Below are a few techniques to initiate active listening: Commence by typing out your thoughts, using a pen and paper. Pose questions such as, „How can I experience more and feel less?” or „What has been troubling me lately?”.
Reflect on your daily self-talk comprehensively. What emotions and sensations have you been experiencing recently? What issues are causing you stress? What brings you joy? While a professional can assist with such matters, you can undertake this process yourself by becoming more mindful and identifying your thoughts and emotions.
Engage in meditation.
If writing proves challenging, you can start with meditation and breathing exercises. Meditation involves shifting our brainwaves from Beta to Alpha, enabling us to access the software of our mind. This leads us into a state of relaxation and digestion, reducing the impact of stress and cortisol. It may feel strange or comforting to clear your mind, and you don’t have to assume the traditional cross-legged position.
Find a serene environment, play a soothing soundtrack on Spotify or YouTube, and begin by focusing on your breath. Count up to 5 and then pause at 7. You can establish a verbal cue like „release” to accompany each breath and allow your mind to wander (though you should bring it back if it strays too far).
„Mediation is not a means to silence the mind. It is a method of entering the silence that already exists, concealed beneath the 50,000 thoughts the average person has each day.” – Deepak Chopra.
This becomes easier with practice. Once you become aware of your thoughts, you can halt an emotion without expressing it. Remember, our reactions to these situations and our perception of them can evoke various emotions.
Start incorporating motivational phrases.
Place them in locations where you will encounter them daily, such as your phone or mirror. Familiarize yourself with positive affirmations. Doing so is an excellent way to begin dismantling any negative neural processes you may have been employing for an extended period.
Focus on diet and exercise.
We understand that exercise and proper nutrition benefit our well-being, so if you haven’t already, start somewhere. It’s about prioritizing yourself and your body, so reduce your consumption of processed sugars and carbs, increase your intake of healthy fats and vegetables, incorporate lean protein, and start breaking a sweat. These actions will make you less susceptible to negative attitudes and will positively impact your hormones.
These strategies are worth investing your time in. Only you can be held accountable for your relationship with yourself. Yes, other people can influence how you perceive yourself, but only if you allow them to. Engage in self-reflection and reclaim your power to let others negatively affect you, and make a commitment to fostering a healthy relationship with yourself. Not only will those around you begin to notice, but your overall performance in various aspects of your life will improve.
There has never been a more opportune time to begin than during quarantine! If the demands of life have left you physically exhausted and mentally drained, it might be time to prioritize self-care. Taking care of yourself entails more than just adhering to a few maintenance routines. Here are ten effective ways to nurture yourself. It is crucial to care for your body, mind, and spirit on a daily basis, not just when you are unwell.
Learning to eat healthily, reduce stress, exercise regularly, and take breaks when needed are fundamental aspects of self-care that can help you maintain wellness, happiness, and resilience. However, practicing self-care is not always easy. Many of us lead hectic lives, have demanding jobs, or become excessively preoccupied with technology, leaving little time for ourselves.