Best Self-Care Tips to Help You Commit to Your Goals
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Parris Kidd
Changing seasons of life can produce a variety of reactions and emotions, ranging from excitement to worry.
Those in the latter camp may be struggling with how to get back into the flow of everyday life after a transition. Others, who readily embrace change, may be eager to establish a new routine.
No matter where you fall on the spectrum, it’s normal to feel a certain amount of uncertainty or uneasiness as you enter a new phase of life.
Here’s how people with different personalities might react to their new normal:
Extroverts
Extroversion is usually linked to higher coping skills, which can translate to better resilience. Extroverts typically thrive in social situations and savor personal interactions with others. However, their busy lifestyle may prevent them from slowing down long enough to enjoy some of life’s simple moments.
Introverts
Introverts may need time to recharge their batteries after socializing with others. This doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike people, just that they need their space. The challenge for many introverts is to gradually populate their social calendar with meaningful experiences without sacrificing the alone time they cherish.
Regardless or your personality type, adapting to a new routine or phase of life can present many challenges, as well as opportunities. Here are several ways to maintain your physical and mental well-being in the midst of life’s changes…
10 Ways to Get Back Into the Swing of Things
Start on a Positive Note
An effective routine is to begin each morning by saying something like, “Today is going to be a great day!” Such a simple sentence can cause your brain to look for ways to fulfill that affirmative statement. It also establishes a healthy thought pattern you can continue throughout the day.
Focusing on positive thoughts helps your brain discover ways to turn them into reality. This simple strategy can make a significant difference in your life, so do it first thing in the morning to set the tone for your entire day.
Change Your Perspective
Perhaps something has recently disrupted your daily schedule, creating a variety of lifestyle changes that have impacted your focus, sleep, and mood. Or maybe the unique stresses of these uncertain times have impaired your ability to cope, making you feel completely overwhelmed much of the time.
You can’t stop what’s happening around the globe, but you can change what’s going on inside your brain to prevent fear from dominating your life. Training your brain to think about the things you can control, and not about the things you can’t, can help relieve anxiousness and provide a more optimistic outlook.
Just Breathe
Whenever you feel worried, frustrated, angry, or tense, do a deep breathing exercise. Take a deep breath, hold it for one to two seconds, and then slowly exhale for about five seconds. Do this 10 times and you should start to feel relaxed.
It sounds so simple, but breathing is essential to life. When you slow down and become more efficient with your breathing, you may find that your problems aren’t as dire as you thought they were before you started the exercise.
Continue Self-Care
Continue to practice self-care with brain healthy habits such as exercising, eating right, meditating, getting good sleep, and challenging negative thoughts. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do to get back into the swing with a new routine.
Make time for yourself every day. Taking breaks for meditation and relaxation provides benefits for both your physical and mental health. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may give you a fresh perspective.
Clearing your mind and slowing your breathing can help restore inner calm. Repeating a simple Loving Kindness Meditation like, “May I be safe and secure,” can increase positive thoughts and decrease negative ones.
Practice Mindfulness
One of the best ways to achieve a state of calm is with mindfulness. Yoga, tai chi, and other mindfulness practices can help reduce anxious and depressive thoughts and increase focus. Some studies¹ show that daily mindfulness can help improve your brain.
Smile and Laugh
The simple act of smiling can help trigger the release of the feel-good transmitters dopamine and serotonin. Smiling may trick your brain into believing you’re happy, which can produce feelings of happiness.
Laughter can help relieve stress, especially in difficult situations. Humor can lighten the mood and make things feel a little less tense. In fact, having a good laugh can give you a much-needed mood boost.
Outdoor Activities
Engaging in outdoor activities is important for people of all ages, and is a great way to get back into the swing without the added stress of being in a crowd of people. Exercise can help boost blood flow to deliver oxygen and positive nutrients to the brain and other organs. Physical activity also has been associated with improved mood² and a more optimistic outlook on life.
Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding, being outdoors can have an overall positive effect on vitality. Walking can help clear your mind, improve your mood, and burn some calories all at the same time.
Stay Connected
Social connections are incredibly important to your overall well-being. Focusing your time and energy on positive people can have a dramatic impact on your everyday life and longevity.
Set up a lunch date with a friend and eat your meal outside if the weather is nice. Having a one-on-one conversation with a friend or family member is a great way to get back into the swing of things socially.
Pamper Yourself
Getting a massage can do more than just improve your physical function. Clinical studies indicate that a massage is beneficial for improving mood and coping with stress.³ Massages may help to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and increase the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
Go Slow
It’s important not to overdo it as you get back into the swing of things. Establishing a new routine can be stressful for you and everyone in your family.
It’s recommended to take things one step at a time. Gradually add activities or social events back into your schedule. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, remove activities from your calendar until you, and your family, find the sweet spot.
We hope these self-care and stress-reducing techniques help you – and your friends and family – get back in the swing so you can live your best life.
At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
References:
- Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006
- Mahindru, A., Patil, P., & Agrawal, V. (2023). Role of physical activity on mental health and well-being: A review. Cureus, 15(1), e33475. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33475
- Meier, M., Unternaehrer, E., Dimitroff, S. J., Benz, A. B. E., Bentele, U. U., Schorpp, S. M., Wenzel, M., & Pruessner, J. C. (2020). Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory: A block randomized, controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 14774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71173-w
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