5 Things You Need To Do Right Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

5 Things You Need To Do Right Now

You can thank me later.

35
5 Things You Need To Do Right Now
Huffington Post

Sometimes life can be rough, and it can be hard to figure out how to juggle every single one of your tasks without your entire world crashing down on you. Thankfully, you have the power to change your outlook on any situation, because you are in control of your emotions and reactions. I understand that you may be in a situation where you roll your eyes and think, "easier said than done," but before you go, just give these five simple steps a try:

1. Breathe

Taking deep breaths has been known to calm the body and reduce stress and high blood pressure. Deep breaths also help to release endorphins throughout your body, which will make you happy.

Try it: Close your eyes. Exhale all your breath first. Next, breathe in through your nose slowly while you count to five. Pause for two seconds, then slowly exhale. Repeat five to ten times.

2. Smile

Even if you're mad and you want to kill all the things, forcing yourself to smile can be incredibly beneficial for your health and mental wellness. No one quite knows why yet, but facial expressions can influence emotions.

Try it: Just give a smile. Even if you're frowning or angry or depressed, smile. You may be surprised at the results.

3. Compliment yourself

You deserve it! Complimenting yourself - and actually meaning it - can be one of the best things to do when you're down or stressed. Whether you gawk over your rad sense of style or read some of your favorite self-written poems and short stories, do something to love on yourself.

Try it: Every time you say or think something negative about yourself, force yourself to think of three positive things. And don't tell me that you can't think of any because you are an amazing human being and I know you have some good traits.

4. Stretch

There is so much beauty in the art of a good stretch. When you're stressed and overwhelmed, one simple fix may be to get up and do a few stretches, and you don't have to be a yoga artist to do this. Stretching loosens tight muscles in your body, which can relax and increase blood flow. It also releases those lovely endorphins to help you feel happy. Stretching also has a ton of other health benefits.

Try it: Get out of your seat and do a few of those stretches that we all know and love! If you don't really know which ones I'm talking about or don't know how to do a good stretch, watch this.

5. Accept the things you cannot change

I know that this one is a little heavier than the other four, but it is important nonetheless. Often times we hold on to things that we shouldn't; things that are already in the past or things that we cannot change but want to. These negative emotions and feelings will continue bogging you down until you let go.

Try it: Whether it's a bad grade, that person that stood you up, or something much bigger than yourself, just let go. Visualize those emotions floating off your heart as you detach yourself once and for all.


Life is tough, but you are tougher.

Breathe, smile, compliment yourself, stretch, and let go. You'll feel a whole lot better, I guarantee it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant

There's always chaos in the restaurant business.

216
10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant
Brisanis

Working in the restaurant industry is possibly the most fundamentally challenging occupation I have ever experienced when it comes to hospitality and customer service. When you go to a five-star restaurant you expect the time of your life, a two hour getaway, a walk through another time period (rustic Italy, France, Spain, etc), or simply a honeymoon undergo. What you don't see are the behind the scenes scut work: carrying trays, polishing glassware and silverware, kitchen chaos, the list is endless. Now, I'm not saying being a host, server, or bartender is the worst thing in the whole wide world, there are definitely worse things. But the fact of the matter is that it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. In the two years that I have spent in restaurant and customer service, I have spoken my share of expletives, yelled at kitchen staff, and dealt with not-so-happy guests. It isn't easy to keep a bright and shiny smile on your face when all you want to do is choke every person who walks near you. Anyone who has spent even two weeks working in a restaurant understands the rigor and stress that comes with it. Restaurant culture is a tiny world in and of itself that operates on its own principles and creates its own society. It even has its own language. The sayings "runner", "corner", and "on a bus" wouldn't make sense to anyone otherwise. My mother and I both work in a restaurant and the best advice I can give someone going out to eat is to treat us like people. Yes...believe it or not we are people, people. Say "please" and "thank you", or stack your cleared plates before a busser gets to the table. Trust me, the gesture goes a lot farther than you may think.

So, if you work in a restaurant, you can relate with the following points. If not, check out how the brain of a restaurant service (or any customer service) worker actually works. See if you can identify any crazy weird habits your friends have a tendency to partake in.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

11 Things I Learned My Freshman Year of College

Not everything you learn in college can be found in a textbook.

207
Breanna Vogel
Breanna Vogel

One of the scariest things we will ever face in our life is going to college. Many of us move away to a new town, join new organizations, and make new friends. We are expected to study, have a social life, relationships, maybe work, and be healthy. It seems pretty easy to do, and in high school all we wanted to do was graduate and move on to this next chapter of our lives. If you are in high school, here are some things that you can learn from before you get to college. If you have already been through your freshman year of college, hopefully you can relate to the things I have learned in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
how to get away with murder
Tumblr

It's about that time where we are too tired to do anything productive, too cold to leave bed, and too lazy to find a new show to watch so we result to re-runs.

For all of you home-bodies, for all of you cold weather haters, here are my suggestions for this holiday break. Let the binging begin!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

12 Long-Term Relationship Milestones

You've got a keeper if you've made it to any of these milestones.

637
couple on the beach
Pexels

You've been together for so long. It's great. And as the time spent in your relationship grows, you hit certain milestones where you know it's real. These can be make-or-break moments, or just little things where you finally realize that you're both doing it. Everybody hits these milestones, no matter how long it takes; they're inevitable.

You know you've made it when you hit these long-term relationship milestones.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Of The Best Shows To Binge Watch Over Winter Break

As the semester is coming to an end, most of us are going to have more free time on our hands. This calls for binge watching a new show on Netflix and really using this break to relax from the stress of school. Here are some of the best shows on Netflix that you should be watching.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments