Tag: self love

How To Be Happy In Life Despite Your Circumstances
The truth is, everyone wants to be happy. That’s why we do all we can to discover the means to be happy. But happiness is a choice. Today I’ll share some tips on how to be happy in life no matter where you find yourself in your life journey.

We are wrong about many things we believe about happiness. Most of the places we go, or the things we do, or even the ideas we buy do not guarantee happiness.

For instance, we all want to be successful in everything we do, in order to be happy. But in reality, we just CAN’T be successful in every aspect of life… There are so many attempts we make that are bound to fail. For that reason, we fail to find happiness in our quest for success!

Moreover, many of us also chase money by virtually every means all in the hope of finding true happiness in it. Yes, we become happier with the more money we make but such happiness is usually short-lived because;
- While we make money, we also lose money every day and that doesn’t bring happiness.
- Even when we keep making money, there are problems money doesn’t solve. In that case, nothing like happiness.
- Money brings you comfort but also makes you uncomfortable because you will be worried about how to ensure you never go broke again. Research has it that rich people have sleepless nights more than average people. Now, does that depict happiness?
- Nobody is seemingly satisfied with the amount he has. The more money you make, the more you want. You can’t call this happiness!
Besides the ill sides of money, there are many other reasons why you are simply wrong to think that money or success bring true happiness… Because true happiness is not short-lived. It is not a destination, it is also not a permanent state of feeling good. Happiness is not materialistic.

How to be happy in life

With all that said above, what then is happiness?

To explain this, I would simply say that happiness is when you are content with yourself and your life. Happiness is when you choose to be happy even amidst difficulties.

Moreover, in order to have real happiness, you have to intentionally make efforts to address all the areas of your life that can trigger your feelings and emotions.

Now, that brings us to how to be happy in life despite the circumstances you find yourself… Are you ready? Let’s go!

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Practice Gratitude

More often than not, people insinuate that they will be happy if they acquire something or if a certain thing happens. Unfortunately, that is not the case because happiness doesn’t depend on material or immaterial things.

Have you ever heard that happiness is bought?

Nah, it can’t be!

Sure, when something pleasant is added to your life, you’re bound to be happy about it. But the question is, will such happiness be sustained?

The only way you can acquire sustainable joy is when you are grateful for the things you’ve got already and stay content with them. This way, you’ll realize that those material things are not essential for your happiness. Hence, your source of happiness will become innate.

Now, let’s be practical;

Think about those things you really desire to have… The fact that you don’t have them is enough to make you unhappy. But also, think about what you already have at hand that you are grateful for, I’m sure that makes you happier?

That’s exactly what the power of gratitude is all about. A grateful man is a happier man but a man whose happiness depends on obtaining more has a greater tendency to be sad. Because there is no guarantee that you’d get all you want in life! At least, not without working towards it.

Do Away With Negative Thoughts

We are all familiar with those waves of negative thoughts or emotions that run across our minds at times…

Now, note this; such emotions or thoughts are the greatest enemies of a happy life! Once you can deal with them, then your happiness is assured!

It might interest you to know that negative thoughts are inescapable as long as life is concerned. It’s normal to have such moments. However, you don’t have to give it room to linger for long. You must learn how to deal with it if you must be happy.

Harbouring any negative thought or emotion for long will definitely affect how you act and feel over time. Of course, you don’t want this.

Walk Away From Toxic Relationships

Sometimes, the people you hang around with can influence your emotions. They play a big role in your happiness or sadness. Do you doubt that?

Okay, how do you feel after spending time with your friends or colleagues who have negative things to say about you? Pretty hurt, I guess. Compare that to the feeling you get when you are around those who have words of motivation and encouragement to offer you. Uplifting, yes?

That’s exactly why you have to be careful about who you let into your circle!

Sure, in life, you will have different kinds of people interacting with you at different times, however, you must be smart enough to know what’s good for you. Remember, it’s all about your happiness.

Therefore, don’t hesitate to walk away from that toxic relationship. That’s exactly how to be happy in life!

Practice Self Love

There is no way you can stay happy if you don’t love yourself, because true happiness stems from love. And if you must exhibit love generally, you must start by loving yourself. If you’re of the mindset that you’re not good enough, then you have to start giving yourself some credit. If you can’t, who then do you expect to appreciate you the way you deserve?

As a matter of fact, in order to learn how to be happy in life, you must start by being happy with who you are. Treat yourself with love, just like you want others to treat you!

It’s not selfish to love yourself, it’s just a way to set an example to others on how they should treat you. If you fail to love yourself unconditionally, there is no way you’ll find true happiness from any other source.

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Be Yourself

We all have our uniqueness and peculiarities, and for that, we have to be ourselves the best way we can.

It really doesn’t matter if you agree with me on this, but nobody is perfect. While you sit and watch someone else who seems to be too good, always have in mind that such a person has his or her own downside.

Having that in mind, you must learn how to be yourself and not someone else. Know who you are and become better at whatever you do. Be the best version of yourself because that’s what self-actualization entails.

One way to start practicing this is to learn how to focus on you and not others. Don’t always feel the need to impress others. Rather, you should be more concerned about being you, getting better, and living authentically.

Related: How To Stop Worrying What Others Think And Live Your Own Life

Discover Your Purpose

One of the best ways to discover how to be happy in life is to find out your life’s purpose.

As far as life is concerned, there are certain capacities inside us that need to be unlocked. In other words, there are lots of potentials you must explore. And unless you unlock those capacities and discover those potentials, then you can’t boldly say that you’ve found your purpose on earth.

For instance, you might have certain activities you’re passionate about (things that give you joy and the sense of fulfilment once you do them); be it writing, singing, sport, teaching, etc. Those are probably in line with your purpose in life.

Once you are unhappy at your place of work, then there is a big possibility you’re in the wrong place. No one is unhappy if what he/she is doing is the exact purpose of their existence!

There is this genuine happiness that comes with doing what you love to do. When you find out that you are living your purpose on earth, it brings an unending satisfaction.

However, remember that your purpose doesn’t have to be narrowed down to a particular thing. They can be as many as whatever you do that give you peace of mind.

Render Help To Others

There is a popular notion which points out that we rise when we lift other people. Similarly, when you render help, you will be happier.

Your question now might be; how will “helping others” make me happy?

Here is how it works:

When you help others by giving them your time, resources, or care, it definitely makes them happy. And they will appreciate you. You will feel great when people appreciate your kind gestures.

But mind you, helping others doesn’t mean you should be a people-pleaser. After all, you are only helping them out of your own magnanimity, not because you are compelled to do so.

When it becomes part of you to help others, your confidence keeps growing with every problem you solve. It gives you that awesome feeling of being useful. And hence, as a habitual helper, your happiness and satisfaction in life will be habitual as well.

Makes sense, right?

Adopt A Healthy Lifestyle

Surely, there are ways of life, habits, attitudes, or behaviours that will definitely not encourage a happy life. For instance, when you encounter one of those normal sad moments in life and decide to cure it with alcohol, that’s a good way to damage yourself slowly (especially when you make it a habit).

For the record, abusing alcohol (or other hard drugs) as a remedy for sadness has been found to be the major cause of domestic violence, depression, and even suicide!

If you really want to deal with those hard times, you can listen to music, read certain books that can uplift you, engage in certain exercises or physical activities and so much more. Such are healthy lifestyles for you.

Similarly, another healthy activity you should consider initiating is sleeping enough. It’s very unhealthy for you to deprive yourself of sleep. When you sleep between 6 to 8 hours every night, you will wake up happier and stronger the next morning.

To add to this, you must also eat healthily. Ration your dietary and nutritional intake. Excessive calories (fats and carbohydrates) aren’t good for your health. Copy that?

Experts suggest instead that adding more fruits and veggies to your diet will make you stronger. Moreover, ensure your diet is quite balanced! Remember, a healthy lifestyle will keep you physically and mentally strong and of course, that’s a pretty straightforward way to be happy in life.

Learn To Let Go

Sometimes holding on to things that are needless can make you an unhappy fellow. Learn to let go of certain things you obviously can’t change. You will be happier and relieved:
- Let go of fear and anxiety.
- Learn to let go of resentment and regrets.
- Let go of uncertainties and doubts.
- Avoid comparisons. Your life isn’t their life!
- Forget the past and be more focused on the present and the future.
By letting go, I can assure you that you’ll feel better as a person.

