5 Things You Should Do More Every Day
By Ellen Nguyen
1. Smile
Smiling has a tremendous uplifting power over your mood and subsequently your quality of life. Not only has this been confirmed by scientific research, which I’m sure you are already familiar with, but it’s also something I have personally been doing and gotten great results. What I do is simple: I smile at everyone I encounter, I smile at myself in the mirror, happily, genuinely, cheerfully. It helps me fight off stress and feel great inside and out.
So, trust me on this and smile more often. Smile whenever you can. Take it easy. Laugh. Make fun of yourself and enjoy every minute of this wonderful life. You will feel so much more positive, energized and even inspired. The best part is that people will instantly smile back at you and your day will naturally get easier. Plus, smiling makes you look way more attractive. Who knows someone cute might just have their heart stolen by your killer smile?
2. Be grateful
Being grateful is a key element of happiness as it helps you look at the positive side of life in any circumstance. Thanks to this, you will become more alert, more enthusiastic, more optimistic, more joyful. You will also be able to see the beauty in the ordinary, to appreciate simple things in life and subsequently have higher life satisfaction.
If you’re reading this, remember that you’re already part of the lucky population that has access to a computer and internet, which might seem like a basic thing but it’s actually still a luxury to many people out there. So be grateful. Grateful for the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the support you get from your friends, family, community around you, or even being born into this life. Know that there are many great things happening to you and keep your chin up.
3. Love
Love is an essential part of life. Love is powerful. Love is the most wonderful, humanly possible experience. Love could even set you free and be the fuel to your life engine if you open yourself to it.
Love today. Love yourself. Love the people around you. Love the things you do. Love the city you live in. Love your life. Give it all out, knowing you have unlimited capacity for it, to friends, to sisters, to parents, to strangers, or even random folks on the internet, just because it’s an amazing thing to do, not because you expect anything back.
Connect with the world and spread your love. Be courageous and touch hearts with all what you’ve got here. Turn love into a strength and a motivation. Fill your day with positive emotions and trust that you’re loved and cared about too. And before anything else, remember to love yourself first. Always. Everyday. Authentically, deeply, passionately.
4. Express your gratitude and love
Life can get hectic sometimes and we forget to express our feelings to others, or we might even assume that people already know. No. They don’t. They won’t know if you never say or do anything to show them. And even if they do, they would appreciate your telling them like you would appreciate their telling you that they care about you and love you, right?
Say thank you next time someone does something nice for you. Call your friends to tell them how much they mean to you or treat them to a meal. Visit your parents and remind them that you’re grateful for everything they have given you. Buy followers and give it to your mother for no occasion. Write a postcard and send it to the aunt you haven’t spoken to for a while. Drop a text message to let someone know you think about them, then maybe call to ask them out on a date. Or just simply be present and come when you’re needed. It might be a small gesture but it all means a lot.
5. Take risk
In everything we do, there is a risk. Risk is inevitable because life is unpredictable. But in a way, it’s also the best part. Taking risk is empowering and rewarding. It opens up new opportunities, pushes yourself forward and makes this journey of life worthwhile. If you don’t dare to take risk, you will never be able to get out of your comfort zone and get what you want. You will close your own door to many awesome things in life, or even a special someone.
Personally, I’m a big risk taker and it has worked out well for me, both professionally and romantically. What I always tell myself is that, well, what do I have to lose? Everything will end eventually, so I might just give it all a go to see where it leads me to. Who knows what will come out of it? Even if nothing will, the whole process of taking risk and trying it out is already thrilling and satisfying enough. At least I won’t have to wake up one day and regret not taking the chance. Also, maturity and wisdom is always a plus.
Finally, don’t forget to take good care of yourself. Without a good health, you wouldn’t be able to do any of these things, or anything at all for that matter.