Self-care can seem complicated, especially when it comes to finding ways to insert positivity into a day that may not be going as well as you’d like. With a little attention though, you can turn even the most unpleasant day into something better through these simple acts of self-care.

Take Note of Every Success

Life can be hard, so whenever things go right, you want to pay attention. With every accomplishment or success, celebrate. It doesn’t matter how small the reward is. The point here is to take note of the accomplishment and to remind yourself of the positive experience you had because of what you said or did.

Be Present

How can you possibly experience self-care when you are distracted? By setting aside the electronics and giving yourself room to pay attention to be present to what you’re doing, you’ll reap more benefit from your self-care routine. You can post about it on social media later.

Upgrade Your Atmosphere

We all love when we’re in pleasant surroundings. Too often though, we discount our ability to change things. If we don’t have the money for a full remodel, or to create the perfect space, we close our eyes and try to ignore how the room makes us feel. By releasing the idea that you have to change everything at once, you can start to create the perfect space in small ways through adding items you love, decluttering the space you’re in, or treating your space to a new coat of paint. Over time, you will create the perfect room.

Treat Yourself Like a Child

When you were a child, you loved many things. There were certain toys you couldn’t wait to play with, or specific activities you found rewarding and fun. Revisit those now by adding play time to your self-care routine. Find a way to express your creativity through art. Play a game with your family or friends. You’ll be surprised how enjoyable this form of self-care is.

Create a Care Package

Sometimes it helps to create a box or basketful of self-care items you love. Put your favorite lotions, essential oils or bubble bath in a special place. Add to it a new book, some pictures of something beautiful, or whatever else helps give you a pick-me-up when you need one. Then, set this basket aside and use it as a special reward anytime you’re having a rough day.

While not every day is going to be perfect, being able to act on these tips can certainly help. The key is to pay attention to your mood, and when you feel things falling, to act immediately. Mindfulness and self-care truly are the keys to making any day better and brighter.

Dr. Debi
Founder, The PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute