Feeling Low? 5 Ways to Start and End Your Day with a Smile

If you find yourself struggling to begin the day on a positive note, know that you are not alone. In the past year, there has been a significant increase in people reaching out to mental health centers due to distress, stress, and anxiety. The period of warfare, combined with stressful news headlines, has taken its toll and many find it difficult to wake up in the morning. We've collected five straightforward and research-backed methods to help you start the day with a smile and conclude it with genuine satisfaction.

1. You Are Responsible for What Enters Your Consciousness

You have a choice at every moment over what to consume, read, watch, and hear. While it seems socially accepted, you are under no obligation to listen to or read the news. Being bombarded with notifications or tuning into the radio at every hour to catch the news is unreasonable. If there's anything you need to know, you will hear about it.

Practical tip: Turn off all notifications on your phone right now.

Tip 2: Consume fulfilling, joyful, and positive content. Read beneficial articles, listen to uplifting songs, watch encouraging programs—anything that truly makes you happy. Unsure of what that is? Sit down and make a list. If "news" isn't included, simply don't consume it!

2. Start Your Day with a Goal - "End of Action Begins in Thought"

Begin your day with a plan of what you want to achieve with ideas of how to reach your goal. If you don't have a goal in mind, choose a small target, such as "2 liters of water a day," and focus on it. Achieving the goal will lead to satisfaction, which will naturally lift your mood.

How is this done? After setting the big goal, break it down into small tasks which makes the process easier. Instead of viewing the entire house as one big task, divide the tasks into rooms or even specific actions such as washing dishes or doing laundry. Achieving the large goal, even in small steps, will give you a sense of self-satisfaction and joy.

3. Keep Moving

Our sages say: 'All beginnings are difficult.' Indeed, beginning something new, particularly when feeling down, is hard. However, there is a well-known physics principle that states 'Things in motion tend to stay in motion.' This means that if you compel yourself to make a small action (a small movement), this will lead you to a sequence of additional actions. Start with something small, like washing dishes or folding laundry, and notice how quickly you feel ready to do more.

4. Positive Affirmations

Statements such as "I am in control of my time" and "I can accomplish small tasks" can boost motivation and help you believe in your ability to handle daily tasks. Positive self-talk is a key element in maintaining your energy and happiness throughout the day. Become aware of how you talk to the closest person to you—yourself! What is your general style of interaction? The way we speak directly influences our brain.

5. End Your Day with a List of Achievements and Gratitude

If you started the day by setting goals, it's beneficial to end it by writing down achievements. Sit down and note: "What have I done successfully today? What nice thing did I do for others today? How have I been better for the world today?" Every small thing counts and immediately boosts the mood. Incidentally, this is also a great tool for working with children on building self-confidence and maintaining their energy throughout the day.

The choice to start and end the day with a smile is in our hands. When we begin the morning with purpose and healthy content consumption, we can end it with a list of positive achievements. With a bit of effort and mindfulness, we can introduce bursts of energy and joy that will empower us to begin and end the day with a smile.

Do you have your own tips? Write to us in the comments.