Meditate Often

One of the wisest men that ever lived once suggested that an unexamined life isn’t worth it. According to him, to live such a life is vain. And yep, I agree with him. In order to live a meaningful life, you need to create time to reflect and ponder.

The question now is, how will meditation make you happy?

Well, when you meditate, you condition your brain to enter a peaceful mode and hence, your worries will be reduced. This is because, through meditation, you will be calm enough to connect to yourself and become more aware of yourself.

It might interest you to know that self-awareness gives you the opportunity to understand your individuality better. Of course, that’s exactly what you need to be happy in life.

Final thoughts

Everything you’ve learned so far is very vital for a happy life. However, you need to always bear in mind that happiness is nothing but a choice. Therefore, in order to experience sustainable happiness in life, the basic step you must take is to DECIDE to be happy, regardless of your circumstances.

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July 10, 2020
11 Things To Do As Part Of Your Self Care Night Routine
A lot of us have many ways we practice self-care. We tend to manage our bodies in the best way we can in order to be in good shape. We also try to cultivate a positive mindset so that we are mentally sound. Today I’ll share some tips for you to develop a proper self care night routine to help you do just that.

Now, the idea of a self care night routine might be new to you. Some may even find it needless, but is it?

According to findings, a higher percentage of happy, productive people are those who effectively integrate morning and night self care routines into their lives.

You may be wondering if it is possible to adopt and master self care habits. Although it requires your conscious effort, certain factors increase your chances of implementing whatever routine you take up;
- Firstly, you can decide to choose the ones that work for you. Anything you find too difficult can wait.
- Secondly, you can also decide to only adopt only the things you enjoy.
- You can make it as simple as you want.
- You can adopt only routines that bring some balance to your life.
Below, I will share 11 things to do as part of your self care night routine. You can use the ones that work for you. I’d like to believe you will live a much happier and fulfilled life if you can keep up with at least some of them. Only if they work for you of course.

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1. Draw A Warm Or Cold Bath

Your self care night routine can start by drawing yourself a bath – hot or cold – depending on the weather and what suits you at that particular time. This should be done immediately you get home from work.

You might have had a stressful day, so the best you can do for yourself is to calm your nerves and relax your muscles by having your bath immediately you get home. Also, make it a habit to brush your teeth before bed. It feels great!

Have you ever gotten home and been so tired to do anything but to sleep off? I’m sure you enjoyed your sleep, but then how did you feel the next morning?

Fresh or rancid?

Strong or tired?

Well, however you feel the next morning, the bottom line is that you won’t feel your best. Hence, why don’t you make it your bedtime routine to shower, brush, and feel fresh before retiring to bed? Life will definitely feel better.

2. Put On Something Comfortable

Of course, you don’t want to remain in the same clothes all day! Not only will it make you uncomfortable, but it’s just…not nice.

Even before you return from work, you are probably yearning to be home already and make yourself a bit comfortable. One good way to ensure such comfort is by changing your work clothes into something more cosy, warm, and comfortable.

This singular act can help you mark the difference between work and rest. It will make your evening kind of unique and different from the rest of the day.

When you have a clearly defined wardrobe for work that is different from that of home, you will have a psychological shift once you get home and change into those nighties or pyjamas. You will simply feel at home!

3. Create Time For Yourself

This is one self care night routine people ignore a lot.

You might have had a tough time working all day. Perhaps, you even carried some work home to continue. While I won’t condemn such hard work completely, it’s also important to remind you that you really need to create time for yourself…

There are a whole lot of things you can do with such “self-time”, but in all, it has to be for your self-care.

You can start by setting aside an hour (in the evening) to focus on what you love.

After you have taken your bath and changed into something quite comfortable, the next in line is to spend time on that activity you really enjoy doing.

I know people who really find writing very interesting. But then you can choose to use this lovely time to watch that fascinating show on TV.

You can also decide to listen to those podcasts you’ve been planning to listen to but couldn’t make out time for. What about tuning into your favourite radio station to listen to that program you find quite educative?

