A 10 Minute Exercise to Improve Your Days
They say your life is made up of the things you do every day. So let's take 10 minutes out of your day today, to improve your days to come.
2/1/20262 min read
It can be difficult to break free from a bad day. Negativity seems to have a way of compounding once a day, seemingly, determines it will be bad. I want to share a simple tool that can help you in these moments. Whether you’re having “just one of those days” or you are working through something bigger, mapping your support network can be a simple and enlightening exercise.
The Exercise
The idea is to outline your support network and coping strategies. Or, put more simply, list the people you trust and love, and the day-to-day activities you enjoy doing. Then draw on this list when times get tough. Here are the steps:
List the people in your life that you feel truly comfortable being yourself around. The ones you feel you can call when you truly need support and who give you a sense of connection.
List the activities in your life that truly give you joy. This could be anything from listening to your favorite artist, to taking a trip.
Label the activities by the amount of time they take to complete. For example, taking a walk might be 10+ minutes, while exercising might take 20+ minutes.
When you are having a tough day, think back on, or glance over this list.
Connect with someone on your list, or choose an activity from your list to complete. Do this with intention.
Why It Works
Our days are made up of a group of experiences, both big and small. Having a list of people and things that boosts your mood can make it easier to pepper in positive experiences throughout your day without disrupting productivity. Whether it’s a comedy podcast during a grocery run or a quick “check-in” phone call, these small (or big) moments, done intentionally, can collectively raise your quality of life.
Completing this exercise can also be therapeutic on its own. It requires a bit of deep reflection and forces you to focus on the people and things that truly nourish you. It can be enlightening to concretize the things that make you happy. You might realize your inner circle is smaller or larger than you thought previously. Either way, it could elicit gratitude or a sense of purpose.
Too often, we let responsibilities relegate our self-care to zoning out in front of a screen. This exercise is one of intentionality that can provide more energy and a renewed interest in your daily routine. Remember, they say your life is made up of the things you do every day. So, I hope you will take 10 minutes today to intentionally integrate the things you love into your routine.