Dr. Barton Goldsmith: How to make your day better

• Don’t be so hard on yourself: It’s very easy to beat yourself up when you’ve just found out that you made a mistake, but we all make mistakes, and making them is the one way to really learn about life and what works for you. If you see the lesson and embrace it, your day will be better and so will your life.
• Get some fresh air: If you can take a walk or just sit in the sun, go for it. A breath of fresh air can help lower your anxiety or depression. Sometimes when we are upset, we hold our breath longer than we should, so remember to breathe in and out. It can help you relax and center yourself.
• Look for beauty right where you are: Sometimes it can be hard to take in the golden light of the sunset or a spectacular view, if you are feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps you can find simple beauty in a bird sitting on a branch. If nature isn’t readily accessible, consider going to an art museum or, for that matter, the mall or even a car lot — just to look! The smallest thing can bring a little light into your life.
• Accept the challenging day: If you can get a little perspective on what’s happening, you can tell yourself that you’ve had days like this before and things usually get better. Knowing that this is temporary will help you deal with whatever is going on.
• Call a friend who might need a little cheering up: Thinking of someone else helps to take your thoughts away from whatever is troubling you. For all kinds of reasons, talking to a friend is a positive thing to do. Sometimes others need cheering up, and taking time out from your day to do this will also make you feel better about yourself.
• Make one improvement in your home: Hang a picture (or just move one), pull some weeds, or fix something that’s broken. If you can’t do it alone, get some help. Talking to someone else for a bit will also make you feel better.
• Find a movie and watch it in the evening: It doesn’t matter if you go out or stay in. The idea is to give yourself something to look forward to, something that will help you pass the time and get you out of your own head and troubles at least for a little while. Hopefully, when you wake up the next day, you will see everything in a more positive light.

These are just a few ideas. Remember to try to get some perspective and go easy on yourself. If you keep feeling like you’re struggling, it may be wise to see someone to talk with about your life.