Other activities you should consider are;
- Going for a walk
- Yoga
- Hitting the gym
- Creative paintings or other forms of art, etc.
Actually, your body and mind need such every evening and hence, it will be a massive way to rob yourself if you don’t create the time to do what you find interesting.

4. Read Books

Consider adopting reading as your night routine, you won’t regret it.

Before going to bed, reading is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Reading a fiction/nonfiction book or an interesting storyline can actually be quite fun.

To actualize this, you can set a goal to read a specific number of books within a calendar year.

The question now is, do you like reading? Why not give it a try?

Based on research findings, reading has a tremendous way of improving your mental capacity! This is because while reading, you are concentrating, co-ordinating, and at the same time memorizing!

Besides, it might also thrill you to know that reading is far more effective in reducing the effect of stress than tea or coffee. Moreover, reading the right books can single handedly help you in winning the fight against depression.

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5. Create A Time For Daily Reflection

Have you ever considered having time to think and reminisce about your daily events? Actually, it’s a very essential self-care night routine you should adopt!

Just before you retire to bed, you should dedicate thirty minutes or an hour for meditation. Fifteen minutes is alright too for a start. Reflect on your daily activities; your job, your engagements, your losses, wins, decisions, even your utterances/responses. Think about all of them. Ascertain what you did right and what you need to do better.

You can do this in the form of journaling. While reflecting, write down all the things you consider noteworthy; both events that made you happy or sad should be well noted in your journal.

Journaling is a fantastic way to reflect. It will help you hold on to those happy moments and at the same time, give you the opportunity to ease any sadness that might have accumulated on your mind during the course of the day.

Related: 20 Deep Self-Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself

6. Practice Gratitude

When you make gratitude a habit, you won’t only be happier as a person, but you will also find joy in living.

You don’t have to wait till you win a major contract before you can be grateful. You can simply start by appreciating the little things that happen every day that you usually ignore. For instance, no matter how hard the day gets, you can choose to be grateful you have a roof over your head.

7. Adopt A Daily Skin Care Routine

There are certain factors that will actually aid your skin.

First, if for some reason you couldn’t shower, then before bed, you must wash your face; do away with the make-up on your face if there is any. Sleeping with an unwashed face will keep your face oily. This can accumulate dirt or germs that can cause certain inflammations.

Moreover, based on research findings, sleeping with make-up increases the rate at which you age. In other words, night makeup could result in faster aging! Therefore, always wash it away!

8. Declutter Each Evening

This might feel very tiring, given the fact that you just want to relax every evening. Doing chores is perhaps the last thing you are ready for. But then it’s important to declutter from time to time.

If you decide to do without regular tidying of the house, I’m sure you can imagine what your home will look like after a while? It will certainly not make you feel good; both physically and psychologically.

Nothing can put you in a bad mood more than waking up in a dirty environment where the restroom is not encouraging and the kitchen sink is nothing to write home about!

If you eventually decide to leave it and go about your daily business, you won’t really be comfortable knowing fully well those dirty dishes and untidy rooms are still waiting for you. However, the moment you decide to clean up, the relief you’ll get to feel afterward can only be compared to heavenly salvation.

A tidy environment brings about a good vibe and energy. It gives your environment a unique kind of freshness. Just imagine how you feel when you lay down on freshly washed sheets… Whew!

Making this one of your self care night routines is paramount because it is a basic habit that will surely improve the quality of life you live.

By nature, you are a social being. Therefore, one good way to treat yourself right every evening is by socializing; not just with a random person but with your family. Having a daily evening routine of connecting with your household will keep you in the right frame of mind before bed. You will wake up mentally stronger.

Being with your family won’t only help you all create that bond, it will also serve as an opportunity to express love amongst yourselves. As a matter of fact, if your household is happy, you will be happier as a person. Consequently, your social life will blossom!

Now, when you don’t relate with your household in this manner, you might have no reason to leave home a happy person.

And if you can’t spend quality time with your family, how sure are you to do so with your business partners or clients?

9. Prepare For Tomorrow

Someone who prioritizes productivity should always prepare for the next day.

Assuming you have an important presentation to deliver tomorrow, it’s obviously advisable to use the previous night to prepare for the big day ahead.

This will make you ready and equipped and hence, what would have been a very difficult day will be easier and properly handled.

