We’ve all heard the old saws about thinking positive and staying upbeat, but the truth of the matter is that sometimes, it’s hard to stay upbeat when things are getting worse. Trouble can come from any direction, and as a father, it is hard not to feel vulnerable. Problems at work or problems at home can loom very large in your mind, and it may take all that you have to keep yourself from spending all your time worrying! This is where conscious behaviors come in. Conscious behaviors are real, physical things that you can do to make your world and your life better. If you or your family members are feeling beat, give one a try right now.
Exercise
Stress is essentially leashed adrenaline. When a problem appears, your body kicks into a fight or flight mode, but for most modern problems, you can do neither. Instead, the adrenaline just sits there, and pretty soon, you’re going to start feeling awful. When this happens, take a time out and do some exercises. You can take a quick jog around the park, or you can simply do some jumping jacks where you are. While you are doing the exercises, chances are good that you are not worried about your problems! After blowing off some adrenaline, you’ll find that you can think much more clearly.
Take a Class With Your Kids
One of the things that many fathers worry about is losing touch with their children. After all, chances are good that you are a busy guy. Remembering to make time for your kids is rough. This is where a class comes in. Find out what your kids are interested in and take a class in it with them. For example, if your kids are all curious about martial arts, why not find a local martial arts school that offers family discounts? This can be a great way to bond, and it nudges you towards being a more active parent.
Smile
It sounds cheesy in the extreme, but the next time you are feeling upset and anxious, start smiling. It doesn’t have to be a real smile, and you don’t have to find something that is worth smiling about. Instead, just smile like you would for a camera. The motion of smiling is very closely linked with the feeling of being happy. In many cases, you can trick your brain into being happy for a short amount of time. Even if you feel a little dumb smiling at nothing, you’ll find that your mood does go up. Take a few moments to give this a try; after all, you’ve got nothing to lose!
Offer to Help
The next time that you feel concerned or worried about something, pull yourself away from your own troubles for a bit and ask someone if they need some help. You can ask a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or a random person you see on the street. Not only are you making the world a better place, you’ll find that you can also feel significantly more in control of your own life. After all, you have made someone else’s day a little bit better. If you want to do this on a regular basis, consider volunteering for a cause that you believe in. This can make a huge difference to how you see the world.
Go Outside
It sounds simple, but there is something bracing about simply walking out into the fresh air. If it is cold, just stay out for a few moments, or bundle up and take a trudge out into the snow. During the warm months, take a quick walk around the park. Going outdoors changes your perception and it helps you relax. While it doesn’t solve your problems, it can give you some perspective.
Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that you are in charge of your life. There are so many things that might be affecting you that it is easy to feel a little buried! Take a moment and consider some conscious behaviors that might help you feel on top of things again.