What Do You Need to Live Well?
Emotional ups and downs are part of a normal life.
We all experience good days and bad days. Sometimes the good days last for weeks and sometimes the bad days last for months. The ups and downs each of us experience is different for each person as well as the length of time that we stay in that emotional place.
If we could choose, we all would choose to stay in our happy place forever. Even though that is not possible, there are some things that we can do to have more ups than downs.
Ask yourself what you were doing when you were experiencing good days.
Be aware of what was going on in your life when you are at your best. Were there certain habits you were doing? What activities did you do? Were you socializing more than usual?
Journaling will help you to answer some of these questions. Explore every aspect that might helped you to experience these good days. You may even want to keep a record of your daily activities for a few weeks or even months in order to learn what supports you to be at your best.
Healthy daily habits can help us to experience more good days than bad ones.
Habits do not have to be big, hard tasks that are difficult to maintain. It is the little habits that sometimes pack the biggest punch. An example is the habit of writing down one to three things each day that we appreciate in a gratitude journal. This little habit helps us to be more positive and to see the world through optimistic eyes.
Another example is getting sunshine every day and connecting in nature by walking. This habit is shown to help reduce anxiety and stress. The physical benefits include a healthier heart as well as preventing certain diseases.
Healthy habits are those intentional choices we make that empower us to take responsibility for our lives. When we take care of ourselves in this way, not only do we become stronger, we experience more good days.
The habits that keep us living at our best are different for every person.
It is important to know what you need to be well and only you will know that answer. Ask yourself a few questions. What things excite you? What makes you experience joy? What activities nourish your soul? Spend some time thinking about what inspires you.
Once you know what excites the passion within you, identify a habit that will keep you engaged in this activity on a regular basis.
Let’s say you discovered that you are motivated when you are being creative. What type of creativity do you enjoy? Drawing, painting, sewing, writing, woodworking? One habit you could start doing in spending 30 minutes a day on your creative projects.
You may also have noticed that you were in a good place when you are more socially active. A habit you could practice is scheduling time with friends at least once a week or start a weekly book club.
Make these habits part of your daily routine.
Set aside time each day for the habits you identify as helping you to live well. This is preventative self-care. It is a priority for your well-being. The best way to establish these habits is to designate a certain time each day to do them.
As you practice your habits, notice how it affects your life. Journal each day to see if it makes a difference. Test it for yourself. You might also experiment with different habits to see which ones help you the most.
The objective is to live well.
It is important to take responsibility for our own lives. Figuring out what we need is the first step, but we will only experience the benefits of establishing healthy habits if we are able to implement them in our daily lives. Keep trying until you find what works for you and then you will be able to enjoy more good days in your future!
For more information, join me on August 10 for my class, Essential Life Habits. Check Cledo Classes for details.