How a Simple High Five Can Boost Your Mood Without Extra Effort
Feeding your mind is just as important as feeding your body. When you give your brain the right kind of nourishment, your daily life becomes more enjoyable, and even the most ordinary routines start to feel special.
I love reading, and I always keep a few magazines and books around. Maybe you prefer novels, or maybe you don’t like reading at all. Some people enjoy reading on a Kindle, and I do too, but there’s something about holding a real book that feels good, even for someone who likes to keep things minimal.
One book I recently enjoyed is The High Five Habit by Mel Robbins. At first, I wasn’t sure about her style from her YouTube videos, but her book surprised me. The main idea is simple: every time you see yourself in the mirror, give yourself a high five. It sounds a bit silly, but it works. When you do this, you can’t think something negative about yourself at the same time. It’s like your brain can’t hold two opposite feelings at once. If you’re smiling and giving yourself a high five, it’s hard to feel miserable.
This exercise is easy to try. Next time you’re in the bathroom, look in the mirror, smile, and give yourself a high five. You’ll notice that your mood shifts, even if just for a moment. It’s a small act, but it’s positive and rewarding. You can’t call yourself stupid while high-fiving your reflection and smiling. It’s a bit like laughter: you can’t laugh and feel down at the same time. There are even laughter festivals for this reason. The brain just can’t manage two opposite moods at once.
Another book I recommend is Hyper Performer by an Australian author. It’s full of practical advice for different types of people, covering everything from nutrition to daily habits. The idea is to take care of yourself, not to solve every problem at once, but to feel better and let go of negativity, even if only for a while.
I also keep beautiful notebooks and cards around. Having nice things, even something as simple as a lovely notebook, can make your day brighter. It’s about surrounding yourself with things that make you feel good and help you breathe a little easier.
Here’s something I noticed: when you learn something new from a book, try to apply it for at least a week. The first time I read about the high five habit, I tried it at the airport, then at home, but the next day I forgot. It took a few tries before it became a habit. That’s normal. We often read something interesting, try it once, and then forget about it. The real challenge is to stick with it for a week.
So here’s my challenge for you: pick a non-fiction book, read one chapter, and follow one or two pieces of advice from it for at least a week. Don’t try to do too much at once. Just pick one or two things and do them every day. See how you feel after a week.
Another book I want to mention is The One Thing. The idea is to focus on just one thing at a time. When you put all your energy into a single task, you do it better, and you actually end up with more time to enjoy life. It’s about doing less, but doing it well, and not giving up too soon. In the long run, you achieve more because you stick with it.
You can’t laugh and feel down at the same time. The brain just can’t manage two opposite moods at once. — Mel Robbins
When you put yourself first, even in small ways, you make space for positivity to grow. — Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Feed your mind with good books and positive habits.
- Try the high five habit: give yourself a high five in the mirror every day.
- Focus on one or two new habits at a time, and stick with them for at least a week.
- Surround yourself with things that make you feel good, even small ones.
- Doing one thing well is better than trying to do everything at once.
Reflection
- What’s one positive habit you can start today?
- Which book or idea has inspired you lately, and have you really tried it for a week?
- How can you make your daily routine a little brighter?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Daily Habits #Mental-Health #Nomad #Positive Mindset #Self-Improvement #Tasks #Wellbeing