Good changes might include commuting by walking or biking, cutting back on alcohol or cigarettes, getting up earlier, going to bed earlier, reducing time on the internet or a device, scheduling time for yourself, or trying a new recipe each week.
For instance, instead of saying, “I should’ve prepared more for that presentation,” give yourself credit for what you did do. For example, “I did the best that I could given the tight deadline, and my coworkers told me it was helpful. ” Turn statements expressing worries into hopeful statements. You could turn a thought like, “I’m so nervous for this test” into a statement like, “This test is going to be tough, but I’m going to do my best. ”
Short-term goals include: quitting smoking, walking for 30 minutes per day, connecting with friends and family once a week, reading 1 book a month, and setting aside 2 hours per week for art and creativity. Long-term goals include: saving money for a deposit on a house, building your resumé to apply for a new job, having children within the next 5 years, and saving enough money to go back to school.
Create a list of things you’ve always wanted to try, whether it’s going to the new cafe that opened downtown or learning how to speak Italian. Take a step to cross 1 item off your list every day.
For example, instead of saying “I don’t have time to work toward my goals,” you could say, “I’m not making enough time throughout the week to work toward my goals. ” If you find yourself saying “I can’t” a lot, replace it with “I don’t want to. ” This can help show you that you have authority over your own life.
The more you accept yourself for who you are, the more others will, too. Remember that you should only compare yourself against who you were in the past, not against anyone else.
If meeting new people is difficult, start small. Look for a local community event in your local paper or have a video chat with a close friend in another location. Try to schedule something at the same time every week so it becomes a regular part of your life.
It’s important to have a support system. If you need help or advice, you can approach someone that you’ve networked with since they’re in the same field as you.
You could say something like, “Unfortunately, that doesn’t work for me. ” Or, “No, I’m unavailable. ”
This is especially important when your decisions involve other people. You can take their opinions into account, but don’t let them sway you every time!
Say something like, “Hey, I felt kind of sad when you didn’t invite me to that party. In the future, could you just shoot me a quick text to see if I’m available?” Or, “I need you to let me know in advance when you’re having company over so I can prepare myself. ”
If you have a dog, try to take them out for a walk once a day. This will get you both out of the house and into a good exercise routine.
Nuts, avocados, flaxseed, beans, leafy greens, and fresh fruit are all great brain food. Caffeine, alcohol, trans fats, sugary snacks, and fried food can all negatively impact your mood. It’s okay to have things like this occasionally, but try not to have them every day.
A consistent sleep schedule will help you regulate your mood and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle each day.
Doing meditation on your own can be tough at first. Look up some guided meditation videos on YouTube to walk you through the process when you first start.
It can also help you make new connections and befriend people who are a positive influence on your life.
