DON’T

Turn the music down when you stop at a red light. Especially if your windows are down. Listen to that song proud. In fact…at red light stops, the volume should go up.

DO

Wear bright red lipstick with your sweatpants and t-shirt.

Next time your bffl or gf or bf or bff or bae or whoever starts talking bad or gossiping about someone you both know, just say two words: Donald Trump. Everyone gets a karma pass for talking bad about that joker…and you’ve successfully changed the subject from what it is your chatty friend attempted to spread.

DO

make eye contact and smile with each person you walk past. It sounds tiring, but smiling at others releases endorphin, and being smiled at does the same. It sounds silly, but it’s a super easy way to make your own day better, to make other’s day better, and to be a healthier person. No diet needed! Just smile a whole bunch!

This is for my friends living in the ATL area or any other urban population

Keep a few Gatorades/water bottles/other drinks or snacks in your car which is reserved for needy people you see and stop by at a red-light/stop sign. They want it, trust me. And they need it. Heck, if someone walking by me gave me a Gatorade or water bottle, even in my current financial situation, I’d be as happy as a thirsty clam.

DON’T BE SHY- STOP AND ASK TO PET THE DOG.

People who have cute fluffy dogs also LIKE cute fluffy dogs, and they would stop and ask to pet one if they saw one. Just do it. The dog will thank you and you will thank yourself. Doses of cuteness can be found all day and should be taken advantage of.

We don’t all have time to spread out and do a 30-minute yoga sesh (which I also highly recommend)…BUT for those of us who are usually on the go, I would suggest this: Each time before you get into the shower or bath, stand on a towel in front of your tub/shower/whatever…and stretch for five minutes before you hop in the steaming (or cool) water.

Stretching releases endorphins and makes your muscles healthier. I promise you, no matter who you are (even if you’re the president of the United States of America [bad example, he has too much time on his hands, but you get it]) you have time to stretch for five minutes.

DO

Write your name in sharpie on the walls and stalls in bathrooms (especially if you’re on a road trip and might never frequent that spot again)…along with the date and something inspirational. And I don’t care how old you are…you don’t have to be in middle school (no offence to that age though, ya’ll are rad and growing, and I dig it) to be young and mischievous in good, little ways.

DO WRITE LETTERS…YES WITH A PEN…AND PAPER…

We live in a world of screens. Write a letter on a fun piece of stationary or on a plain white piece of paper, and either mail it or keep it and give it to the person when you see them next. This is also a great exercise for if you have hard feelings towards someone.

They never have to read it in order for you to feel a release from the negative energy that is weighing you down. Simply writing the letter will be a therapeutic exercise. If you decide to give them the letter, they cannot cut you off or respond immediately, especially if you mail them or hand them a letter and walk away.

Be aware if you slump or have bad posture. Make a conscious effort to think about how you are sitting and standing. This is such a good and simple practice for a healthy body.

Allow yourself, when studying or surfing the web (is it even called that anymore?), to fall into a rabbit hole of information. Who cares if it’s not useful to you at that exact moment? It’s fun to know things…and although I do not suggest using Wikipedia for scholarly sources, it’s fun to read about *anything* and click on the blue words throughout the section. You never know what you’re going to find.

Buy a pack of stickers and stick them everywhere you go that day (another good bathroom stall exercise). This world needs color and animation and fun. Be a part of that.

To recap:
-Listen to your music loud
-Wear red lipstick
-Use Donald Trump as a gossip stopper
-Smile at everyone you see
-Stock car survival refreshments for the needy
-Pet all the dogs
-Stretch before showering
-Write your name on bathroom walls
-Write letters
-Have good posture
-Go down internet rabbit holes
-Stick stickers...everywhere