Transform your Lifestyle for greater balance, health and happiness
Does your daily routine, diet, and overall lifestyle support your health and well-being?
You could be eating all the kale and broccoli in the world, but if you’re not nourishing yourself on a holistic level, you will not feel vibrant and happy.
It’s important that you feed your soul and your hunger for life, whether that be through a meaningful spiritual practice, an enjoyable physical activity, honest and open relationships, an interesting hobby, or travel and adventure.
It could even be something more simple like having a good belly laugh with a friend, or offering thanks before and after meals.
When we don’t nourish ourselves with healthy food, restful sleep, regular exercise, a daily spiritual practice such as meditation or journaling, and other mind-body healing habits, we will inevitably feel tired, out of balance, and irritable - and often at our kids.
Here are some of my favourite ways to bring greater happiness and health into my life, so that I can be the best person I can be.
Daily gratitudes
Being grateful for your blessings cancels out negative thoughts and worries, and gets your day off to a great start. A good daily habit to get into is to keep a gratitude journal. It will remind you, and help you appreciate all the things that are good in your life.
Try to make it specific and don't forget to be thankful for the little things. The sweetness of your child’s smile, a sunshine-filled day, even having a roof over your head – these are all things to savour.
Every evening I write down 3 - 6 blessings that I have experienced throughout the day. Not only does it enable me to sleep more peacefully, it reminds me of how grateful I am for my life by releasing the happiness hormones.
Learning 'To Say No'
This has been a 'biggie' for me! As some of you will know very well, a mother’s brain is a never ending “things to do” list. We need to learn how to prioritise or we will honestly go crazy!
Say ‘no’ to activities that are not going to ultimately serve the best interests of yourself.
For instance, are you being pressured to be class parent representative? I have been feeling this pressure, for a number of years, and I gave in a couple of times, which didn't serve me that well.. To finally just say NO was liberating.
Let it go... At least until things change in your life and you are in a better position to take it on. Or perhaps let it go for good. Would it really 'rock your world' if you didn't take it up? Honestly?
Not every minute of your day needs a schedule, although I know it feels like it sometimes. Being present, being still, and being in the moment. This is what will bring you true happiness and health.
Morning Ritual
One easy and effective way to ensure you get your “me time” is to introduce a morning ritual.
Morning Ritual
One easy and effective way to ensure you get your “me time” is to introduce a morning ritual. For me, in the past, it was always a time to get a head start on my to do list. This doesn't exactly support balance, health and happiness. In fact, it just made more stressed and unhappy as the list was always growing!
I realised that by spending this very precious time on a ritual of self-care essentials that set me up for the day feeling positive and energised, was so worthwhile.
You can have your superfood breakfast smoothie. Do some stretches, yoga and breathing exercises.
Practice gratitudes and journaling.
Decide on a positive mantra for the day. Drink a glass of lemon water.
Do five minutes of body brushing before your shower. Say some positive affirmations – whatever floats your boat.
It is just about you, having quality and precious time applying some 'me time' self-care practises that will set you up for a happier and healthier day.
Select a few essentials that will have the most positive impact on your health and wellbeing and do them for 10 – 30 minutes every morning as a ritual.
What aspects of your lifestyle would you like to transform to bring you greater health and happiness?
For the next few weeks, sit by yourself for at least five minutes each day with the intention to clear away complications.
In the time you set aside for this clearing, determine what area you need to focus on the most and work on that.
It may be one of the complications mentioned above or a different area that is preventing you from experiencing a state of peaceful simplicity.
Start by thinking of the smallest possible action you could take—and then take it.
Then choose the next smallest action, and do that. The action can truly be as small as opening your closet drawer to see.