Make Tomorrow the Best Day of Your Life

Life is short, so we all want to make the most out of every day that we have. But that can sometimes be difficult when you're busy with work, school, and other responsibilities. If you want to seize the moment, start tomorrow by learning how to make it the best day of your life.

Steps

Taking Care of Yourself

  1. Get a good night’s sleep. You can’t have your best day if you’re tired and irritable, so you want to be well-rested. You may want to get into bed early in case you have trouble falling asleep.[1]
    • Children between the ages of 6 and 13 should aim for 9 to 11 hours of sleep.[2]
    • Teenagers typically need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep.[2]
    • Adults usually require 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.[2]
    • To ensure some quality sleep, try lowering your lights about two hours before you plan to go to bed to get your body ready for rest.[3]
    • You may want to stop watching TV or playing around online approximately an hour before you plan to go to sleep to give your brain time to calm down.[3]
  2. Wake up early. The earlier that you start your day, the more time that you have to make it positive and happy. Even getting up 10 or 15 minutes earlier may give you more time in the morning, so you don't feel as rushed or stressed as you begin the day.[4]
    • If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, try setting your alarm 10 minutes before you actually want to get up. That will give you a little time to lie in bed and let your mind and body get ready to face the day.
  3. Visualize your good day. It may sound silly, but taking a few minutes to picture the good things that you hope will happen during the day in your head can help improve your mood and get you started on the right foot. You can do it before you get out of bed or in a comfortable chair where you can close your eyes and allow the vision to come together. Be as detailed as possible, and keep your thoughts positive.[5]
    • You start your visualization with something as basic as how delicious your breakfast will be and move onto what route you'll take to work or school, how well the presentation you have scheduled will go until you reach the end of your day.
    • While you're visualizing your day, feel free to imagine even further into the future to the rest of the week, month, or even year. That will help establish a lasting sense of positivity for your life.
    • Listening to your favorite inspirational song as you visualize your day may help really bring the image to life.[6]
  4. Eat a healthy breakfast. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you want to ensure that you have your best day ever you need proper fuel. A healthy breakfast should be well-balanced, and may contain fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and/or low-fat dairy. Start your day off right by having a tasty, nutritious breakfast. [7]
    • If you’re worried about not having enough time to prepare your breakfast in the morning, you might want to make it the night before.
    • Some breakfast options you might consider include an egg white omelet with veggies, a fruit smoothie with yogurt and wheat germ, oatmeal with nuts and cranberries, whole wheat waffles with peanut butter, multigrain pancakes with fruit and yogurt, and a tortilla with eggs, salsa, veggies, and low-fat cheese.[8]
  5. Fit in a workout. We all know that exercise is good for us for a variety of health reasons, but it can also improve your mood. That’s because it releases endorphins, which are neurochemicals that serve as natural painkillers and can bring about feelings of euphoria and well-being. If you want to have your best day ever, it helps to start with an endorphin rush. [9]
    • Aim for at least 10 to 30 minutes of exercise for the biggest mood boost.[10]
    • Running is usually the best workout when you’re trying for an endorphin rush, but a brisk walk or bike ride is a good alternative if you’re not a runner. Weight training also works well when you’re looking to release endorphins.[10]
  6. Take care with your appearance. In many cases, if you look good, you’ll feel good, so if you want to have your best day ever, you may want to consider your appearance. Wear your favorite shirt, do your hair in your favorite style, or take the time to do your makeup -- whatever makes you feel most confident about the way you look.[4]

