6 Tips To Get Along With Yourself - The Best Ways To Start Being Your Own Best friend
It is in our human nature to want to help others. However, it is also a way to avoid taking care of ourselves and self-care remains on the back burner. Then there comes a day when you stop and ask yourself if you are okay. When was the last time you had a long shower or a home cooked meal? Or did something special for yourself, like you do for others By forgetting to check in with yourself both mentally and physically, eventually both become vulnerable to failure. Instead, focus on these six tips that will get you on the path to becoming your own best friend:
1.Practice self-care basics daily
When daily life becomes busy and schedules to keep are needed, self-care becomes a chore. Showers must be done late at night, eating dinner consists of microwaved frozen meals while doing the laundry. By the time you are ready for bed, a quick brush of your teeth is all you can muster. With a small change in your schedule this can reap great rewards for your health.
Allow yourself an extra thirty minutes. Use the first twenty minutes in the morning for a longer shower and personal cares. Then use the last ten minutes in the evening. Use those additional minutes to give yourself a quick facial or proper shave. Not only does this allow you to feel better as you go about your day but gives you a sense of self-pride in your appearance.
2. Give yourself a time out
As children, we were sent to time out when we behaved poorly. At that time, we saw that as punishment. As an adult, you cannot remember the last time you gave yourself a break to reset your emotions. In fact, a recent study conducted by quantumworkplace.com concluded, “38 percent of respondents reported having meal breaks that are less than 30 minutes. 35 percent said they eat their meals at their desks or workstations every day. 22 percent said they take zero work breaks, excluding restroom and meal breaks.” Over time, this leads to a higher risk of burnout.
At work, try having your lunch outdoors for fresh air and much needed Vitamin D. This is also a great time to go for a quick walk for exercise. When home, set up a space where you can keep things that bring calmness. This can look like your favorite blankets, books you want to read and most importantly, a quiet space. Give yourself the time to reset your mood and level your emotions.
3. Say goodbye to the perfect image
Bigger homes, fancier cars, or dream vacations, seems to dominate the web when seeking the perfect lifestyle. All our lives we compare ourselves to other peer’s riches. From the neighbor boy who got the newest cell phone to the friend who owns a boat and a home. Consistently, we strive to obtain those things to achieve the best. Not only is this unhealthy for your self-esteem but can mentally cause depression if the need is not met.
Instead, capitalize on what you do have and can control. Maybe focus on why you would like a boat. For fishing, skiing, or simply a place to relax. Then control that reason. Perhaps a canoe would fill your needs and be more economical. Not only does this quelch your jealousy but gives you self-pride in your new hobby.
4. Re-think your nutrition
Think about your daily diet. Do you find you visit the local drive-thru more often than you realized? Does breakfast consist of a cup of coffee and a few bites of cold cereal? Over time, this can lead to obesity and heart issues. Without proper nutrition, the body can not provide the energy needed each day to function properly.
If morning schedules are filled with more tasks, prepare your food in the evening. Start packing your lunches to cut down costs and focus on quality and not quantity. Such as cold vegetables for snacking and sandwiches filled with protein. Even a peanut butter and jelly sandwich contains more protein than a fast-food hamburger and provides healthier nutrients and natural energy. Too add onto your morning coffee, grab a yogurt or a low sugar granola bar on your way out the door.
5. Praise yourself often
While we often praise others for their actions or behaviors, we forget to compliment ourselves. Maybe you finished a special project early at work, and you barely acknowledged the goal. Or, perhaps you finally cleaned out the junk drawer and marked it off as another chore. When we do not acknowledge our achievements, we create boredom from our brain sensors. The mind needs flattery to assure its proper and healthy function.
Next time you complete a few chores around the house, mentally tell yourself good job. “I am pleased I finished this project; I am proud of myself.” Keep practicing this praise after each chore. Before you know it, the chores will be finished, and you will feel good about your accomplishments.
6. Some days will test you
Though your mood might be calm, dealing with the community is a different story. Every person you come across has completely different emotions, sometimes leading to anger or silence. Over the course of the day, the more friction that you experience, the more likely your own emotions will adapt to the latter behavior. Instead, keep yourself calm and empathetic to other people’s actions, by reminding yourself that you will not accept those negative vibes.
When your mind and body are healthy, it is less susceptible to pessimism. The next time someone begins using inappropriate voice tones, adjust your tone and posture to show openness and calmness. This reflects to the other peer that you are not a barrier to their beliefs. Walk away knowing you remained calm and factual. Move on with your day.
𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠
By recognizing and managing our own behavior, we can adapt easier to changes that our minds and bodies need to keep thriving. As 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥 famously once quoted,
