Four Things You Can Do Today That Will Make You Feel Better Tomorrow

Summer has officially started and one of the best things about summer is the boost of energy warm weather and sunny days seem to bring! However, if you’re finding it difficult to get into the swing of positivity, here are four things you can do today that will make you feel better by tomorrow:

1.     Drink More Water

Drinking water has to be at the top of every list when it comes to feeling better. Medical News Today says, “Adult humans are 60 percent water, and our blood is 90 percent water.” Ultimately our human need for water is a biological necessity for life. However, staying properly hydrated also helps us to feel better. Multiple studies reported by Healthline showed that even mild dehydration impairs mood, memory, focus, concentration, and brain function! So, drink more water today to help you feel better tomorrow. If you’re struggling to drink enough water, eat it! As Nourish by WebMD says, “About 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods,” especially fruits, vegetables, and even fresh herbs.

2. Exercise

When it comes to exercise, sometimes you don’t even have to wait until the next day to experience the benefits! The CDC reports, “Some benefits of physical activity on brain health happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults.” Other effects of exercise include decreased feelings of depression, boost in energy, better sleep, higher libido, improved balance and coordination, and positive effect on heart, cholesterol, and blood pressure health. How much should you be exercising? Well, every body is different, but general studies report “30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.” That could be a 30-minute walk, bike ride, yoga session, or resistance training. Some exercise is better than no exercise, so the goal is whatever gets your body moving.

3. Resting Your Eyes

We look at screens almost all day every day—from our phone screen to our tablets, laptops, and televisions. A study in 2018 found “high energy blue light passes through the cornea and lens to the retina causing diseases such as dry eye, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, even stimulating the brain, inhibiting melatonin secretion, and enhancing adrenocortical hormone production, which will destroy the hormonal balance and directly affect sleep quality.” Prevent Blindness notes that some blue light is normal as it aids in our natural circadian rhythm–or the process of sleeping and waking. However, too much blue light exposure can lead to eyestrain and retina damage. There are many tools such as special blue light canceling glasses and screen filters that can reduce this blue light exposure, but a quick fix is to schedule time to step away from your devices and close your eyes for up to 10 minutes, allowing them to rest.

4. Laugh

When we spend all day handling the problems of the day, sometimes we can forget to enjoy life. Sometimes we just need to sit back and laugh. No really, the Mayo clinic says a good laugh helps to stimulate internal organs with oxygen, it relieves your stress response, and soothes muscle tension. In the long term, it can also improve your mood, relieve pain, and even improve your immune system. So after a long day, it’s good to kick back and relax with a funny movie, or a silly game night with your kids, or even a comedy show. Laughter is the best medicine, as the saying goes.

Summer is the perfect time to get into some positive habits that will benefit you now and in the long run.