10. Routinize Your Bed Time

Okay forget the sequence, this is probably the first thing you should consider making your routine.

Are you the type that only sleeps when you are done with every other activity? Is your sleeping time irregular or solely dependent on when you are done working? Then, my friend, you have to re-strategize.

Create a specific time that you MUST go to bed, no matter what. It’s very important for your general wellbeing.

When you have a regular bedtime, you will maintain a certain level of fitness which will make it less difficult to embark on your daily tasks. As a result, you will be quite productive!

It’s a fact that you need enough sleep to function optimally, and for that reason, sleeping well every day (based on your schedule) will make your functionality consistent.

Related: 15 Tips On How To Wake Up Earlier And Not Feel Tired

Final thoughts

Finally, after you’ve spent the whole day striving to make ends meet, taking care of others, working and satisfying your clients, surely, you will feel like slumping onto your bed.

But then, this rest might be short-lived because you will most likely wake up at midnight, feeling like you left certain things undone. In the end, you might not really have the kind of sleep you desired.

But when you have a certain self care night routine as discussed right here, you will sleep comfortably knowing fully well that you’ve done the needful.

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July 7, 2020
10 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health Starting Today
With everything going on in the world, and how busy our lives can be, it is imperative that you constantly look for ways to improve your mental health.

Often when people hear about mental health, their first thought is depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other examples of mental illness. But in reality, mental health goes beyond just diagnosable mental illness.

According to the World Health Organization, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to her or his community.”

Improving your mental health is as essential as every other part of your well-being. People tend to treat physical illnesses like cancer, diabetes, etc. but ignore their mental health.

With the constant struggles of life and the crazy things going on in the world today, there is a high tendency that all this would take a toll on your mental health. Therefore, one of the best self-care practices you can do for yourself is to improve your mental health.

Improve your mental health

Mental health is a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Your mental health plays a significant role in how you think, feel, deal with situations, and take action.

It would be hard to live a healthy and fulfilling life if you don’t. Being mentally healthy is a crucial part of living a happy and well-rounded life. By making your mental health a priority, you will be able to live a better life.

Do everything you can to make your emotional, psychological, and social well-being a priority today,. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Not having good mental health can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic disorder personality disorder, eating disorder, substance abuse, and psychotic disorder.

Below are ten effective and practical ways to improve your mental health!

1. Make and maintain healthy relationships

Loneliness is a factor that can contribute to mental health issues such as depression. When you stay by yourself idly for too long, you may begin to entertain depressing thoughts and even form bad habits such as smoking. You must develop healthy interpersonal relationships with your family and friends.

When you are struggling, and you need someone to help you, don’t be ashamed to ask your family or friends. Asking doesn’t mean you are weak, and it is better than suffering in silence. Be open and honest with your family and loved ones.

Join a community of people that share your interests either online or offline and try to maintain a healthy relationship with people around you.

Create a sound support system of people that understand your struggle and help you feel less alone in it. You should also maintain healthy boundaries in your interpersonal relationships so that people will not take advantage of the relationship they have with you either consciously or subconsciously.

2. Constantly practice gratitude

It is okay to want to have more wealth and material things, but the fact that you wish for more should not make you lose sight of what you have already. Instead of complaining about what you don’t have, you should be grateful for what you already possess and then work towards getting better. Quit complaining.

You only get depressed, stressed, or anxious when you let negative thoughts cloud your mind. And thinking about all that you don’t have instead of focusing on what you already have will only leave you stressed and depressed.

One very effective way to practice gratitude is by keeping a journal and writing down all that you are grateful for daily. Spend at least five minutes writing down at least three things that you are thankful for, either big or small. Things such as the air you are breathing, the fact that you can use the parts of your body, etc.

The more you dwell on positivity, the more your mind adapts to it, and in the end, you will notice that you can think better and do better things for yourself.

3. Forgive and Don’t hold grudges

One way to improve your mental health is by forgiving someone who has wronged you and not holding grudges. You must learn to forgive and forget. You also need to forgive yourself for any mistake you may have made in the past and regret.
Don’t dwell on your past mistakes, instead learn from it, let go of it and live better in the now.

The truth is that no one is above making mistakes. Studies have shown that people who forgive have better mental health and are more satisfied with their lives. When you don’t hold grudges, your mind is free from any form of bitter or negative thoughts.

