Apr 9, 2021
How To Stay High Vibe & Focused All Day Long — 4 Tips
An important life lesson I learned from my hairstylist on the importance of color and how it affects our mood
My old hairstylist once said, “I choose to be a blonde because even when the sun isn’t shining, I have sunshine on top of my head.” I took that sunshine statement as a metaphor for life’s ups and downs, and because I’m a blonde, I can fully relate.
Color can do wonderful things for our psyche. The research has been done, and the proof is in our glowed-up faces and pep in our step once we swipe on that purple lipstick or tug our favorite yellow crew neck over our heads.
“It’s something of a fashion urban legend that wearing color is a mood elevator. But actually, it’s grounded in fact: When the eye takes in bright, bold hues like pink, red and green, it triggers the release of dopamine, a powerful hormone that makes you feel happier,” according to a fashion color theorist.
Put simply, wearing color makes us happy. But unfortunately, slipping on a marigold maxi dress doesn’t exactly solve our life’s problems — color can only take us so far. We have to find more sustainable ways of keeping those feel-good vibes up, like engaging in meaningful work and activities, and doing so routinely.
That said, I have found color to be my main motivating factor for not only getting things done each day, but relieving me of my daily anxiousness. From hitting a project deadline to paying the bills, I’m finding I accomplish daily tasks and responsibilities quicker, more efficiently, and with greater zest when I’m dressing myself in cheerful, vibrant colors like pink, teal, and orange.
And while painting my nails yellow or sporting bright coral lipstick is what helps me stay high vibe and focused throughout the day, I’m going to provide a more universal approach I use to keeping on task each day.
Side note: If you’re a freelancer or solopreneur, you know routine is everything when it comes to setting our days up for success, so I hope this gives you inspiration if you’re in need of some.
Here are my 4 tips for staying high vibe & focused, all day long
- Decide today is going to be a good day, and work towards it. Attitude is everything. Whether it’s through manifestation, meditation, or simply a can-do attitude, decide today is going to be productive and awesome. Say it out loud after you hop out of bed in the morning. Today is going to be fabulous. Your mind is a powerful thing.
- Take 5 minutes in the morning to envision the future you want to create. Do more than just think about it. Write it down in your journal or go on your porch and meditate on it, WITHOUT YOUR PHONE. Just 5 minutes, don’t overthink it, just do it! This puts your mind in a positive place and gives you something exciting to look forward to.
- Do a morning workout. Not a novel idea, I know, but it’s too important to leave out. Just do it! Moving your body first thing in the morning revs your mind up for the day, gives you endorphins, and makes you feel accomplished. Whether you need to go to a spin class like I do, or you prefer a morning walk or 10-minute strength training workout, get your bod moving.
- Get dressed. You can’t possibly be as sharp, energized, or focused on what you need to be focusing on staying in your pajamas as opposed to throwing on something more put together. Even if you’re working from home and aren’t going to be seen on Zoom. Simply switching to leggings & a cool t-shirt (don’t forget shoes, now) will make you feel polished in comparison to the sleepy, lazy feeling of staying in last night’s PJs. Trust me on this one. If you’re looking for simple ways to elevate your style — and understand why it matters — I highly recommend listening to The Style Success podcast by personal stylist Mallory Sills.
Conclusion
Wearing color — via a hat, kimono, jumpsuit, or pair of loafers — is my daily reminder that I am alive, healthy, and free to be me. It’s my permission slip to say what I want to say and do what I want to do in the context of business, play, and all things in-between.
Getting into a groove sets my days up for success, optimizing my energy levels and decreasing feelings of stress and worry — similar to the way an excellent latte lightens the mood and clears up brain fog.
I’m confident anyone can become more productive, more motivated, and more accomplished in their days if they stick to an energizing morning routine that works for them. Bonus points if you adorn yourself in color.
What are some other things you guys do to get your mind right for the day? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you for reading :)
Be you.
Xo, Ashley
Ashley is a writer based in Connecticut. She is currently working on a memoir focusing on the motherhood identity crisis, and believes our weirdness is what makes us great.
You can sign up for her happiness hacks newsletter here, and keep up with her on Instagram here.
