“An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.”
– Unknown
Are you ready for an obvious statement?
You only have one body.
Are you ready for another obvious statement?
You need to take care of that body – really take care of it – every day.
Despite the obvious nature of these statements, however, we often struggle with following through on the latter, don’t we?
We tend to put ourselves on the back burner while we care for everyone else’s needs first.
We tell ourselves we’ll sleep later, we’ll go to the gym later, we’ll take that class later; we’ll read that book later; we’ll start enjoying our life – later.
But why? Why do we do this? How come we continually put ourselves last on the to-do list? Why do we struggle to care for ourselves the way we care for others?
Oftentimes it’s guilt. Other times we’re “too busy.” And sometimes it’s simply out of habit; we don’t know any other way.
Well, today I’m here to help you break that habit. I’m here to help you find the time. And I’m here to help you quiet that unnecessary guilt.
Are you ready?
20 Ways to Enhance Your Life
Here’s the deal, friend. In order to show up authentically in the world, in order to offer the best version of yourself, and in order to fully provide for those you love, you need to be at 100%.
What’s the secret to reaching that point, you ask? Daily physical, mental, and emotional self-care, and I’m here to help you do just that.
It’s time to rediscover your natural energy, calm your mind, and start seeing your long list of tasks, responsibilities, and distractions with a fresh new perspective. How? Simple.
Choose five (or more) activities from the list below that make you feel great. As you will find in the following list, these five activities don’t need to be major events; they simply need to lift your spirits and make you feel like you.
Once you highlight those five things, the next step is to practice at least three of them every day. Doing so ensures that you fill your life with activities, events, and people, that you value and that bring you joy.
Let’s do this.
20 Ways to Enhance Your Life
1 – Remember to breathe.
It’s such a simple thing, but the compound effect of slowly filling your lungs with fresh air is remarkable. Take time throughout the day to breathe deeply for a few moments. Pull your shoulders back and draw air deep down into your lungs. Even just sixty seconds can help clear your mind and provide you with a healthy energy boost.
2 – Maintain a compliments log.
Let’s face it, every once in a while we need a reminder of how awesome we are. By keeping a compliments log, you can have that reminder whenever you need it. Record all of the wonderful compliments you receive, whether personal or professional, and refer to them frequently.
3 – Practice gratitude.
One of the best ways to nourish and strengthen your mental health is through practicing daily gratitude. In fact, research has shown that people who express regular gratitude generally live longer, experience less stress, and develop fewer negative health issues. (Want to learn more about practicing gratitude? Check out my post here!)
4 – Unplug for 1 hour.
Yes, you read that right. For one hour (or more!) ignore your Facebook updates, Instagram feed, and inbox. Instead, read a book. Go for a walk. Talk with your partner. Trust me, it’s a game changer. (Looking for more tips to unplug? You’ll love this post.)
5 – Inhale positivity.
Did you know that certain scents produce positive emotions? It’s true! Cinnamon sharpens your mind, pine alleviates stress, and lavender helps you sleep. Peppermint can calm your racing mind, and citrus scents bring you energy. In short, an aromatherapy diffuser and the right scent for your situation can quickly improve your mood. (Want to learn more about essential oils and self-care? Be sure to check out my friend Yolanda’s guide here!)
6 – Forgive yourself.
You are your own worst enemy. Take some time today to remind yourself that perfection is a unicorn; it simply doesn’t exist. So stop beating yourself up over every little “mistake” or “imperfection.” You, my friend, are beautifully human. And as Alexander Pope reminds us, “to err is human, to forgive divine.” Learn from your mistakes, get back up, and shine on. The world needs you today.
[bctt tweet=”To err is human, to forgive divine. It’s time to start practicing forgiveness toward yourself, friends. #SelfLove #Compassion #YouDoYou” username=”BusyBeingPaula”]
7 – Outsource minor tasks.
Whether you’re a busy mom, a bustling entrepreneur, or a corporate climbing rockstar, there are many ways you can lighten your load to make more time for yourself. Have your kids clean the table and load the dishwasher after meals. Hire someone to clean your house every few weeks. Ask your partner to pick up the groceries on their way home from work. Hire a V.A. to work on those extra tasks. Take some time to highlight those small time-robbing activities that you don’t need to do, and let someone else handle them.
8 – Get enough sleep.
I cannot stress this point enough. If you want to perform at 100%, show up for others, and feel great, then you MUST get the sleep your body needs. And despite what you may believe, 5-6 hours is not enough. If you’re thinking, “I have too much to do to waste time sleeping,” then try this on for size; when you get enough sleep, you perform at a higher level with greater productivity. In short, you can work less and do more. Start getting that valuable sleep you need, my friend. It’s a game changer. (Want more tips on getting the perfect night of sleep? Check out my strategy to create your perfect bedtime routine here!)
9 – Spend time with an old friend you have not seen in a while.
It’s no secret that we live busy lives, but don’t let that be an excuse for allowing important relationships to fade. Take some time today and reach out to that friend or family member who always makes you smile. Not only will this improve your day, it may brighten the other person’s day, too. It’s a win-win.
10 – Fix one small problem or distraction.
How often have you listened to that squeaky door open and close? How many days of the week does your desk clutter stress you out? Rather than ignoring the issue, take five minutes to fix it. You might be surprised by how addressing these “small win” areas in your life can contribute to less mental stress and anxiety overall.
Want 10 MORE tips to enhance your life? Grab this ebook of 20 strategies NOW and start changing your life today.
Question:
What are your favorite ways to enhance your life? How do you slow down and practice self-care? What do you struggle with when it comes to taking time for YOU? Let me know below!