4. Maintain a healthy diet and sleeping routine

You need to maintain a healthy diet and sleeping routine if you really want to improve your mental health. Eating a healthy and balanced meal is an essential part of your general well-being. Anything you take into your body affects your mood and overall health.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, avoid taking too much sugar and junk food.

Make sleep a priority. Try to incorporate going to bed at the same time every day. Create and follow your routine so that you can get quality sleep because it is crucial. Getting quality sleep isn’t only about the number of hours you spend sleeping; it is also about getting a restful sleep that will keep you energized for the day ahead.

If you are struggling with sleep, you can try out some practices like meditation to help clear your head and calm your mind. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet and resist doing anything except sleeping in your bedroom. But if any of these don’t work, you may need to seek out professional help.

5. Be optimistic every day and do the things you love

It is easy to think about the things that are not going well in your life, then declare that your life is doomed and quickly fall into depression and anxiety. You need to make a conscious effort to be optimistic and always look on the bright side of things.

Consistently practice having an optimistic and positive attitude towards life and moving from negative thoughts to positive ones.

Do the things you love, take up a new creative hobby that will help you feel fulfilled, explore new areas, smile often, laugh, go out and breathe in some fresh air, and just have fun.

Read self-development books, take yourself out on a sweet treat, listen to your favorite music playlist, do the things you love, and that make you happy.

Set goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. Pursue your dreams and make them come true. Go out of your comfort zone and try something new and exciting. Just live.

6. Relax and take a break when you need one

It is okay to relax and take a break when you need one; overworking yourself will only leave you stressed out, and stress isn’t good for you. Therefore you need to reassess your priorities and cut back on some work if possible.

Too much stress or poorly managed stress over a long period can have a detrimental effect on your social, emotional, and physical well-being.

7. Don’t compare yourself to others, stay away from negativity, and learn to say no

Comparing yourself to other people either via social media or in real life does more harm to your mental health than good. It is the actual devil. Remember that everyone is on their own journey. Regardless of whether you are the same age or if you do the same job, everyone has a different route.

Give yourself credit for going through life in your way, you’re doing the best you can.

Learn the difference between being inspired by someone else’s success and comparing yourself to them. The other person may have already gotten to the middle when you were just starting, so quit comparing yourself.

Stay away from harmful content and negative people because they will hurt you in the end.

You must also learn to say no when necessary. Learning to say no is power because it is impossible to say yes to everything and everyone. You will only be shooting yourself in the foot if you do. You will begin to feel overwhelmed and inadequate.

Learn to say no and don’t feel bad about it. Stop trying to please everyone because it is not possible. Quit being a perfectionist and feeling like you are not good enough. Love your flaws because they make you unique!

Don’t let other people’s opinions about you dictate your feelings. Always have a positive body image because it will help to improve your self-esteem. Wear clothes that make you feel good.

Also read my post on how to stop worrying what others think of you if you often let others’ opinions hold you back.

8. Quit unhealthy habits such as taking alcohol and smoking

If you want to improve your mental health and live a healthy life, you need to quit certain unhealthy habits. Alcohol has a significant effect on your overall well-being and health. It changes your brain chemistry and increases stress and anxiety.

Cutting down on or quitting smoking and drinking alcohol will serve you well.

9. Exercise regularly

The positive impact of physical exercise on your mental health cannot be overemphasized. It plays an essential role in helping you to battle with anxiety, depression, stress, and any related condition.

Exercising can improve your sleep, make you feel more relaxed, and increase your body’s production of endorphins, which can improve your mood. There are different ways you can exercise; it doesn’t have to be a high-intensity routine. It could be as simple as taking a walk or dancing!

Just look for the form of exercise that you genuinely enjoy so you’ll stick with it. You can also check out my post on ways to be more active without going to the gym for some tips.

10. Get help if you need to

Some symptoms that you may experience if you have a mental health condition include: Eating too much or too late, sleeping too much or too little, lack of energy, constant mood swings, constantly fighting with your loved ones, feeling confused, forgetful, angry, or on edge.

You need to take mindful note of your mind and body so that you can identify these symptoms, because you may be anxious, depressed, or stressed without even realizing it.

