Grow Yourself!

In the past year and a half, I think we’ve all been shaken up – not always in a good way. So it’s really important to take good care of ourselves and resist the urge to curl up in a ball and retreat from the world. That’s the safe route but it’s not always the best one.

Here are some suggestions to help you improve your mental and emotional health and get you on a positive growth pathway.

1 – Try something new – paint a picture, learn a new dance, try a different restaurant. You won’t like every new thing you try – but you’ll enjoy some of them. And those experiences will add richness to your life.

2 – Express appreciation to someone. It’s important to learn to verbally connect with others. And letting them know you’re grateful for things they’ve done is a great start.

3 – Take time to laugh. This is something children do instinctively – as adults we tend to lose this. So watch a funny video, read a joke book, play with dogs or kids – and enjoy the silliness! Laughter is healing and really good for you.

4 – Ditch the technology – even if just for a while. Go for a walk without your cell phone, ignore email, and turn off your computer. Focus on connecting face to face instead of electronically.

5 – Write it out. Start journaling – the things you’re grateful for, the things that annoy you, your goals and dreams – write them all down. It’s a great way to process and work through things – and it’s free!

6 – Work on letting go. Learning to forgive – yourself and others – is one of the most empowering things you can do. It takes practice but is totally worth it.

7 – Are you feeling stressed? Smile. It lowers your heart rate, reduces pain, strengthens your immune system and increases endurance. Plus you look better!