Sometimes I can find myself feeling low and my spirits down for what seems like no good reason. I’ll feel a bit grumpy and don’t feel like doing the things I need to do. Many factors can influence our moods, including sleep deprivation, low blood sugar levels, stress, diet, and hormonal fluctuations.

At times, the world can feel out of control and chaotic. So, I’ve learned that I must protect my inner peace as much as possible, especially as someone who experiences anxiety. This is not to say I ignore what’s happening in the world and forget about everyone struggling. Still, I’ve learned that if I’m overtaken by anxiety, I will be too stressed and overwhelmed to do anything to help anyone else.

Some people may never struggle with their mental health, and that’s great. But in 2019, 1 in every 8 people globally were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression the most common (World Health Organization). So that means even if you’ve never struggled with your mental health, you have a relative, friend, colleague, or neighbor who will or already does. 

Many of us have, or will have, a 9-to-5 job at some point in our lives. I have been working a 9-5 job for all of my adult life. Over the years, I’ve discovered ways to make my 9-to-5 job less stressful and more enjoyable, and I’d like to share them with you today.

Some of us must choose joy each day. Given the state of the world, it may feel challenging to find something to be joyful about, but that isn’t true. There are still so many things in life to find joy in. Here are six ways I’ve been able to cultivate joy even in a challenging world.

If we were asked to look at our lives and measure our satisfaction with them, I believe most of us could agree that there is something we want more of. More money, time, status, space, and so on. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting more in life, from time to time, we should pause and take the time to enjoy and appreciate what we already have.