My Top 10 Cup Fillers

We all have those days where we feel like we need a boost of happy or relaxation to get us out of our funk and give us more energy. Heck sometimes it happens multiple times in one day. I am currently in a season of life where I find I am needing a reset often and I have built a tool box of things that help me do just that. Here are my top 10 cup fillers!

1. Listening to music, specifically my ‘Pick Me Up Playlist.’ I listed this as number one for a reason. Music can almost instantly change my mood, depending on the song. I created a playlist of songs that lift me up, give me a better perspective, breathe hope into my heart or make me want to dance! If I feel anxious, then I find a playlist from an artist from my childhood because it’s amazing how nostalgia will give me endorphins and soothe my soul.

2. Going outside or at the very least, changing my scenery. Going outside and breathing in fresh air is a sure sign to my body that it is okay to relax and let go of some of the stress it has been holding onto. Added bonus if I am able to take my shoes and socks off and walk in the grass to really ground myself (so many cool studies on how this literally changes your energy). If I’m unable to do that, then I will try to get out to the area I am in and the headspace I am in and go to a different place in the department or my house. Just getting out of the area where I have been can sometimes be the little change that I need to reset.

3. Waiting to hop on social until late morning and shutting it down about 8pm. I just use my phone's settings to block FB and Instagram from 8pm-10am and turn on the grey scale hours during those times too so my eyes get a break from blue light. Now I still get on pinterest during those hours but good 'ol pinterest has never triggered me!

4. Guided meditation is one of my favorites! I’m a huge fan of the Insight Timer app because it has thousands of free meditations! I am particular when it comes to meditation, mainly I can’t have someone making mouth noises during their meditation. Turns out that doesn’t relax me and just makes me angry, haha! I really like to use meditation to help me return to the present moment and recenter myself. It’s also one of the best ways I have found to help me shut down my hamster wheel of thoughts when I’m trying to go to sleep at night. To clear up any misconceptions you may have if you haven’t tried meditation, you actually don’t stop thinking, it just helps you refocus on other thoughts and if your previous thoughts pop up, that’s completely normal. It helps decrease rumination and calm your nervous system. Throw some essential oils into a diffuser, pop your earbuds in and give it a try if you haven’t already!

5. Moving my body! The way I move my body depends on how I'm feeling and what goal I'm aiming for that day. If I feel like I need an energy boost, I will do something to get my heart rate up, like jumping on my mini trampoline or putting on music and dancing it out with my boys. If I feel anxious and feel like my body just needs comfort, I will go for a walk, or stretch and foam roll. Sometimes that walk looks like a combo of walking and grounding by walking back and forth in my yard with my shoes and socks off. I'm also working on high intensity interval/sprint interval training and strength training so I'm as strong and as healthy as I can be for as long as I can be!

6. Drinking something warm has a calming or energizing effect on my mood depending on what I drink. My favorite warm drink is obviously coffee! I drink one cup in the morning (more than that is too much caffeine for my system and makes me feel shakey and anxious). Over the past few years, I have really grown to like tea too! I have tried out different flavors and will typically add in some type of milk and honey to make it more of a tea latte. I choose a caffeine free version because I usually like tea in the afternoon and don’t want it to mess up my sleep. I also enjoy hot lemon water, especially on cold mornings!

7. Speaking of water, I ALWAYS have something to drink with me! Whether that's my happy coffee, tea or water with lemon or frozen berries, this gal tries her darndest to stay hydrated! I just feel better when I do darnet!

8. Reading a great book! I used to read all of the time when I was younger and I loved it. Somewhere along the line, I stopped and so in the last couple years I happily picked up that habit again! Grab yourself a warm tea latte, snuggle into a cozy blanket and enjoy some soul- filling entertainment!

9. Podcasts! I’m a human in the technology era so, of course, I still use technology! One of my other favorite technological ways of resetting, outside of music, is by listening to a good podcast! My top fav podcasts in this season are (in no particular order):

   • Mary's Cup of Tea

   • Ten Percent Happier

   • The Betty Rocker Show

   • We Can Do Hard Things

   • Happier with Gretchen Ruben

   • Unlocking Us

   • Dare to Lead

   • The Diary of a CEO

   • Grace and Grit

   • Diet Culture Rebel

   • Letting it Settle

   • No Food Rules

   • All it Takes is a Goal

10. Last but not least, spending time with people who make me feel good! You know those people that just get you? The ones you can vent to and be your complete human self around. The ones who will hug you and make you laugh when the world feels really hard. If you are feeling like you are alone in feeling the way you are, chances are, you are not. One of the most affirming things I am finding out more and more as I get older is that we are all humans and have very similar emotions to one another. It’s okay to be frustrated, angry, sad, and to feel all that you are feeling. Reach out to one of your favorite people. Have a good cry, a good laugh and remember that the feelings you are feeling are usually temporary and you don’t have to weather them by yourself!

I hope these helped get your brain firing about ways you can help fill your cup throughout the times when your energy is zapped, you’re feeling overwhelmed or you just need a pick-me-up!

Until next time, Friends, I hope you have a wonderful day and you do something for yourself to help you feel loved and cared for! You deserve that so much!