To figure things out, you can ask yourself questions like:
- Am I as interested in everything I used to be interested in?
- Do I feel more irritated, angry, or on edge than usual?
- Am I drinking alcohol more than I used to?
- Has the quality or quantity of my sleep diminished?
- Has my appetite or weight changed?
- Do I have less energy than I used to?
- Have my loved ones commented on any changes in my mood or behavior?
This is not to strictly ascertain that you have a mental health condition if you experience any of these symptoms, but if they persist, then you should seek professional help.

Final thoughts

On a final note, when trying to implement the tips mentioned above, you need to be patient with yourself and take things one step at a time. Change won’t happen overnight. But implementing some of the points from this list is an excellent way to start out on your journey to improving your mental health.

It may take a while to let go of those negative thoughts or completely conquer depression, but once you start out on the journey to being better and you keep at it, the rest will be history.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step.”

Learn to do things for yourself and not because someone else said you should. You may have a big life decision to make soon, and your friends and family might have different opinions on it.

Although it is okay to take their opinions into consideration because they are essential people in your life, you have to make the decision that is right for you, making you happy and improving your quality of life.

Any other decision apart from this is the wrong one and bad for your mental health because, in the end, your happiness and well-being matter the most.

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June 30, 2020
How To Have An Abundance Mindset: 10 Habits To Cultivate
Your mindset is a determinant of how your life is and will eventually be. Today we’ll look at how you can start to have an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset.

According to Steve Maraboli, “Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.”

What does this tell us? It simply means that if you want to live an abundant life, then you need to adopt an abundance mindset. If you want to be rich, then you’ve got to think rich. If you want to be sexy, then you’ve got to have a sexy mindset (for some reason, that sounds really sexy).

Stephen Covey defined the term abundance mindset or abundance mentality in his book, The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People. He said it is “A concept in which a person believes there are enough resources and successes to share with others.”

He also mentioned the opposite of abundance mentality which is scarcity mentality: “People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, and the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, achievements, recognition and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to, rather than detracts from our lives.”

Scarcity mentality makes a person believe that opportunities are few and that another has to lose for him or her to win, without considering the possibility that all parties could win, which eventually leads them to having complacency, doubt and indifference and in turn leads to failure.

How to have an abundance mindset

In order to live a successful life, you need to be constant and intentional about developing your emotional and spiritual life. Having an abundance mindset allows you to take full advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, get your creative juices flowing, and live a happy and satisfying life.

It is true that you can’t just wish things into existence or reality, but when you wish for things, you must take certain steps towards making your wish a reality. Some of these steps include being positive, practicing gratitude, welcoming open mindedness and the likes. In one word, it means having an abundant lifestyle.

On your journey to learning how to have an abundance mindset, you must understand that abundance isn’t about having an excess of resources at your disposal, instead it is about having a deep level of satisfaction in your mind, soul and heart. You must be willing to care for yourself and others around you. You must be ready to believe and accept that you deserve the best and you have the power to get it.

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Rhonda Byrne said, “People who have drawn wealth into their lives used The Secret, whether consciously or unconsciously. They think thoughts of abundance and wealth, and they do not allow any contradictory thoughts to take root in their minds.”

If you truly want to learn how to have an abundance mindset, here are 10 efficient and practical tips that will help you:

1. Focus on Positivity

As humans, we tend to be more aware of the bad things that are happening in our lives than the good. We worry so much about not having a car or a lot of money (or a rich boyfriend or husband) that we forget about the gift of life and health. In order to cultivate an abundance mindset, you need to be optimistic and focus on the positive things that are going on in your life.

When you are faced with a difficulty, look at it as a puzzle that you need to find a solution to instead of seeing it as an obstacle that won’t allow you to reach your goals. Adopt a win-win mentality. Someone else doesn’t necessarily have to lose for you to win; look for collaborations instead of competitions.

The moment you begin to focus on the good things that are going on in your life, your mind will be opened to the possibility of better things to come. For example, if you don’t have a job, don’t focus on the fact that you don’t have one, instead focus and think about the abundance of possibilities in the world to get a job or create a job for yourself. You will be surprised at how ideas and opportunities will begin to present themselves to you out of the blue.

