Are you starting this year off feeling strong? Maybe your 2022 planner is filled, goals determined, strategies mapped out, and you are ready to go!
For me, I have to guard against wanting everything to be perfect. The start of the new year can sometimes make us feel the pressure to be perfect. I have found that a long term plan to keep my mental wellness in check is a good thing. But I also need to make sure I don’t get derailed because of the pressure to have a perfect plan. It’s a rhythm-a delicate ebb and flow between where I authentically am and where I aspire to be.
You know what drives me? I always try to keep the role I play in the lives of the people I love at the front of my mind. For me, it’s my wife Mika, my kids, and my grandkids. You see, for our kids and our grandkids to be mentally healthy, they need the adults surrounding them to be as healthy as possible.
best version of you for the people that you love?
Our social feeds are full of suggestions right now!
-take this
-write that
-drink this
-give up that
-run this
-buy that
Through the years, I have found that when I focus on progress in a few areas, my mental health benefits. I have a few things that I keep in front of me as part of my rhythm to stay in as healthy a space as possible. These steps benefit me and they benefit my family just as much!
Rest
Get enough sleep. Turn your electronics off at night. If you have a tendency to get sucked up in the culture of hustle, be intentional about pausing.
Breath Deep
Sounds simple. But when is the last time you took mindful breaths? Breathe deep. Let your lungs fill with air-hold it-and then exhale. Do this several times a day. I promise, you will be surprised how this small step will impact your mental health.
Drink Water
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Be intentional about the number of ounces you consume in a day. Make a plan to stay hydrated. Don’t wait until the end of the day to guzzle a gallon of water!
Go Outside
Step outside. Take a glass of water with you. Breathe in. Maybe take a walk if the weather is nice. Stare at the sky and thank God for the air you breathe.
Exercise
Whatever that looks like for you-move your body everyday. Maybe you are a runner. Maybe you like to walk or jog. Do you have a gym membership? GREAT! Use it! It’s good to get your heart rate up. Exercise helps my all around disposition. Some days I do more than others-but I know it is important to get up and move.
These five steps will have a positive impact on your mental wellness. And that, in turn, will impact the mental wellness of your kids and grandkids. Our loved ones are healthier when we are healthier. And when they see us model ways to improve our mental wellness, that’s a win in my book!
Remember, it’s about progress not perfection.
And I am here to swim upstream with you,
Toby