The end of your day is the time when you are spent and exhausted from all your worldly duties. Most of us have a hectic routine, where we’re working 8-10 hours a day and it often feels like time flies by. We’re too focused on work or pleasing the ones around us that we forget about our own peace of mind and contentment. Several days are better than the average one, whereas some make you feel like the unluckiest/most miserable person on the planet.
Believe it or not, the positive things happening in a day usually surpass the negative incidents. However, the awful moments have a greater impact than the good ones; hence, it seems like they are etched in your mind. No matter what regretful or upsetting events happen during the day, it is crucial to let them go before going to bed. Brooding over mistakes or reliving the worst parts of the day in your mind is a futile and unhealthy practice.
It is always possible to get over a bad day and end it with something good. The key is to suppress the negative train of thought and allow yourself to de-stress. When you end your day on a positive note, the beginning of the next day automatically becomes wholesome and delightful.
If the end of your day is spent fretting over the past or overworking your mind and body, you will eventually damage your mental and physical health beyond repair. This will deteriorate your performance and make you susceptible to slip and fall accidents. The end of your day needs to be relaxing so that your energy is replenished and your vitals are rejuvenated for the next day.
1. Keep a journal of positive things
It is easy to forget those fleeting moments throughout the day, which make us smile/laugh, experience pride, or feel grateful. Therefore, you must do something to preserve these positive instances and recall them when it seems that life is unrewarding or unfair. You can do this by keeping a daily journal where you record at least ten good things that happen to you each day; enlist the smallest things like discovering a new song that you like, getting the biggest slice of pizza, or having a beautiful stranger smile at you. When you take a look at all the nice things you were blessed with in a day, everything else will instinctively become insignificant and fade away.
2. Express your gratitude to peers and loved ones
Nothing warms your heart and soul more than a gesture of kindness or affection. When a person puts a smile on someone else’s face, their inner aura instantly blooms with positivity. If you ever feel bad about yourself or constantly sense that something is missing, just think about others. If you have family and friends who care about you, return the favor and tell them how much you appreciate their support. If you love someone, remind them every day. If you are an employer or someone who works hard for your benefit, let them know that you are thankful for their contribution. These minor gestures will make their day and boost your own mood as well.
3. Distract yourself with a good book/T.V show
Distracting oneself with some good reading or watching is a great way to alleviate stress, tension, and fatigue at the end of the day. Losing yourself in a story or world of fiction will help you forget the bitter parts of reality. You need some form of entertainment or amusement after a day’s work, so what could be better than indulging in the epic creations of authors and artists? However, limit yourself to a few chapters or episodes; otherwise, you will deprive yourself of much-needed sleep and the next day will begin before you end this one.
4. Take a relaxing bath or shower
Getting rid of all the microbes and grime accumulated over the day is something everyone needs before going to bed. When you soak in a warm bathtub in winters or expose yourself to a cool water shower in summers at the end of the day, it is indeed very comforting and refreshing. You not only cleanse yourself from the outside but also wash away the negativity weighing on your mind. Taking a shower or bathing shortly before bedtime helps beat insomnia.
5. Have a cathartic session
If you have a lot on your mind that makes you sad or angry, you definitely need to let it out by the end of the day. Bottling up grief and fury is no good because it will keep you awake and tensed all night. A cathartic session is exactly what you need to end your day on a positive note, so share your troubles with somebody who is willing to listen. If you’ve been polite and patient all day, you have earned to right to whine, rant, and complain a little. You shall feel a lot lighter once you’ve unleashed all your raging thoughts and emotions.
6. Light exercise
If several parts of your body feel sore or stiff at the end of the day, a little exercise can do wonders. Take a walk or go cycling outside to get some air and work those taut muscles. You should also do some stretches or yoga poses before bedtime. Exercise will eradicate the rigidity along your joints, and dissipate the negative energy inside you; as a result, you feel pleasantly spent, mindful, and eager to go to bed. Do not exert yourself with extreme cardio or heavy gym workouts at the end of the day; rigorous exercise is more suitable for the start of the day, followed by a nutritious breakfast.
7. Make yourself a soothing drink
You need a drink to calm your nerves and put you to sleep at the end of the day. Therefore, stay away from drinks containing caffeine, alcohol, or any other stimulant after sunset. Examples of soothing drinks that are safe to take before bed and help fall asleep include chamomile tea and warm milk with honey. If you prefer a cold drink, you may have a banana smoothie or cherry juice.
8. De-clutter
The act of cleaning or de-cluttering is very therapeutic for some reason, so completing a small household chore before bedtime is a good idea. Doing the dishes or organizing a messy closet will help you utilize the pent-up energy, which is the source of your anxiety or frustration. When you clean up a physical mess, the chaos in your head is dispelled miraculously. Tidy and organized surroundings are easy on the eyes and leave a positive effect on our minds.
9. Do something out of the ordinary
It is recommended to escape a boring and monotonous routine every once in a while or more frequently. If you’ve had an exceptionally challenging or disappointing day, give yourself the treat to end it on a happy note. Go out to party with your friends, watch a movie with your significant other, go on a long drive with your pet and a killer playlist, or pursue an old hobby that you rarely get time for. You could also make a gourmet dinner and invite a neighbor for company, volunteer for community service, embark on an impromptu shopping spree, or try playing a video game with your partner or child. Spontaneous behavior will divert your attention from the negative events of the day and uplift your spirits.
10. Put your phone in airplane mode
Last but not least, put your gadgets to sleep if you have forgotten what a peaceful night feels like. The end of the day is yours, so do not ruin it with notifications from work or mindless scrolling on social media. Smartphones are a leading cause of sleeplessness and depression among users of all ages. If you are determined to end your day on a positive note, put your phone on airplane mode and at least try a few of the things mentioned above.
Author – John Adams is a paralegal and lifestyle blogger who concentrates on health, fitness, personal injury law, and self-development. He encourages readers to fight for their rights and overcome obstacles holding them back. He believes that every person can improve the quality of his/her life by thinking positively and making better choices.