8 lesser-known tricks to boost your well-being today

In my twenties, I was frequently lost and overwhelmed.

Still can be today.

I thought I had to mould myself to the world because the world seemed big and scary and had all the answers.

Turns out writing down my struggles and extracting the solutions from my surprisingly bright little mind helped. A lot.

Just like it will for you.

This is just one example of how there’s more we can do right here right now from a place of inner faith to bring us surprising benefits.

Let’s talk about some tricks that people rarely use, which will turn around your mood and bring long-term joy.

Create a little thing that improves other people’s lives.

Many of us fuss and fight, worrying about ourselves and our place in the world.

We’re completely oblivious to the fact others exist and need our help.

There’s much you can do today - from sharing an encouraging tweet to taking a small step to designing a small creativity workshop - that takes the burning light off you and out towards creating good in the world.

Even making the decision to help will shift your aura.

10-minute tidy.

Dedicating just ten minutes to tidying up will reduce stress and make you feel better.

Declutter. Clean the kitchen sink. Deal with the horrors lurking under your bed.

Small things create big benefits.

Spend a half day off the Internet and screens.

So many of us are burned out because of overexposure to these man-made things.

We say we’ve ‘cured boredom’ but brains are fried from the stimulation of online entertainment.

The trick to reclaiming a natural energy is to starve our senses of these things for a few hours a day.

Try this and watch your dopamine receptors grow back, filling your day with colour once more.

5-minute Transmutation Journaling.

Small habits like this one can make a profound difference.

While most people are grinding through the day on a foundation of cyclical worry and pent-up emotions, you found the release hatch.

Journal on your main problems or worries and write through to solutions.

You’ll be surprised at your ingenuity and the relief this brings.

The 4-7-8 breathing technique.

Breathe in for four seconds. Hold for seven seconds. And then breathe out for eight seconds. Repeat.

This simple exercise will slow your frenetic mind, bringing calm and creativity.

Morning sunlight exposure.

We’re not automatons. Just because technology is advancing doesn’t mean our needs as humans have changed that much at all.

Swap eating sugary cereal for a 10-15 min walk outside in the daylight at the very least (I know eh, you Canadians may struggle with this, but do what you can).

Sunlight exposure in the morning will boost your mood (Vitamin D anyone?) and regulate your circadian rhythm.

Do a whole bunch of nothing for 10 minutes.

Niksen is the Dutch art of literally doing nothing, with no sense of purpose, to reduce stress and increase productivity.

You can’t be ON all the time. Do nothing so you make something of yourself. Have fun with this.

Be overtly committed to unadulterated laziness.

Micro-workouts for a brain surge.

Who said you needed to go to the gym to benefit from the endorphin rush that comes from moving that lazy carcass of yours?

Do ten press-ups between writing sessions with a devilish glint in your eye.

How to boost your mood in the next five minutes? 15 squats ought to do it.

Relentless undistractability.

Ever notice all the distractions you allow to permeate into your work environment?

Try going fully distraction-free in whatever you’re doing.

Really indulge in the beauty of being present with your next task. No pings. No unannounced visits.

One task at a focking time.

Total, unmitigated presence makes any task fun.

Try it.

Much love,

Alex.

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