While life is not always black-and-white, and no two people have the same experiences, there are a few things that no one should do. Things like maintaining a negative attitude and trudging away in a job you hate can take a toll on anyone. Keep reading for a few quick tips from Birdies 4 Bipolar on things you should and shouldn’t do to bolster your happiness.

Don’t rely on the drive-through.

We’ve all slid into the McDonald’s drive-through at half-past dinner time to pick up chicken nuggets for hungry kids. Although you should give yourself some grace, try to avoid eating fast food and junk food regularly. Not only is it high in carbs and sugar, but it’s also full of bad fats.

Do learn how to meal prep.

If time is your problem, spend Sunday afternoons preparing healthy lunches and dinners for the days ahead. You can find meal prep containers at your local department store or online.

Don’t allow your home to overwhelm you.

From disorganization to clutter, a messy home can weigh heavily on us, and over time can even affect our mental health.

Do take the time to clear the cobwebs

Rally the family together and spend the weekend cleaning up and cleaning out to give your home the refresh it needs. When everything that has a place is in its place, your living environment will exude more positive energy.

Don’t treat everyone the same.

It’s human nature to want to treat everyone the same. But, no two people are alike, and events of the last two years have made it clear that people react differently to different stimuli. By trying to treat everyone the exact same, you may miss out on experiences that you may enjoy with one person and not the other.

Do treat everyone equally.

Treating people equally is not the same as treating everyone the same. Think about your children. They likely have different love languages. One might snuggle on the couch while the other will fix you a snack to show they care. Respond to people’s love languages in kind, and you will have a better chance of developing healthy relationships with people around you.

Don’t stay in a job you hate because it’s comfortable.

We all have to earn a living, but if you begrudge the money you make because it makes you miserable, then you are only hurting yourself in the long term.

Do look ahead to your future.

Consider going back to school, asking for a transfer to a new department, or changing jobs altogether. ZenBusiness asserts that it is fear and anxiety that keep us from moving forward, but you can use this discomfort to push you toward positive changes to your career that help you enjoy the 40+ hours per week you spend on the time clock. This is especially true if the job you are in is not challenging enough; set your sights high and reach for the position you want, not necessarily the one that makes the most sense.

Don’t use social media as a measure of your worth.

Social media is integrated into everything we do, from the reviews we leave on businesses to how we date. But, as The Chicago School of Professional Psychology explains, social media does not reflect reality. Don’t compare yourself to the pictures you see behind your screen. The people posting are likely fighting struggles just as difficult as any that you have going on in your life.

Do use social media to keep up with friends and family.

One thing you can use social media for is to keep up with your friends and family. This is especially beneficial if you have older relatives that live many states away. You can help combat loneliness in you and your friends and family by simply making a video call every now and then.

The above is not meant as the dictation of your life. But, it is good advice that can help you perpetuate positivity throughout each day. No matter what challenges you have facing you, there are ways that you should and should not approach them. Remember, Mindset is everything, and when you look for ways to be positive in every situation, that will shine through in all you do.

Image via Pexels