For some, this is foreign, a term used only when they are in real need. How can we make this thought preventative, something we do as maintenance for our own well-being?
Once you have covered the basics:
- Healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Plenty of sleep
What’s next…
Consider the following as ongoing upkeep for your well-being:
Organization:
Declutter your life. Remove chaos so you have room to focus. Organize your surroundings and prioritize your activities. What percentage of your time do you dedicate to YOU?
Stimulate your brain:
How many schedules do you mentally manage? Think about the types of new information you introduce to your brain on a daily basis. Try stimulating your brain with a new challenge, a hobby, a new skill, or an adventure.
Socialize:
You don’t need to have a big group of girlfriends to have gal time. Consider a date with someone you would like to get to know better. This is a great time to re-tell your favorite stories that your lifelong friends have already heard. Attend a networking group, shake hands, and meet new people.
Alone Time:
It’s all up to YOU! Take a nap, start a new book, binge watch your favorite show, daydream, brainstorm, go for a walk, meditate, listen to music…it’s YOUR choice.
Routine Change:
Add something new to your routine. After taking inventory, you might find yourself with some extra time, so fill it with something YOU want to do. Make this part of your daily, weekly, or monthly routine. This ensures you do IT more often.
Dance:
With all this extra time alone, turn the music on and DANCE! You can get a workout, relieve stress, release dopamine, and stimulate the senses. Dancing is a nice transition from a busy day. “Dance it out!”
Self-Sooth:
Take a bubble bath, massage your hands and feet, give yourself a mani & pedi. Have you thought about yoga? Take a restorative yoga class. You start on the floor, breathing slowly, in a dim room, with celestial music…how can that not be good for you?
Give:
Give a compliment, give encouraging advice, give of your time, and give of your resources. There is healing in giving, for both parties.
Pray:
Make time for God. Dedicate time to worship, pray, and study. Getting closer to God will change your perceptions and priorities.
Enjoy the benefits of spending a little more time on YOU!