Since moving abroad, one of the most apparent differences in my life has been acknowledging the everyday intrigues and struggles of adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. After two or three weeks of living in London, I struggled with maintaining a positive attitude throughout a the day, especially when I felt I was falling behind in achieving my goals. It wasn't until I created a routine which I could realistically and consistently follow that I started to feel like I was moving forward again. Here are some activities and strategies I practice everyday to maintain a positive and health mindset:
1. Start Your Day Right: Morning Routine
Establish a consistent morning routine to set a positive tone for the day.
Include energy boosting pursuits like taking a walk, practicing yoga, or lifting weights to boost endorphins. If you are in need of a quick, at-home workout channel, check out "MadFit". Reading/ listening to a book or podcast is also a great way to induce mental energy and improve motivations, especially if they align with your desired goals.
I am not a morning person, so I like to start my day slowly and methodically with opening blinds, watering the plants, making a cup of tea, and/or moving through a yoga flow.
2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Centering Yourself
Introduce mindfulness bits at a time in your morning routine. For example, as you water the plants, clear your mind of distracting worries about how the day will go, focus on your actions, the life and nutrients you provide the plants, and the joy they bring you in turn.
Meditation is difficult to for us hyperactive thinkers, but not impossible. Even five minutes a day will greatly improve your mental wellbeing. Check out YouTube or Spotify guided meditation playlists for an easy introduction, or read one of my favorite books, The Miracle of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hahn for in-depth practices.
I highly encourage mindfulness breaks during the day, even amidst a busy schedule. When I worked in an office, I would take a ten minute break to walk outside and acknowledge the beautiful outdoors, soaking in the fresh air, and excluding work from my thoughts.
3. Yoga for Physical and Mental Balance
Practicing yoga is one of the best ways to maintain a positive mindset and refresh your body while only taking 10-20 minutes out of you day. It is one of the best ways to increase one's mind-body connection and practice rejuvenating breathing techniques.
My favorite at-home yoga channel is "Yoga with Adrienne". This channel caters to every skill level and is inclusive of varying fitness goals.
4. Journaling: Unleashing Creativity and Gratitude
Journaling has proved to be an outlet for me in so many ways. It is the epitome of self-reflection that augments daily mindfulness. It is an opportunity to show gratitude and encourage creativity within yourself. I even use it to practice my foreign language skills!
I recently read a book called Act Your Age, Eve Brown (fantastic book btw) that reflected on journaling as less of a commitment than having a diary, but still providing the self-reflection and nutrients of one. Although I would like to say I journal everyday, I realistically journal 3-5 times a week. However, even journaling solely when you feel the desire and without any expectation is one of the most freeing acts one can accomplish for themself.
5. Learning and Growth: A Daily Goal
Although you cannot achieve greatness in a single day, set a goal for yourself that is motivating enough to work at bit by bit, everyday. This especially will help you flourish and gain a valuable skill!
I recommend learning a new language as a growth exercise. Right now I am learning German and Spanish by taking online classes, listening to podcasts/music (I recommend the "Coffee Break Languages" channel), watching TV shows and movies, and practicing daily with the Duolingo app and Clozemaster.
Other fantastic goals include learning to code, practicing cooking, playing a new instrument, flexibility and balance training, a new sport, crocheting and knitting... The list could go on. Find a new, interesting skill that helps you relax and grow.
6. Surround Yourself with Positivity
Limiting exposure to negative influences -- both online and offline -- has been the hardest routine to integrate, but it is so influential to cut out even the little things like scrolling before bed or replacing social media with a good book.
As important as it is to exclude external negative influences from your life, one also has to look internally at the negative emotions, thoughts, and affirmations you may be putting on yourself. Removing these and allowing self-love is one of the most difficult but rewarding aspects to maintaining a healthy wellbeing.
Please note, although each of these suggestions are beneficial to the mind and soul, the most important aspect to maintaining daily positivity is forgiving yourself for not completing each task and to acknowledge every success. When I first moved away from home, I constantly beat myself up for not having a job, not knowing where I was living, not exercising daily, not practicing my language skills, and on and on and on. Instead, it took me several weeks to realize that in order to improve my mental wellbeing, I had to forgive myself for not checking off every box in the to do list and to start everyday by loving and cherishing myself. I accomplished this by being mindful of even my smallest successes. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says, "Do the dishes, to do the dishes." Live your life, to live your life. Focus on the now instead of the next step.
I hope these posts have been helpful and interesting! Please let me know if there are any specific questions you want me to address with these.
Best,
Hailey
P.S. Here are some cute animals to brighten your day :)
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