could move forward. It would bring you out of your paralysis and clear a way for your mind. 

What are the ways you use to reenergise yourself? Please share. 

Friday Listicles‘, are running into their second month. It is a weekly feature that professes our love for anything that is presented in a numbered or bulleted form, paving the way for a happy weekend.