There comes a time when we can find ourselves feeling a little run down with life, our emotions, and generally how we feel inside. There's a number of reasons for this. It might be that you have huge deadlines at work, that you find yourself struggling to keep up with deadlines or hot targets that have been set for you.

Maybe you are burning the candle at both ends, working hard but equally playing hard in the evenings or throughout the weekends. Maybe there are financial struggles that you are finding hard to handle, relationship issues that don’t seem to want to be resolved or friendship drama that is causing you pain.

Or perhaps, like me, you are a busy mum of two who is also running her own business, has a never ending list of things to do, a full inbox waiting for replies, a ton of work to do and constantly feels overwhelmed.

There's a multitude of reasons as to why you could be feeling run down and out of sorts, so what is the best way to start to feel yourself once more?

One main area you need to conquer first and foremost is that you need to discover exactly what is causing you to feel this way. It’s all well and good making positive changes to your lifestyle and your routine, but if you aren’t going to change the one thing that has caused you to feel this way you could be back at square one before you know it.

Once you know that, then you can start to focus on yourself. Here are some of the ways you can pay yourself a little more attention, hopefully bringing you back to your best.

Simple changes to make you feel better:

Time to get your hair done

Who doesn’t love getting their hair done? It is a time to try a new style, change your hair colour, or give your hair that little bit of volume and life with a treatment and a nice blow dry.

Often just this small thing can make a huge difference to how we feel about ourselves.

Why not treat yourself today and book in with your hair stylist?

Maybe browse Pinterest for some hair inspiration and try a new style. Often this can give you a little bounce in your step. Especially if you have somewhere great to be after it is done.

Focus on that smile of yours

One of the biggest indicators that we aren’t feeling yourself is our smile, or lack of for that matter. But, there could be an underlying reason why you are faking it instead of flashing your natural smile and letting your true emotions shine through.

Many people have big hang ups on how their teeth look, the condition, how white or straight they are. This is when you may want to look into the Invisalign treatment process and take action against the opinions you have developed about yourself.

Follow my own brace journey here.  I already know having a perfect smile will boost my confidence as I have had awful teeth making me self-conscious for years.  I would never even smile showing my teeth.  Getting them straightened is going to be life changing.

And then... smile!

It can be hard to smile through problems you are going through, but a positive outlook can play a huge part in changing the circumstances, the situation and how you feel about things. Smiling is one way you have control in doing that.

Apparently smiling can boost our happy hormones, so smile as much as you can, even if you're feeling under the weather.  A smile might be all you need to start boosting your mood!

Treat yourself to some new clothes

Sometimes just changing our appearance can make a big difference. We all know that while slobbing around in our track suit bottoms and jumpers is so comfortable, it can often make us feel lethargic and low, especially if we are feeling that way anyway.

Why not take this time to put some focus into how you present yourself each day. There is some psychological truth behind it.

For example, someone who works from home will find that they are far more productive if they get dressed and work than if they sit comfortably with their pyjamas on and their laptops on their knee.

Treat yourself to some new clothes for the new season ahead. Autumn and winter is a great time to rock those chunky knits and ankle boots.

Knowing that you look great on the outside can give you a real confidence boost for the day ahead. The same can be said for things like make up. A lot of women feel that it can be like their armour, putting their make up on enables them to feel powerful and ready for anything.

Even a colourful lipstick while doing the housework can have the same effect.

Do some good when buying new clothes by choosing your local charity shops for new wardrobe additions.

Is it time to focus on your mindset?

Time to focus on that mindset of yours, because the truth is, this is your biggest tool for feeling better about yourself, but it can be the one most people have the most difficulty with.

Sure you can buy the clothes, you can make changes to your appearance, but your mind, well often it can be the thing that controls you.

Instead, focus on your positivity and outlook. Make sure that anything negative simply floats away from you and only allow the positive thoughts moving forward.