Modern times are all the more stressful to each one of us… doesn’t matter your age, gender, personality style, occupation or even your patience levels. In fact, stress exactly does that… tests your nerves!

It is not because we don’t have time that we get stressed, it is because we are stressed that we don’t find the time to do the things we need to, we want to!

So, when you are down with stress, trust yourself to give you the boost and uplift soon enough. If you wait long or think it will pass, you may run the risk of entering into a depressive state.

Here are five simple and instant self-motivators below:

1. Sing your favourite songs, or at least hum them. If your voice is not good enough, it is alright. Don’t judge your singing abilities. You are not singing to win any competition. You are singing to cheer up yourself.

2. You can do better by listening to your favourite songs. Store some good songs in your mobile and while you play them, make sure to sing along. Keep a check on your environment and see that you are not disturbing others in the process.

3. Look at funny side of yourself. It doesn’t imply that you need to act funny or keep laughing at yourself neither you should be alarmed if your sense of humour is low. All you need to do is smile at your silly follies and be at ease with yourself.

4. Observe a green tree, plant or a leaf. It could be a potted plant at the corner of your office or one outside the window or your computer wallpaper. Wherever it is, spot a green and lighten your mood. Green is a healing colour, so it has its psychological effects.

5. Make a ‘to do’ list for the evening/day/week/month. And keep a check on what you have achieved so far in the  day/week/month. This will help you to know where you stand now and put you back on the track to where you should be. Most of all, it puts you in the action mode.

If these are not applicable to you, think again… try it again. Still, if it’s not working, I am sure you will find your own instant motivators. Motivation is always available. Open yourself to it. Keep away the stressors. Positive thoughts lead to positive actions which in turn leads to positive outcomes.

(This blog is also on Speaking Tree, my blog site: http://www.speakingtree.in/public/shilpa.kamath/blog)