8 great ways to turn a bad day around spring 2013

living with synergy

#Z $ISJTUJOB ,VOLMF 3/ CTA Certified Life and Wellness Coach

Eight Great Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around

I

had been cuddled up by the fire in my comfy leather chair since 5 a.m., sipping hot tea and watching snowflakes blanket the outside of my office window. At dawn, I opened the door to a dazzling foot of white powder, completely undisturbed by the first footprint, tire track or sled mark. “It’s like someone hit the do-over button,” I thought, as a fresh wave of inspiration

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washed over me. “Yesterday’s gone and today anything is possible!”

Not all mornings are so serene, however. Some start off in a string of disasters, don’t they? We ride life like a rollercoaster.

There are ups and downs … and some crashes, too! Over and over we’ve heard the phrase, “It’s not what happens to you, but

how you react to it.� But many of us are at a loss for practical ways to avoid ending up in panic mode.

The two good things about a bad moment are that (1) you can act from a powerful, centered place no matter what circumstances surround you, and (2) you can turn it around quickly if you find yourself in the middle of “crazy-town.�

Luckily, one moment does not have to be the stage for the entire day, or turn into a bad week, month or year.

Here are eight great confidence boosters to help you turn your next bad day around with grace, resilience and selfcomposure.

5. Bypass Blame. “The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours—it is an amazing journey—and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day that your life really begins.� (Bob Moawad). Often when we get frustrated with someone in our life, whether it be a colleague, a friend or a family member, we begin focusing on “what’s wrong,� or we use it as an excuse to point fingers. You can’t get a stone back after you’ve thrown it, or a word back after it’s said.

So avoid trying to make someone else wrong, and get on with what is yours to do.

1. Accept What Is. What you resist persists—and what you

6. Take Imperfect Action. Start by thinking of the smallest possible action you could take away from a bad situation—and then take it. It’s OK to make a mistake and turn around. Although small steps may seem trivial, if taken consistently they add up to big changes over time. A friend once joked that when nothing is going right, she just goes left. But whatever you do, take one simple step.

accept dissolves. I know it seems counter-intuitive to accept what is happening as if you agree with it, condone it, or are choosing to be stuck in the situation, but you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. When something stressful occurs, we want to fight back in resistance, saying, “This shouldn’t be happening.� Well, it is. The sooner you can say, “Even though I just had a bad moment, it’s over now and I let it go as best I can,� the quicker you can find a solution in the present moment.

2. Say “Thank You.� Yes, be grateful. God didn’t forget to wake you up this morning, so the cards are already stacked in your favor! Recent studies show that gratitude floods the body with well-being, calming our nervous system so we can make better decisions. As the CEO of your own health, it’s important that you look for the good in every situation. There are great things about each and every day, but if we let our circumstances take us down, we miss noticing them. With practice, it takes only a minute to “restart your day� with nothing but positive expectations for what’s to come.

3. Breathe to Thrive. When you’re thrown off course, step back and take a few slow, deep breaths. Think of something that makes you happy and relaxed: a place, a person or whatever brings you joy. Picture that in your mind as you inhale deeply, hold the breath for a second, and exhale slowly while “humming� out loud. This is “Breathing to Thrive� (instead of gasping to survive). It slows the cascade of “fight or flight� stress hormones, like cortisol, and triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin, calming the mind and relaxing the body. Place your hand on your heart and repeat this technique five times. You’ll love the calm energy this creates. Recent Heart Math research indicates that our environment and how we interact on a daily basis play a large role in whether we develop serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke, heart attack, diabetes and kidney failure.

4. Drop the Drama. I believe that things happen for us and not to us, and that we need not take them personally. For everything you’ve missed, you’ve gained something else. For everything you gain, you lose something else. Perhaps things go wrong so we can appreciate when they are right. Or maybe good things fall apart so better things can fall together. Whatever occurs is surely part of a bigger picture that we can’t see clearly yet. Invest your time and energy trusting that a power greater than yourself has your best interests at heart as you search for personal peace.

7. Nurture Growth Friends. Free yourself from crazymakers that feed your doubts and disbeliefs. Release yourself from what others think, and do what you need to do for your growth and development. It’s best to “grow with the flow�; in other words, stay closely connected to people who are open-minded and think clearly under pressure. They can help you reframe negativity as you stretch into the best version of yourself.

8. Replenish Reserves. As best you can, create a lifestyle that allows you to work hard, play hard and rest well. Preserve a sacred moment each day to renew your mind, body and spirit. At first glance it may seem impossible to fit anything else into your already busy schedule, but I assure you it’s much easier than you may think. This steers you toward balanced success and protects your health and relationships, so you can make the difference you are here to make in the world.

In closing, here’s some wise advice from Martin Luther King Jr.:

“If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk.

If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving!�

Every moment starts a new page in your story. Make it a great day! Q $ISJTUJOB ,VOLMF 3/ BOE $5" $FSUJGJFE -JGF and Wellness Coach, is founder of Synergy Life and Wellness Coaching, LLC, creator of UIF Ăœ4ZOFSHZ 4VDDFTT $JSDMFĂ? BOE Ăœ40"3 Ă? a Heart-Centered Leadership Development 1SPHSBN 4IF IFMQT CVTZ XPNFO QSFWFOU burnout by promoting bounce-back resilience to stay focused, positive and excited about the challenges of work and life. To learn more, visit her website at www. synergylifeandwellnesscoaching.com or call 540-746-5206.

Spring 2013

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