10 healthy ways to keep going in the New Year
Wow! What a year!
From entering into a new decade #2020, to global lockdowns, fighting for social justice, many being laid off or furloughed if you’re in the UK or wondering how the new year will turn out!
You’ve gained strength through all of it!
Whether it’s learning a new skill, building relationships with family and friends, figuring out your passion and learning to spend quality time with the ones you love.
You’re doing well friend, breathe deep and smile. If you’re grieving a loved one, my heart goes out to you and I pray for peace in this moment.
I can honestly say its bittersweet, and the one thing I’m starting is realise is that so much of what we want to achieve starts the getting the basics right.
HERE ARE 10 WAYS.
1. SLEEP
We often underestimate the power of sleep, but it’s been found to be good for work engagement and overall performance in your day.
I’ve often struggled with this, especially with so much around to distract us; social media, countless numbers of series to catch up on and working hard to build a legacy.
All of this can cause anxiety and the feeling that you need to stay awake or else you’ll miss out on something. That shouldn’t be the case.
Your body is designed to recover and the best way to do this is through sleep.
If you struggle with going to sleep in general or getting enough to keep you fit and healthy, here are 3 tips I’ve been doing to help.
1. Set time limits on your favourite social platforms.
Personally, I have a “Do Not Disturb” set for 10pm where all my apps will shut off and I won’t receive any notifications only for emergency calls from family.
2. Do something relaxed & chilled before bed.
The one thing you want to avoid is doing extensive work where your brain has to think and analyse, so try doing things that are light and fun. You can read a book, do an evening yoga session, watch something with family or write in a journal.
3. Put to pen all your thoughts & worries for tomorrow.
There are many other reasons we find it hard to sleep, but if one of these are worries about what you need to do the next day, write these down so your brain doesn’t have to replay them in your head all night.
2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR WHOLE SELF – BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT
I love that this one of the many resolutions each year.
Whether it's signing up for the gym, starting a new diet plan (oh maybe I could try keto this year) or joining a class to motivation, exercise is important.
However, if we neglect the other important aspects of who we are, we end up feeling unmotivated and defeated.
This is why its important to not just take care of the body, but your mind, soul & spirit. When you're thriving in all of these, you'll feel at ease and content while still pursuing your goals
“I believe that the greatest gift that you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.” – Joyce Meyer
3. PRACTICE GRATITUDE
I read a post recently by an entrepreneur Steven Bartlett who wrote, "It’s impossible to feel self-pity and gratitude at the same time."
There are many wonderful benefits to practicing gratitude every day, including increased feelings of happiness, better physical health, better sleep and less negative emotions.
Are you grateful for your family, the job you have, better health, shelter, a moving car (trust me this can be a struggle?)
One way you can practice gratitude is by writing down 3 things you’re grateful for every morning either before work or study.
When you see the good in your day, it will uplift your mood.
SO...HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF YOUR 3 THINGS YET?
4. STAY CONNECTED
If you read my previous post on the simplest ways to make best of communities, I mentioned that being connected helps with our growth and empowers us to continue on our journey.
Staying connected is essential for our mental health, our mood and self-development.
When you’re connected with others, you not only learn how to practice empathy and listening skills, but others can give back or cheer you up when you’re feeling down.
5. HAVE A REST DAY
Familiar to taking a sabbath, rest days have been widely used for centuries. They are important for building strength, endurance and recovery.
Have you ever noticed, that when you take a day out of your busy schedule, you come back ready to conquer your day?
Rest days can be filled with fun activities that you like to do, whether that’s sitting in a park, catching up on your favourite show, hiking, going for a meal with a friend or treating yourself to a DIY spa day. The possibilities are endless.
When I was working in Hong Kong for 2 months, my favourite part of my weekends was hiking. I loved climbing up in the hot sun with friends, exploring new towns and rural places as well as seeing stunning views of HKs landscape.
I’d look forward to these because by Monday, I'd feel refreshed and ready to continue on with my work.
6. MOVE
Get that body moving.
Exercising for most people can be scary, especially if you think of lifting weights or doing HIT workouts on most days.
But moving can be simple by taking walks, using the stairs instead of a lift, stretching or going out for a run.
Studies by frontiers in medicine, show that exercise can help lower blood pressure, promote weight loss and keep your heart healthy. Check out my favourite workout so far.
7. READ FOR GROWTH
Studies have shown that reading can train your brain like a muscle to keep it strong and healthy.
There are many benefits why picking up a book can improve your wellbeing. When you read, you grow and gain knowledge.
"The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to tackle any challenge you’ll ever face."
If you struggle to focus, try reading for 10mins every day. You'll be shocked to find you managed to finish the book and who knows, you'll end up glued to the story of the author.
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." - Joseph Addison
8. SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
Spending time with family and friends is important for building stronger bonds and better connections.
So, it's important to take check in on your family, a spouse or distant family members to see how they're doing.
The one thing that covid taught me is that family matters, friendships need to be nurtured and if you're dating, take time to get to know the person.
9. FIND JOY IN WHAT YOU DO
Recently, I picked up a side job to help save money but also clear out some debt.
On a particular shift delivering parcels to customers, I called through to customer support for more assistance to get a parcel delivered.
The agent that picked up the phone was the most enthusiastic and cheerful guy I’d come across in a while, especially during a pandemic.
I was so fixed on finding something new that I missed finding joy in my everyday job. Since then, every morning before work I remind myself that 'I get to do this.’
You get to do it, whatever that thing is for you. Find ways to enjoy and appreciate what you do, even if you’re pursuing something else.
Remember that you’ll learn something from it, whether it’s communicating well or listening to understand, organising and time management.
You’ll build essential skills that will prepare for your next step or career.
10. SERVE OTHERS
It's easy to have a me, myself & I mindset especially when you're trying to reach your goal, but serving others brings more fulfilment and contentment in life.
In his book 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, John Maxwell references that serving others is fuelled by love and not motivated by manipulations. He gives a few ways of how you can improving helping others in your daily world.
1. Perform small acts of kindness. Find ways today to do small things that show other you care.
2. Learn to walk slowly through the crowd – take notes of people’s names that you meet and take note of their needs and desires. Later when you return try to do something beneficial for half a dozen of those people.
3. Move into action – begin serving with your body, and your heart will eventually catch up. Keep at it until your heart changes.
"It is not the love of self but hatred of self which is at the root of the troubles that afflict our world"– Eric Hoffer.
Lots of Love,
Annette Amanzi
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