Every day nurturing activities which can boost well-being and have a ripple effect on your life
When was the last time you felt genuinely calm, clear and confident about yourself, living on purpose and what your future holds? Was it today? Last week? Or has it been a couple of years? Is it too long ago to remember?
This question often feels hard to answer because our lives are so multidimensional. Admittedly, it can also be difficult to strike a balance where all things in life feel ‘on track’ at once. Rest assured, it is normal to not always feel excited or content about everything in your life and the direction it is heading in. However, when you feel lost, overwhelmed or 'off track', it is important to remember two inescapable truths which can liberate you from fear, doubt and despair:
TRUTH # 1: YOU CANNOT GET IT WRONG.
TRUTH # 2: YOU CAN NEVER GET IT DONE.
What’s more, the reason you cannot get it wrong, is because you can never get it done.
Why? Because life (which is the ‘it’ we are talking about here) is eternally unfolding around you, and moment-by-moment you can have a wonderful experience where deeper purpose and meaning is accessible to you, if you are willing to embrace the joy of the learning process. The wisdom and growth of our past experiences also has the power to teach us how to deliberately create the life we want moving forward.
In times when you are struggling, it is vital to remember that you are here to create your own life experience and you have endless opportunities to do this minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and day-by-day. You additionally have everything you need to gather the materials, subject matter and tools to create a life of your choosing, a life on your terms which is pleasing to YOU.
If you don’t know where to start, here are some every day nurturing activities which can boost your well-being and have a ripple effect on your life.
ACTIVITY # 1. DEVELOP A MORNING ROUTINE THAT HELPS YOU FEEL GOOD TO SET THE RIGHT TONE FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY
Research tells us that how we spend our morning really matters. Our morning habits set the tone for our day and studies evidence that what we cultivate in the morning influences how we feel, think and act during the rest of our day. If we are consistent in caring about how we start our day (and we start the day doing something that feels good) we generally consistently start to feel better over time.
For me, starting my days with a healthy breakfast, a coffee in the sunshine, some meditation and breathwork never fails to help me feel both rested and energised. But do you know what works for you? Perhaps it is exercise or a gratitude list or waking up to your favourite song... If you're unsure, there are many simple things you can try to create a morning routine that works for you. For anyone looking for inspiration on how to get the most out of their morning, the buttons below provide links to some ideas.
ACTIVITY # 2. PAMPER YOURSELF WITH DEDICATED SELF-CARE AND SELF-SOOTHING RITUALS THAT INCORPORATE YOUR FIVE SENSES
There is a diverse range of soothing self-care rituals which can boost calm and well-being - but those which incorporate two or more of our senses have been proven to most effectively anchor us in a way that immerses our minds and bodies in 'the now'. When we simultaneously indulge our senses (trying to harness our ability to see, touch, hear, smell and taste at the same time) it can also help us to quickly activate the brain's pleasure receptors and regulate our emotions and stress levels.
Activating both a sense of touch and smell, essential oils have a range of recorded health benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, alleviating migraines and headaches and facilitating sleep. Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can also be a quick, affordable way to pair a self-soothing ritual with bed, bath or shower time.
Different oils are suitable for different purposes, but Australian made body positive skin care leader, BOPO WOMEN, offers a variety of reasonably priced (pregnancy-friendly) non-toxic oils which can be applied directly to the skin. You can try massaging a little of the oil into your temples, wrists or neck after a shower or before bed or even add a few drops into a relaxing bath. Alternatively, adding a few drops to a diffuser in your office or bedroom can be just as effective with essential oils such as those available at AURASCENT.
TIP: Remember that the more senses we engage, the faster we reach our good-feeling place, so challenge yourself to think of ways to incorporate as many of your senses as you can in these experiences. Using the oils while listening to your favourite music playlist can be a good way to do this. But what others can you think of?
ACTIVITY # 3. USE TOOLS TO HELP YOU TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION
When we are looking for direction in our lives the answers always reside inside of us. But sometimes we just need a little help to access the information we seek in the distracting hustle and bustle of daily life.
The modality of coaching is based on this reality and designed to help people achieve their potential by having a trusted professional: (a) ask targeted questions which promote reflection; (b) encourage activities which facilitate self-discovery and growth; and (c) foster effective support and accountability mechanisms to help you achieve your goals. However, if you don't have the budget for private coaching sessions, guidance cards can be a useful tool to help you tap into your intuition, focus and better align with what you want.
Guidance cards for adults (sometimes referred to as affirmation or oracle cards) can also be a fun means of tapping into key messages from your subconscious and refocusing your attention for the day. What's more, with so many different card options available, you can enjoy the process of finding the card deck that resonates with you. The photo above features a few of my personal favourites and if you are curious about how to begin using the cards, the buttons below provide some basic instructions.
TIP: Generally speaking, meditation (quieting the mind) or journalling (expressive and reflective writing) are also commonly used tools which are effective for tapping into one's sense of 'inner knowing' and wisdom. If these practices work for you, it is definitely worth trying to make them a habit, but understandably they may not suit everyone.
ACTIVITY # 4. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY
Finally, our daily environment has a significant impact on our mood.
Research tells us that the spaces and places we spend our time in (combined with the people and resources we surround ourselves with), significantly contribute to our sense of self and well-being. For example, not only can our physical environment influence our behaviour and motivation levels, but it can also facilitate or discourage our social interaction with others and create or reduce stress in our lives. This being the case, consciously considering what changes we can engineer in our homes and offices, to improve our mood and make us feel better, can have a huge impact in our lives.
As humans also have constantly evolving emotions, it is important to regularly review and refresh our environment as our life circumstances change. This ensures we can continue to surround ourselves with things which create joy in our world as our tastes and preferences evolve over time. For ideas on where to start, check out the links below.
TIP: Adding visual aids such as vision boards and key reminders of our goals can also have a significant impact for those who are visual learners. Similarly, if ecotherapy is a modality that works for you, adding indoor living plants to your spaces can help to bring a rejuvenating sense of the environment to you.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this article represents the individual ideas of the writer alone and outlines general advice only. It does not replace individual, independent or personal advice, mental health treatment and/or crisis support. Coaching does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental health disorder and does not substitute for therapy from a licensed professional if necessary. Should you require emergency crisis support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or see your GP to discuss a mental health care plan which can help you access the support you need.