In the health and wellness community, we hear quite a few buzz words — phrases such as self-care, mindfulness, best life living, or emotional growth. All of these phrases turned into action give human beings a great deal of happiness. However, finding balance and practical application can be complicated. How does a person go about achieving a productive and fulfilling life? What skills do you possess, what skills need more work? What is in your tool kit?
Let’s talk about a few essential tools that set a great foundation.
- Self-care
- Time management
- No complaining / Gratitude
Self-care can mean many things. There are some misnomers concerning self-care. Often self-care is associated with massages, spa trips, and twice a week therapy. Self-care can have a negative connotation as being feminine or selfish. However, self-care is necessary and life-changing. The key to self-care is finding inexpensive or free things to do to that speak to your needs, whatever your circumstances are. I like to read a magazine for at least an hour every week. Taking this action helps me unplug from electronics and gets the creative part of my brain going. Some people like to take hikes, naps, or journal. All of these activities can help recharge you and change your mood.
Time management is a crucial component in any well-rounded tool kit. Time management pushes a human being to be present and honest. Time management helps you discover what you truly value. When a person questions what they value, the popular answers are often- spending time with family, traveling, and physical health. More often than not, these values don’t line up with how a person manages or spends their time. The United States population averages 50 hours a week at work and 30 hours a week on smartphones. With 80 hours devoted to work and tech, that leaves little time for what a person values. Time management begins with self-reflection and assessment. What do you spend your time on? Do you like how you feel when you’re spending time on your phone? Do you like the results you are getting in your life?
Being mindful of complaining is a significant first step in eliminating negative self-talk and finding joy in the present. Taking action in this practice allows for additional space for gratitude. So, how does a person practice this? Start with setting an intention or goal during your morning. The starting goal will be not to complain about anything for at least two hours. No complaining to yourself or anyone about your hair, weight, traffic, family, pets, job, boss- nothing. This is a hard practice, and succeeding will take time. When you find yourself complaining (which is a natural thing we all do), pause and try two things. One, ask yourself how your actions make you feel. Are you looking for a solution or living in the past? Two, allow yourself to be human and error, then start over.
These are a few essential tools we try to practice. Picking up stools and discarding tools that no longer serve you is a life long process. Try to practice one or two; find what works for you. Every tool kit is different.
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