11 Small actions to get better instantly

Simple actions that will help you get better in seconds.

“Doing the right thing makes me feel better. Doing the wrong thing makes me feel worse. This is my religion. "

Abraham Lincoln.

Whether it's the upcoming exams or the bad news we hear from the media every day, it's no surprise that we're continually tense, nervous and stressed.

Every day we are bombarded with more or less subliminal messages that delude us that by doing certain actions (food, alcohol, cigarettes, shopping, etc.) we could enjoy an easy and immediate pleasure and thus alleviate our discomfort.

Well, I have already said mine on the relationship between pleasure and happiness, yet I am convinced that there are actions capable of make us feel better almost instantly and what's more, they are simple, immediate and free actions.

Today we are not talking about the “maximum systems”, but let's go back to the basics of GetPersonalGrowth: practical actions for your personal growth. Here are 11 to start with:

1. Wash your face with cold water. When the situation gets tough, when you believe that there are no more ways out, when stress takes over your every thought, unplug for 5 seconds: run frozen water from the tap and bring it to your face with the hands. Washing your face with cold water has an immediate relaxing and invigorating effect.
2. Change your socks. Would you have ever thought that such a trivial action can have incredible benefits? Seeing is believing. Especially on days when you are often on your feet, perhaps particularly hot days, bring a change of clean and washed socks. If you have the chance, go to the bathroom and make the change: pure pleasure.
3. Make a phone call to someone you care about. In the previous article we saw how a simple 3-minute action can help you change your mood. Talking to someone you care about can have the same effect.
4. Take a mindful walk. There are times when the tension becomes really unbearable, in these moments the best choice to make is to go out and take a walk outdoors. But don't ruin your walk by tormenting yourself with negative thoughts and worries; rather walk consciously: focus on the contact of your feet with the ground, observe your breathing and the environment around you.
5. Listen to your favorite music. In an old article I proposed you a playlist for your perfect day; music can be a wonderful tool when we try to get better. Use it.
6. Watch a video that inspires you. In addition to music, if there is anything that really inspires me, it is certain videos. Whenever I find a really nice one, I share it on the GetPersonalGrowth Facebook page; try to see if you find any you like.
7. Read something that loads you. Whenever I write a blog article I always hope that after reading it you will be inspired and motivated. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes less, I still remain of the opinion that the written word can be extremely powerful. Try taking a look at the GetPersonalGrowth Archive and see if the title of any article particularly appeals to you.
8. Breathe. We often underestimate the immense power of what is perhaps the simplest and most common action we perform throughout the day: breathing. In reality, returning to focus on our breathing and, above all, doing it correctly can be an extremely powerful weapon at our disposal. If you have no idea what he is talking about, try these 3 breathing techniques.
9. Complete an activity. You know what I think about procrastination, I have written numerous articles about it and even an entire guide to stop procrastination; But the point is, we're not always aware of how damaging it can be to deal with dozens of postponed and unfinished tasks. Having to make an analogy, these activities are like computer programs: the more we start, without ever closing one, the slower the whole system slows down. Start closing some "program". Now.
10. Make a list of the things you are grateful for. I will never tire of repeating to you how powerful the feeling of gratitude can be. All you have to do to try it daily is… remember what you can and should be grateful for. Don't miss this opportunity to feel better.
11. Help someone selflessly. Americans, who always need to use an abbreviation for everything, call them Random Act of Kindness (RAK), which among us also sounds bad: “what are you doing ?! Nah… nothing, I'm having a RAKkia… ”;-), yet helping someone in a selfless way is more powerful than any chemical and makes us feel better instantly. You do not believe me? Trial.

Lately I have tried not to exaggerate too much with the "list articles", they do a lot ... "American minkiatine of self-help", yet I only ask you to try at least one of these actions, without prejudice.