5 Quick Ways to Make Yourself Feel Better Right Now

Small but mighty self care techniques with stuff you already have at home.

Are you at wits end today? We’ve all been there.

These days, whenever we need something quick fix, we confide in the internet for a way to ease our minds. Although, solutions that come up don’t always land in a way that helps right now. In fact, some are downright tone deaf.

Vacation? Not everyone has the luxury to drop everything whenever we're sick of working.

Unplug? People have kids, a business, or other priorities they have to be on call for.

Here are 5 small but effective ways to make you feel better -even if it’s just a little bit. It requires no skill. Just a few moments of your time.

And at the very least, you can say you accomplished one thing today.

First, some guidelines

Let’s avoid unnecessary snacking. Sometimes treats can make you feel even worse, either from a stomach ache or guilt for consuming empty calories.

No appointment required. A trip to the spa or salon requires leaving the house, waiting in line and spending money. If you’re busy, you likely have no time to go when those places are actually open anyway… and we’re trying to feel better now.

No decision making necessary. If you’re overwhelmed, making choices is just another chore for you. We’re going to cover some things that have a one-track objective.

Refrain from retail therapy. Nearly 70% of Americans admit to emotional spending.  Looking to that as a source of relief could only lead to more stress later. The more you have, the more you have to take care of. That’s not the objective here. We’re looking for remedies that won’t make matters worse.

DISCLAIMER: Anything advised is through recommendations from a professional but does not substitute for actual medical advice. If you have severe depression, anxiety, etc., this isn’t designed to be a cure or viable treatment option in lieu of healthcare.

Any suggestions provided are from the limited perspective of a fellow busy lady who tends to neglect these things herself.

Alright, now that we’ve established those boundaries to this list, let’s dig into the small but mighty ways you can boost your mood with minimal effort.

Take a Deep Breath

Shortness of breath is part of our embedded survival instincts. Steady breathing tells your brain that you're not in mortal danger

To steady your breathing, follow these steps:

• Breathe in slowly through your nose and into your belly for 4 seconds.

• Hold your breath for another 4 seconds.

• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds until all the air has left your lungs.

• Pause for 4 seconds before taking the next breath.

• Repeat until you feel relaxed.

Drink some water

Put down the coffee. Put the booze away.

If you’re bad about not drinking enough water, it’s no wonder you’re feeling like garbage! Your body needs water to run properly. Neglecting your water intake is like neglecting putting motor oil in your car. 

You know how a car sounds and runs when the oil tank is bone dry? Like agony, right? Now imagine that as your body without water.

Yes, there’s water in coffee and in alcoholic drinks. And a whole lotta extra stuff in there that outweighs the benefits of the OG H20. 

The caffeine in coffee can help you focus but also increases stress and irritability, and who needs more of that? 

Alcohol actually makes you more dehydrated.

So while these common vices seem to help you function and decompress, they make the body work harder to function normally.

Water is good for you inside and out.

Proper hydration is necessary for a body to function, including but not limited to:

• Regulating body temperature

• Improving digestion

• Suppressing appetite

• Lubricates bones and joints

• Helps with headaches, focus and concentration 

• Rinsing sugars off the teeth (so give a good swish after your morning coffee!)

Wash Up

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a whole shower. Just cleaning off your face with warm water opens your pores, removes dirt, grime, sweat and debris collecting on your skin.

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised not everyone follows the recommended procedure on How to Wash Your Face the Right Way.

• First, make sure your hands are clean.

• Wash with water that is lukewarm, moderately warm. Not cold or so stifling hot that it melts your skin off.

• Using your fingertips, gently rub you skin in a circular motion.

• Don't forget to get your neck area, too.

• Rinse.

• Pat to dry with a face-friendly towel, do not rub.

While you’re at it, brush your teeth and clean your tongue. If you’re congested, gargle some  warm water and clear your sinuses.

Gussy Up

Much like washing your face, touching up your face of unwanted hairs is a small good-for-you task that doesn’t take long and leaves you feeling a little better than before. And it’s one more thing you can add to your list of things you got done today.

How to Tweeze Properly

For best results, wash your face first. The heat from warm water will soften your skin, which will make it easier to pluck unwanted hairs.

When using the tweezers, pull from the direction the hair grows. It’ll hurt less than if you pulled in the opposite direction.

Here’s a pretty solid video on How to Groom + Shape Your Eyebrows

Granted, you don’t have to go all out like she did. Simply plucking the hairs out of line will make a difference. Other places you can tweeze include:

• Your upper lip

• Chin

• Under the chin

• Along the neck

• Along the sides of your face under your ears

• Around your jawline

Clip your nails

Physical Benefits of Clipping Your Nails

When your nails aren’t kept well-trimmed, they can collect dirt, germs, and other ick. Plus, your nails can get caught on fabric, hair, or result in scratching of your own skin.

Here’s how you can have a simple manicure right at home, in 10 minutes or less. Notice it’s aimed at gentlemen, but it is great advice women can follow just the same. I use this video intentionally for two reasons:

• To debunk that self care and proper nail trimming is only for ladies.

• Because the video is a good demonstration of trimming nails, clipping cuticles, and filing.

Giving your fingernails a good trim gives them a fresh start to grow more evenly. Plus, you’ll feel a little more put together.

There You Have It! Nothing Fancy, Frivolous or Draining — Just Simple

As you see, these suggestions aren't anything revolutionary.

Your body does a lot for you in a day, but it's still a very simple machine. These self care basics -along with a wholesome diet and regular exercise- are how you can tell it thank you.

If you don’t include these habits as a part of your daily routine, it doesn't hurt to try it and see how you feel afterwards.

Cross off some of these tiny, good-for-you tasks, and see if motivates you to do bigger things. But it's okay if you don't have the strength to do more.

The key is slowing down, taking baby steps, and not pushing yourself so hard.

If you're experiencing long-term symptoms of sadness, depression, or anxiety, these are only small things you can do to feel better.

For more severe cases, consider speaking with a mental healthcare provider near you.

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If you made it this far, thank you for reading my blog!

I'm Candace Carter, a professional copywriter who helps the helpers, heroes and healers by creating blogs that speak to the human, not just the algorithm.

Need help with your blog? Let's talk about it.

Email me at cmshoplak@gmail.com to schedule a time to chat over coffee, or book a time here.

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Sources:

1. Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. (2023, January 12). Do caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or energy drinks, hydrate you as well as water? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/caffeinated-drinks/faq-20057965#:~:text=Chest%20pain%2C%20irregular%20heartbeat%20and,information%20submitted%20for%20this%20request.

2. Kelly Kennedy, RDN LDN. (2022, February 22). Does alcohol count as fluid? Everyday Health. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/does-alcohol-count-as-fluid/

3. Forbes Advisor Staff. (2022, August 8). 69% of Americans Admit to Emotional Spending, Pushing 39% of Them Into Debt. LendingTree. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/emotional-spending/

4. Dr. Alexis Stephens. (2022, January 19). How to wash your face properly| Dermatology Tips. YouTube Shorts. Retrieved Sept 3, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/shorts/88wO8B88QAo

5. Canela Trigueros. (2018, September 28). HOW TO GROOM + SHAPE YOUR EYEBROWS! (super easy + at home). YouTube. Retrieved Sept 3, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWCV851MnZ8

6. Gentlemen's Gazette. (2017, May 5). MANicure At Home - How To Take Care Of Your Nails, Hands & Cuticles Like A Well-Groomed Gentleman. YouTube. Retrieved Sept 3, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qRAw9FbsLM