Each of us deserves a little bit of TLC. With so many responsibilities and conflicting demands we sometimes forget about the one who loves us most, ourselves! It's so easy to get sucked into our online world (social media, online shopping, etc) that we forget who we are and what really matters. I am all-too-familiar with forgetting who I am in the rush to get things done. Here you’ll find some easy tips to help you feel more balanced.. giving you a moment to breathe and be present in a fast paced world.
Take some time out
One of the best ways to improve your wellbeing is to take some time out. The first step is deciding when you want to relax. You could do this once a week or several times a day; whatever works best for you! Next, choose an activity that you enjoy doing that will calm your mind and body—it could be a soothing bath, reading a book, listening to music, meditation or even something creative.
The important thing.. you set aside time for yourself and the things that you enjoy.
Eat well
Eating well and getting the right nutrients to fuel mind and body can help improve your mood. Take a look at the foods you are consuming day to day, are they helping or hindering you? A great way to do this is by keeping a food and mood diary then reviewing it every few days. The right foods give us energy and help us stay active, the wrong food can make us tried, cranky and sluggish.
Bottom line? Don't focus on calories or carbs... instead, focus on getting the right nutrients for your mind and body.
Speak kindly to yourself
Did you know that the way we talk to ourselves has an impact on our mood? We can change our emotional state by simply changing our thoughts. If you want to be happy, start by being kind to yourself. The next time you find yourself making a negative comment, stop and say something positive instead. It can take some practice, but keep at it! The more you practice self compassionate language, the easier it becomes.
Try writing down some positive things down about yourself everyday or repeating positive affirmations throughout the day.
Get some exercise
Move your body. Take a brisk walk or a swim, join a yoga class or dance to your favourite music. Find an activity that you enjoy and try to implement it into your day, Nobody's saying you need to be super fit to reap the benefits of exercise, even a little bit of exercise each day can boost hormones such as dopamine and endorphines that help you feel happier. Staying active may also help ward off other issues, like depression, anxiety, and stress.
It's important to take care of your physical health if you want to feel better mentally.
Disconnect from the digital world
Put your phone away and turn off the laptop and TV. We know.. this ones hard! But stepping away from the constant stimuli of our phones and computer has been shown to be great for focusing the mind and easing anxiety. Try starting with 5 minute chunks of time throughout the day where you put your phone away, then gradually increase that amount of time as you get more comfortable with it.
You may be surprised how much more present you are when you disconnect.
Embrace nature
Spending a few hours in nature is a great way to improve your wellbeing. Get out there and soak it all in, it's hard to beat the therapeutic power of mother earth. If you're stuck in the city, get out of it and just surround yourself with nature. Hit up some woodland trails, go for a swim or dip your toes in a body of water, or just spread out on the grass and ground yourself with bare feet on soil. Nature is the best medicine.
The best part is, it's free and accessible to everyone.
Treat yourself
You deserve it! Do something or go somewhere that makes you feel good. Book that weekend away or indulge in a spa day, have brunch with friends or buy yourself that pair of shoes you've always wanted. Sparking a little joy every so often is important for our wellbeing.
It doesn't matter what you do as long as it makes your heart happy!
Have a good sleep pattern
Sleep deprivation has been linked to poor health outcomes such as stress and anxiety. Sleep helps us think clearly and stay focused on tasks throughout the day. Without enough sleep we can become irritable, forgetful and less productive in our day. Aim for eight hours sleep each night to ensure a restful night. If like me you struggle with sleep creating a healthy bedtime routine will help you wind down and relax before you drift off.
Pay close attention to your bedtime routine, could you benefit from a little more shut-eye?
We're probably all guilty of neglecting our own well-being at some point. However, with a few small changes, we can all make a big difference in the way we feel, both physically and mentally. We don't need to live hectic lives; slowing down and taking care of ourselves is key to living better. So next time you find yourself rushing or running around for no good reason, just take a moment to breathe deeply. Enjoy life and the things around you; after all, you have no one but yourself to blame if you don't take time for yourself.