Need a recharge? When daily stressors like work, relationships, and finances hang a dark cloud over your mood, practice these five steps to let in some sunshine. In just a few minutes, you could face the rest of your day with a brighter temperament.

Pause

If you feel your mindset or emotions becoming overwhelmingly negative, stop what you’re doing. Then find a spot where you can safely sit down, close your eyes, and ignore stimuli like phone notifications.

Breathe

Try alternate-nostril breathing. Inhale and exhale slowly, then block your right nostril before taking another breath in. Exhale through the left side of your nose. Repeat this, blocking the other nostril each time you inhale. Do this cycle ten times, focusing only on your breath.

Ground Yourself

Open your eyes, and begin “grounding.” This is the process of shifting your focus away from negativity and toward basic sensory stimuli. What does the surface you’re sitting on feel like? How does the air smell? What’s one pleasant thing you hear?

Brainstorm Solutions

Next, it’s time to actively concentrate on turning your mood around. Think of a proactive way you could improve how you feel. Perhaps write down your honest feelings and three changes you could make. Even if you’re dealing with factors beyond your control, you can at least try the next step.

Distract Yourself

Finally, seek a pleasant amusement. Maybe take a brisk walk outdoors or give a loved one a big hug and spark a conversation. Avoid looking up distractions on your phone, though, since it’s also a source of emails, news, and other potential stressors. You could even just enjoy some coffee or a snack. Tell yourself that you deserve it, and embrace the opportunity as you welcome the start of a better day.

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