UNPALATABLE events seem to be an inevitable part of life. Stress is such a big factor that affects everything, most especially our health. Sometimes, it’s not the load itself that breaks us down, but the way we carry it. How we choose to react and our attitude spells the difference. We cannot allow these negative feelings to compound and potentially escalate into something that can threaten our sanity and health. It essential to have a reprieve from the crazy demands of this sometimes cruel world. Everybody needs a pick-me-up on a rainy day. It is good for the soul!
Mood Boosts
Fortunately, mood boosts don’t have to be expensive. We can get a simple manicure and pedicure or massage to help us relax. Lighting a candle and soaking in the tub is free. A walk around the neighborhood also costs nothing. Exercise is known to release endorphins which make us happy. Moreover, we can also get that feel-good emotion with our simple cup of coffee shared with our best friend. Rainy days may be an inevitable part of life, but there are sure fire ways to counter them. Sadly, some rainy days fall into the category of super typhoons. Thus, it is best to be prepared so that we can still make our own sunshine, no matter what the weather is like. How can we prepare for big emergencies?
Prepare your spirit
It is essential to always care for our spirit. All of us have different beliefs: Allah, Buddha, God, and the like. Others may not believe in anything, and for that there’s yoga. Whatever higher power each one believes in, we have to ensure that we find ways to connect to it to help nourish our souls. Personally, I always start and end my day in prayer. I believe each one of us can only face problems if we are spiritually sound and strong.
Pay yourself first
Mondays are rough! People have the toughest time getting up on this day. Work after two days off just sounds dreadful, but we all have to buck up and do it. Work means a paycheck. But the irony is, for most of the working population, most of that check goes into paying bills. In budgeting, let us not forget to pay ourselves first. Set a portion of our salaries for savings, investments, and insurance policies. There are many ways to grow our hard earned money--stocks, UITFs, mutual funds, securities, and the like. Finance newbies may feel comfortable speaking with a financial adviser. There are also many books and articles available online for self-study. The end goal here is for everyone to be “Financially Savvy” so we can all have an emergency fund.
Invest in you
The best investment we can all make is on ourselves! Exercise is one of the best ways to show it because health is wealth. Learning a new language or a new skill can also open up new career opportunities. At times, learning something new can even ignite a person’s passion, which may help make a difference in this world. There are new hobbies to explore, new things try out, and new experiences to encounter. Moreover, learning something new will help keep our minds alert, our bodies active, and/or our attention occupied. We always have to be open to learning and improving ourselves because we are all works in progress.
Spend time with people
Save the best for last! Money won’t take care of us when we become sick. Money won’t keep us company at night. It won't lift us up when we are down and out. Sure it is nice to cry in a BMW as opposed to doing it on a bike; but, hello, it can’t comfort us. Retail therapy can only do so much! In the end, we need people. So stay connected to the ones that matter! Harsh as it may sound, but in the grand scheme of things, we will all die. Our legacy is not in material things but in people we leave behind. Our memories will only live on through the lives of the people we have touched. Thus, "Touch" as many as possible while there’s still time!