by Deiondre Alexander

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

1.Pray/meditate

This gives you a moment to remove yourself from the action and connect with an inner sense of peace. It doesn't have to be long; just taking a few deep breaths of stillness will refresh your composure.

2.Acknowledge the great outdoors

Even if it's while you're taking out the trash, take a moment to look up and absorb the majesty of the world around you. I find that too often after frequenting a particular place, I tend to disregard my surroundings and look at the ground as I walk. It isn't a new sight, so I didn't look at it.

This gradually separates you from a great source of natural freedom, though, and it took me awhile to realize why I felt so smothered and cooped up - even trapped - when I got out as much as I did. We follow strict and hectic routines in these modern days, and your life can start feeling maddeningly repetitive and dull if you don't take the opportunity to notice what's going on around you, outside of your current. Don't become trapped in your own routine. Take every opportunity to create windows in the tapestry of your setting.

3.Journal

This practice may be more for those who are already writers, and who like writing. Writers often discover they can think much more clearly when they write, that things make more sense after they are written down. But even if you aren't much with words, journaling presents a chance to reflect not only as you are writing, but also on past entries. You can see how you've changed, how you've improved, and reinforce feelings from times that you otherwise could not recall with such clarity. Even as a writer, it took me awhile to warm up to journaling but it was because I was recording things that I did, things that happened, and it quickly became repetitive, boring, and pointless. Only when I tried a different approach and began focusing more on feelings, ideas, and beliefs did it become a truly eye-opening and gratifying experience.

4.Drink green tea

If the taste agrees with you, it is quick, relaxing, and healthy.

5.Exercise

Even if you only have time to get your heart pumping, you will feel more stimulated than if you did nothing at all.

6.Do a good deed

If you don't have time for anything very significant, try small things throughout the day as they present themselves to you.

7.Smile at yourself in the mirror

It's nice to see yourself smiling. Smiling naturally releases feel-good hormones, and will give you a psychological jumpstart when executed in this fashion.

8.Smile at/greet strangers

It makes you feel friendly (is self-gratifying), brightens the days of others' (can be considered a good deed'), and satisfies the need for interaction when your schedule presents those intervals of lone time. Humans are social creatures, and need a certain amount of socialization to maintain a civilized level of sanity.

9.Do something creative

It stimulates your satisfaction of expression. It gives you that chance to be a god that we all secretly crave.

10.Count your blessings (literally)

Make a list.
Write down everything that you are thankful for (or that you should be thankful for; we all take things for granted even knowing how lucky we are), as well as every action that someone took for your sake. It will better your perspective of your life.

Learn more about this author, Deiondre Alexander.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.