Five Actions to Reset Your Day

What you can do right now to feel a little less lost.

Anna Shi
3 min readJan 10, 2021
Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

You know the feeling.

Doing “nothing” is never as restful as you think. Your brain goes crazy when you’re not focused, but sometimes we’re too tired to get focused.

P.S. I’m not an expert, but these strategies all have some scientific backing. I’ll link sources if you’re unconvinced. Better yet, though, just test them out yourself.

Be alone for a moment.

Block out some time for yourself. I’d suggest at least an hour to get into a full state of relaxation, but five minutes work too. Just don’t talk to other people. No matter how comfortable you are with someone, you will inevitably get distracted by their stories. This also means no social media or videos. Disconnect from the world and make yourself the only priority.

Go outside.

Ideally, go for a walk. Notice the coolness of the air or the warmth from the sun. Watch animals go about their lives. Admire the architecture in your neighbourhood. The point is to get out of your own head and be present, just for a moment. If you don’t have the energy to move, just sit on your doorstep. A single stolen moment can add clarity to your mind.

Write down your thoughts.

It’s so easy to get lost in your head — your thoughts swirl around half-formed, making you more and more anxious. Putting a pen to paper solidifies your introspection while slowing down the tempest in your mind. If you write too fast and find yourself getting lost again, then switch to your non-dominant hand. Side note: diaries are underrated.

Smile for yourself.

It might feel unnatural — it might even look unnatural — but it can make you feel better. It can’t completely transform your mood, but the simple act is also proof to yourself that you’re not going to mope around. The brain automatically associates these physical sensations with a positive mood. If you’re up for it, have a little dance party too.

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Declutter a little.

Tidying up often feels like more work—and sometimes it is—but it’s also a powerful way to project your internal turmoil onto an easy-to-fix environment. Choose something that doesn’t feel like a chore. I, for one, absolutely despise washing dishes, so instead I like to fold laundry or vacuum around the house. Focusing on a menial task can jumpstart your productivity.

When I wrote this, I felt stuck in my work. There was so much I needed to do, but I just couldn’t find the motivation to get started. In the end, though, that’s always the hardest part. I’m trying to make a habit of choosing a couple of these actions every time I feel demotivated. I find that if I’m intentional with my breaks, I work better the rest of the time.

The one thing I like to keep in mind when I experiencing a slump? Everything comes down to momentum, not motivation. If you’re really stuck, then commit to doing just one thing. It can take you farther than you think.

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Anna Shi

Learning how tomorrow's technologies will transform today's future. Especially interested in artificial intelligence and climate solutions.