Taking It Easy

  1. Take the day off. You’re probably more likely to enjoy your day if you’re allowed to make your own schedule, particularly if you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, so when it’s possible, postpone any appointments, chores, or other commitments for another day. When you know the entire day is yours to plan as you wish, it’s already off to a great start.[4]
  2. Lighten your schedule. If it’s not possible to take an entire day for yourself, try to cut back on the number of must-do activities on your list. Doing a few less chores or tasks can help reduce your stress, so you’re in a better mood. Evaluate your schedule and only commit to doing the most important tasks.[11]
  3. Spend time with your loved ones. You’re always going to have a better day when you’re around people who make you happy, so seek out family and friends who are important to you and find a way to spend quality time with them.[11]
    • Don’t just watch TV with your loved ones; find meaningful activities that you’ll all enjoy.
    • Sharing a meal and good conversation is a simple but effective way to bond with family and friends.
    • Finding an activity where you have to work together, such as doing a puzzle or baking cookies, can be a fun way to spend time with your loved one.
  4. Listen to upbeat music. The right song can definitely help boost your mood, so pick your favorite tunes and turn up the volume. If you have to work or do chores, listening to good music can be especially helpful in improving your day.[11]Music
    • If you’re a big music fan, consider going to see some live music played. Karaoke is a great option if you enjoy singing yourself.
    • Dancing to your favorite music is another effective way to boost your mood, so you may want to bust a move too -- even if it’s just alone in your room.
  5. Treat yourself. You can help reduce stress and ensure a great day by taking the time to pamper or indulge yourself. That can mean something as simple as taking a nap or something elaborate like going bungee jumping if you’ve always wanted to. Devote at least part of the day to yourself.[4]
    • If you need a little pampering, a visit to a spa is a great idea. Get a massage or facial, and just allow yourself to relax. If you’re on a budget, you can do a spa day at home or just take a relaxing bath to help yourself unwind.
    • If you like to shop, visit the mall and treat yourself to something to that you’ve been wanting for a while, such as new clothes, books, or video games.
    • If you have a favorite activity that you don’t get to participate in too often, make plans to do it. Schedule a round of golf, play laser tag, or go horseback riding.
  6. Enjoy nature. Beautiful natural scenery can help you feel more happy, so go outside and look for ways to enjoy your surroundings. You might wake up early enough to enjoy the sunrise or go outside in the evening to take in the sunset. Let the sights and sounds of nature invigorate you.[4]
    • Let the season dictate how you interact with nature. In mild weather, you might take a hike on a local trail with striking views. In summer, you might hit a nearby beach to take a swim. In the winter, take a brisk walk to watch the snow fall.

Being Productive

  1. Make a to-do list. If your idea of the best day ever means getting as much done as possible, it helps to have an idea of all the tasks that you want to accomplish. You don’t necessarily need to check off every entry on the list, but the more you’re able to cross off, the more inspired you’ll be to complete it.
    • When it comes to making a list, think quality, not quantity. Don’t overload the list with a ton of tasks that you know you can’t possibly complete in one day. Instead, focus on a few key projects -- three or four is a good number to start with.[11]
    • Prioritize your list by ranking the to-do tasks in order of most important to least important. That way, if you run out of time, you’ll have accomplished the most crucial tasks so you can feel really good about yourself.
  2. Get one important task done. Sometimes, even staring at a to-do list with only a few items on it can be overwhelming. Instead of becoming paralyzed by the feeling that you can’t possibly finish everything on the list, make sure that you get one key chore or project done. You’ll feel so much better about yourself and your day if you’ve finished the most pressing task on your agenda.[11]
    • Pick your one task with great care. The more important it is to your life, whether it’s a project that might to lead to promotion at work, an application for a college or school that you really want to go to, or the outline for a novel you hope to write, the more satisfied you’ll feel at the end of the day.
  3. Get rid of clutter. This may seem like a silly thing when you’re thinking of having the best day possible, but getting rid of an unnecessary mess somewhere in your home or room can help boost your mood and make you more productive when it’s time to work. Start with visible clutter that you see regularly, instead of a messy closet, to help reduce your stress.[11]
    • You don’t have to take on a large decluttering project. Even if you start by cleaning off the top of your desk or a shelf on your bookcase, you’ll still feel the benefits.

Tips

  • Think positively. Your attitude can make a big difference in the kind of day that you have, so if you believe you’re going to have a great day, you’re halfway there.
  • Stay in the moment. Avoid worrying about what happened in the past and what might happen in the future, and instead focus on the present. That will help you be better able to appreciate the good things that are currently happening in your life.
  • Enjoy the little things. Having the best day ever doesn’t mean you have to do something extravagant, such as take a fancy trip or go skydiving. Taking time to listen to the birds sing outside your home or savoring a piece of chocolate can help make your day great.

Warnings

  • Avoid negative people. If you have someone in your life who’s always trying to rain on your parade, it’s best to avoid them when you’re trying to have a good day. Surround yourself with people who are positive and encourage you to see the bright side.
  • Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have the best day ever. You’ll only wind up stressing yourself out, and ruining the positive mood you’re trying to establish.

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Source and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20445804,00.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://time.com/3691992/sleep-hours-recommendations/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20621983_3,00.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 http://www.dumblittleman.com/2010/02/50-ways-you-can-create-better-day.html
  5. ↑ http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2008/10/17/how-to-build-a-great-day/
  6. ↑ http://www.chriswinfield.com/best-day-ever/
  7. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/food-and-nutrition/art-20048294
  8. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/food-and-nutrition/art-20048294?pg=2
  9. ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/13/health/endorphins-exercise-cause-happiness/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://www.exercise.com/faq/how-much-exercise-is-necessary-for-endorphin-release
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 http://zenhabits.net/10-simple-sure-fire-ways-to-make-today-your-best-day-ever/

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