By Being Kind to Yourself
If you want to be kind to yourself, you need to protect your well-being. We all know how important it is to take care of our physical health. But what about our mental health?
The first step is realizing that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You can then start taking steps towards improving your mental well-being.
We often forget that we are not perfect and that it’s okay not to be perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. It’s also important for us to remember that even though we are imperfect, we are still worthy of love and respect.
How do you react when you’re faced with circumstances beyond your control or you fall short of your own expectations?
Berate yourself or do you strive to do better? You might be tempted to become harsh with yourself. And in the end, you try to whip yourself into shape, thinking that will help you to overcome the obstacles in your way.
In reality, treating yourself with kindness and compassion is more likely to build your resilience and clarify your thinking.
Make a list of things you can do to show yourself a little love today, starting with these ideas.
Kind Habits That Safeguards Your Physical Well-being:
- Stay active. Exercise lowers your risk for heart conditions, diabetes, stroke, and many other serious health issues. For this reason, design a program you can do at home to train for cardio fitness, strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Eat whole foods. Fill up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Minimize your consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- Drink water. In addition to its other health benefits, water helps keep your eyes, mouth, and nose moist so you may be less tempted to scratch your face. Always try to quench your thirst with plain water or unsweetened tea. If that is not what you like try infusing your water with berries, fruit or herbs.
- Sleep well. Lack of sleep can make you more vulnerable to infection and illness. Therefore, aim for 7 to 8 hours of slumber each night.
- Manage stress. Deal with tension constructively. Try to find relaxation practices that work for you. And talk with your doctor if you find yourself using alcohol or other substances to manage your moods.
Kind Habits That Protect Your Psychological Well-being:
- Think positive. Look on the bright side and savor small daily pleasures. Read inspirational texts and keep a smile on your face. Remember that hardships are temporary. Maybe try to write down 1 good thing that happend each day.
2. Set goals. Add more purpose to your life by working towards realistic and challenging goals. Therefore use specific language and put them in writing.
3. Express gratitude. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. And let others know how much you appreciate them and what a difference they make in your life.
4. Give generously. Focusing on others makes your own troubles seem less grim. Share your time, money, and talents. For example, volunteer online for a worthy cause. Or ask an elderly neighbor if they need groceries.
5. Seek support. Surround yourself with family and friends who lift you up. Share your feelings. Ask for help when you need it.
6. Repeat affirmations. Use positive statements to retrain your brain and let go of doubts that hold you back. Say your affirmations out loud several times a day. Post written copies on your bathroom mirror and other places around your home.
7. Connect with nature. Green spaces have a positive effect on our emotions. Go outside for a walk as long as you’re careful about social distancing. However, if you are stuck at home, open a window to let in natural light and fresh air.
8. Laugh out loud. Use humor to help you through difficult situations. Watch cat videos and email funny jokes to your friends. In addition, play with your children or fake a chuckle until it turns into the real thing.
9. Meditate daily. Develop a regular meditation practice. Try to create a quiet space in your home where you can sit down each day. Start out with a few minutes at a time. You can then extend your sessions gradually as your power of concentration grows.
10. Live mindfully. Remain intentional and aware in between your meditation sessions. Practice healthy posture and deep breathing. You should also slow down and give your full attention to one task at a time.
Your relationship with yourself serves as the foundation for a happy and meaningful life. So in short, treat yourself with kindness and compassion, the same way you would behave toward a dear friend.