Habits to Improve Your Well-Being
Here are some proven habits to use if you are wanting to boost your energy, mood, and overall well-being!
Build Connection
Reach Out to Someone:
Send a text, make a call, write a letter. There may be someone who would love to hear from you and be there to support!
Setup regular gatherings so that you have times to look forward to and can count on them when it is hard to reach out and make new plans.
Volunteer:
Think of a cause that you are passionate about and see if there are ways for you to get involved!
Look for Social Groups/Clubs:
Think about something you enjoy doing or would like to try and use a resource like MeetUp to find others who are interested in/already engaged in the same thing.
Continue Learning
Find Out What Sparks Your Interest:
What brings you joy? What can you do and feel like time is rushing by? Take some steps to learn more about it and see how you can incorporate that passion into your everyday life.
Try Something New:
There are countless experiences you can have and things you can do. We only have a short time to get out and enjoy them, so push yourself and try something new when you are able. It may just be a new favorite!
Develop Your Skills:
Think of something that you are good at and enjoy. What might be some ways to refine this skill and continue to learn and grow?
Care for Your Body
Eating Healthy Food:
The body and mind are deeply connected. Our mood, energy, thoughts, etc. can all be influenced by our diet. We’ve all been hangry at some point in our lives, right?
Try prepping food ahead of time to help when you get busier.
Take note of what you eat to see how certain foods impact your well-being.
Exercise in Ways You Enjoy:
Don’t make exercising a chore. Think about what you enjoy doing and pursue that! Maybe you prefer to dance, swim, or play full-contact checkers. If you do something that doesn’t feel like a punishment you are more likely to stick with it.
Get Quality Sleep:
Try and brush-up on your sleep hygiene. Do some research, track your energy/sleep, and try to find a routine that works best for you.
Engage in Mindfulness
Meditation:
Mediation can be deeply restorative and can be done in any way you like. There are more guided meditations online than someone could listen to in a lifetime. Try googling “guided meditation for _____” and fill in a word that matches what you are looking for like sleep, grounding, or relieving stress.
Yoga:
Get in-touch with your body. Make gentle, mindful motions.
Mindfullness Exercises:
Mindfulness is simply a practice of being present. This could be mindful eating, mindful breathing, or any other means of centering yourself.
Explore Setting Different Boundaries
Prioritize:
Think about what is important to you and put it at the top of your list.
Say no when you need to. It is ok to ask for what you need and to say no when you are unable.
Reflect:
Think about what you are committing your time and energy to. Is it still working for you? Is it worth reallocating your time?
Reflect on what is filling your cup and what is draining it. Be intentional about doing things that are filling.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Starting Therapy:
Ask for referrals/recommendations to find a provider who is a good fit for you and your goals.
Search in your area, look on directories like Psychology Today, or ask one of your other healthcare providers.
Look at therapy as an investment and yourself and your goals. Think to yourself about where you would like to be and where you would like to grow.
Utilize Other Resources:
Check out podcasts, books, Youtube, documentaries, etc.
Look for local support groups or group therapy offerings.
Take a local class like Mental Health First Aid to learn more about supporting those around you.
Call-To-Action
What habit are you going to introduce into your wellness routine? Are there any that weren’t mentioned that you think might benefit others? Feel free to comment your ideas below and keep up with your well-being practices!