I saw the last daisy of summer in the yard today. It was all alone and collapsed in the mud, and I walked right past it. Something made me turn around, pluck it, and bring it inside. Daisies are my favorite, after all. How could I resist? I could see its face was drooping sadly, and its petals were wet and covered in muck. Yeah, daisy. Sigh, me too.
I know you’ve been there. Don’t we all feel a little “stuck in the muck” sometimes? It turns out that daisy was pretty resilient….and so are you!
So what did I learn from that daisy?
Here are three unbelievably simple things you can do, just like that daisy, to turn things around.
Lesson #1 Drink Some Water!
I brought that messy little daisy inside and straight to the kitchen sink. A small shower of cool, clean water and a refreshing drink was all it took to make that beautiful bloom perk up! Water worked wonders for that daisy, and it will work for you, too. When you feel stressed or just a little low, having a glass of water is a perfect brain booster. Think about it! Your brain is about 80% water and needs to stay adequately hydrated to function at its best.
Here are a few brain-boosting benefits of staying happily hydrated.
Drinking enough water:
- Improves cognition and memory
- Balances your mood and emotions
- Increase blood flow to your brain
- Relieves headaches
- Lowers stress
That’s right! IT LOWERS STRESS!
Having a drink of water when you’re feeling like your day is “just too much” will help to lower your cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone that powers your “fight or flight” instinct. While it is necessary, too much can negatively affect your body, brain, and emotions. That refillable bottle of delicious H2O won’t magically make your problems disappear. Still, it will help your brain work with you to triumph over your challenges.
Here’s a tip for building your hydration habit:
Think about something you do many times unconsciously throughout your day. Washing your hands, sitting down at your desk, or even picking up your phone can be a perfect time to add a new healthy habit. Keep your favorite water bottle full and close at hand and take a sip every single time. Make sure to celebrate so your brain knows that it should repeat it again and again! Smile, give yourself a high five, or say “ahh” and enjoy knowing you and your brain are BFFs.
Lesson #2 Take a Stretch Break
In addition to staying hydrated, another simple strategy is to stand up and stretch.
That droopy flower quickly started to straighten up in its vase and stretch toward the sunshine streaming in my window. That’s right, little daisy, I need to remember to take time to expand and straighten up, too.
You know that regular exercise has so many health benefits, but right now, you might not have the time or opportunity to get in an hour every day. If you do, that’s fantastic! Well done, you. But just five minutes of stretching is something you CAN do most any time, in any place.
I know what you are thinking…who has time for that? Well, here is a list of convincing reasons you will want to make time every day.
A few minutes of slow-paced stretching can:
- improve your mood
- relieve tension and body aches
- keep you feeling balanced
- counteract poor posture
- decrease the adverse affects of sitting at your computer
- help you to pause and stay in the moment
- prevent illness
- reduce stress
Yay! Sounds great, now how do you do it?
The best thing is that it doesn’t take a lot of time. Sure, getting in a full workout is great, but this fits into even your busiest day!
Think about your daily schedule and plan times when you can stand up, take some slow deep breaths, and move your body. You can even do this while chatting on the phone, during an online meeting or in your classroom. It’s a great way to start any activity with your students.
Before you begin, get expert advice on safe and effective techniques. To experience all the positives in a short amount of time, you should choose stretches that are just right for YOUR needs, but here are three suggestions to get your started.
- Neck
- Chest
- Piriformis (What’s that? It’s a muscle in your buttocks and it can cause all kinds of trouble if you have been sitting too much. Trust me, you want to be nice to your piriformis)
Make daily stretches a habit by adding it on to something you already do.Move slowly.
Take 3-5 slow, deep breaths and hold that yummy position.
Repeat as often as it feels good.
And then, smile, because you just did something lovely for your body, brain, and heart. Good for you!
Want to know the BEST lesson I learned from that daisy?
The simplest and most effective thing you can do when you feel overwhelmed by too much stress is to change your outlook. A daisy is, after all, quite cheerful!
Lesson #3 Be Optimistic!
I know that having a happy perspective seems easier said than done during challenging moments. Still, there are many benefits to being optimistic. Let’s take a look at some of these, and I will share some tips for how you can start making a difference today.
According to psychologist and author Martin Seligman, anyone can learn to be more optimistic. Optimism does not mean you put on a fake smile and pretend everything is rosy when it is not. It does mean that you have the power to choose your thoughts, emotions, and actions when things seem out of your control.
The truth is so much of what compounds daily to cause stress is out of your control. How you respond to those daily events is up to you. By choosing to look for the good, you can reduce the physical, mental, and emotional toll that stressors can take.
People who tend to be more optimistic refuse to get stuck in negative thoughts and look for the best in themselves and others. They see learning opportunities instead of mistakes.
In turn, optimists:
- Are more resilient
- Have better physical and emotional health
- Enjoy enhanced relationships
- Experience less stress
- Have more fulfilling careers
- Have a longer life span
Writing is a quick and valuable practice to help you reduce feelings of overwhelm.
To develop a more optimistic outlook, pay attention to the times when you feel stressed. Separate the events from your thinking and emotions. Write down just the facts and jot down many different options for how you want to think and feel in response. Stay with the positive and possible.
Another way to cultivate this mindset is to have a daily gratitude practice. You don’t need to wait until you feel overwhelmed to list the things that make you feel joyful.
The truth is we are all experiencing challenges in our daily lives as we work to find new ways to reach our goals, stay centered, and take care of others and ourselves. Luckily, you can quickly start these three simple habits that will help you be your best, even in turbulent times.
The truth is we are all experiencing change and challenges in our daily lives as we work to find new ways to reach our goals, stay centered, and take care of others and ourselves.
Luckily, you can quickly start these three simple habits that will help you be your best, even in turbulent times.
What are YOUR quick and easy habits for feeling better when you are overwhelmed?
I’d love to hear your ideas so leave a comment below!
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