The consistent phrase that I hear from friends, and clients recently, is that they feel "off". It's hard to describe this odd feeling many of us share, due to the current history making pandemic that we're living through.
BUT
We can make small daily choices that will help us to feel more in control of our lives and to honour our health. And guess what? These daily choices don't need to be posted on social media for the world to validate...do these things for YOU
SMALL THINGS DONE CONSISTENTLY
ADD UP TO BIG CHANGES
1) Lock up the booze
You don't NEED it. A need is something you require to stay alive. Judgement loostens when alcohol is consumed. Maybe that's indulging in the frozen Christmas squares in your deep freeze, or staying up later than you should, or maybe it's just a way to avoid the things that need doing.
2) End Eating for the Day Between 6-7pm
Give the digestive system a rest and improve your sleep. Stay hydrated and enjoy some caffeine free tea, but if you've nourished your body well through the day, eating after supper is usually out of habit, not hunger.
3) Go for the Damn Walk
Commit to 10 minutes, and I'd bet my bottom dollar that it will turn into more. Maybe it IS only 10 minutes - well that's a few hundred more steps and some deep fresh air breaths that you didn't have before. Oh, and by the way... get your eyes off the sidewalk and look at the sky.
4) Hug The People In Your Home
Every single one of them. From the squishly little babies, to the teens who may seem prickly at times... and even hug that other adult under your roof, that is under more stress than they want to tell you.
And don't you dare be the one in the hug, who lets go first.
5) Drink 8 Glasses of Water
Just do it. It's easy if you plan for it - and water is necessary in all cellular processes in your body. Every organ needs it. You'll pee lots but WHO CARES... we should get up and move often anyway. A trip to the bathroom will add some steps to your day.
6 ) PLAN, PREP, & PACK your Food
Be sure to nourish every 2-3 hours. Pack meals & snacks with all the macronutrients (protein, carbs, good fats). Skip the drive through ... eat real food. Listen to music or a podcast while you cut your veggies.
7) Wash & Style Your Hair
Enough said. A shower can do wonders to untwist us.
Got some extra grays showing on your rooftop? Don't worry - everyone else at the grocery check out has them too. Its winter - wear a cute touque.
8) Decide on a Topic that you're Passionate About
What gets you excited in life? What do you want to know more about?
Maybe it's photography, or religion, or cooking...take 20 minutes and study your passion. Read an article, research the topic, and indulge in that passion.
9) PLAY
If you have children, see the world through their eyes right now. If you're OK - they'll be OK. PLAY with them - throw a ball around, hide & seek, ask your teen to show you what Tik Tok or Visco is all about...ask them what the hype is and maybe even make a tik tok (again, it doesn't need to be shared on social media. Save the funny video you make for just you and your teen as a memory)
10) WRITE DOWN WHERE YOU'RE AT IN LIFE
AND WHERE YOU WANT TO GO
You can't hit a target you can't see.
Write down in a journal or just a sheet of paper, HOW you're doing right now. Whether it's good, bad, or ugly (or all three within the last hour), put your head to hand and take inventory of your life.
Then decide who your ideal self & life is. Draw & describe the landscape of your life 2 years from now.
Don't blame covid for not progressing in life right now....and if I ever hear anyone say "I'm bored", I'm sorry but it's friends off ;)
Like my mom has always told me..."only boring people get bored"
11) BONUS TIP!
Delete your Social Media apps for 24 hours
All that time that is normally spent looking at other people's filtered lives, would be time well spent crafting your own. Research your passions instead, or search up ideas and resources to craft your children's experiences and exposure to big ideas.
Take notice of how you feel after 24 hours of being off social media. Understand yourself and your need to be on it. I'm not saying stay off it forever - but do a 24 hour experiment with yourself to see how looking INWARD, gets your further than keeping track of what others are doing.
Keep. Moving. Forward.
Small changes done consistenly = Big Changes In Life & Health
With Love,
Colleen