Don’t hesitate to spread positivity to others also. Zig Ziglar said, “Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.”

2. Always practice gratitude

Constantly practicing gratitude is a very powerful tool that most people tend to ignore. When you learn to be grateful for the food you have to eat, the shelter you have over your head and the air you breathe, this easily turns your bad mood into a good one and helps you focus on more positive things.

Make it a habit to appreciate something you have in your life everyday when you wake up. If possible, get a journal and write down at least 10 things you are grateful for everyday, no matter how little. Just as Eileen Caddy said, “Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.”

3. Be open minded

A very important habit that you must cultivate on your path to learning how to have an abundance mindset, is having an open mind to things. If you close your mind to just one thing or one line of thought, you are hindering yourself from seeing and exploring other possibilities.

To have an abundance mindset, you need to be willing to see things from a different point of view and be open to change. According to A.J Darkhor, “Always hear others out and remain open-minded; the day you think you know everything is the day you have the most yet to learn.”

4. Be organized

One of the best ways to achieve and maintain an abundance mindset is to be organized. Take control of your schedule and prioritize your important activities. Clean your environment and declutter your workspace. When you are organized, your workflow will go smoothly and you are ultimately welcoming an abundance mindset.

5. Don’t compare yourself to others

It’s okay to admire what other people have and to wish for better things and work towards acquiring them, but one thing that will hinder you from having an abundance mindset is comparing yourself to others.

It might be difficult not to, especially if these people are constantly flaunting their achievements and possessions in your face, but you need to realize that we were all created differently and our lives are set at a different pace. People only post their “best life” on social media, they hardly ever post the ugly, so don’t let what you see on social media make you feel like you are not doing enough.

If you feel yourself constantly scrolling through social media and comparing yourself to one person or the other, then it’s high time you take a break and feed your mind with more positive content.

In the words of Suzy Kassem, “Whatever your passion is, keep doing it. Don’t waste time chasing after success or comparing yourself to others. Every flower blooms at a different pace. Excel at doing what your passion is and only focus on perfecting it. Eventually people will see what you are great at doing, and if you are truly great, success will come chasing after you.”

Desist from comparing yourself to others and welcome an abundance mindset into your life.

6. Be Generous

To cultivate an abundance mindset, you need to learn to give. There is a sense of achievement that comes with being able to help a person in need, how much more the joy you would bring to their heart through the simple act of giving.

It’s not only money or material things that you can give out, but you can also give your time, energy, positivity, advice, knowledge, volunteering, e.t.c.

By having abundance, it means you have enough to yourself and more than enough to give out, so don’t hesitate to be generous with what you have. If you want to attract greater things to yourself, then you need to open your hands and heart towards giving to others.

7. Be growth oriented

In order to have an abundance mindset, you must be constantly ready to up your game and be on top of your game in anything you do. You must be willing to learn new things and widen your horizons.

You must also believe that your basic abilities can be developed into greater things through hard work, dedication, and persistence, supported with your brains and talent. When you are growth oriented, you are directly aiming for an abundance mindset.

8. Surround yourself with people that have an abundance mindset

In order to have an abundance mindset, you need to constantly walk and surround yourself with people who already have that mindset. Be selective of whose company you keep.

By surrounding yourself with people who have an abundance mindset, you are also attracting it to yourself and the positivity, creativity, generosity and organized attitude of these people will rub off on you.

You know that saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are?” Well, it’s not just something parents say to their kids to sound wise. It’s legit. Nonetheless, do feel free to say it to your kids so you sound wise! We won’t judge you.

9. Don’t waste your time

If you want to live an abundant life, then you must learn to always put your time to good use. Time is precious and it waits for no one. The earlier you realize that and you begin to work in line with it, the better for you.

Use your time to do important things that will contribute to your all round development. Avoid anything or anyone that would serve as a time waster to you. Do the difficult tasks first, and watch the smaller ones fall into place. Invest your time in doing the things that make you happy. And yes, have some fun and enjoy yourself.

Make sure that you make the most of every minute you have. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in life is to waste your time.

10. Give yourself a constant reminder

When you have an abundance mindset, in order to keep up with it and not slip back into your former way of life, you need to constantly remind yourself of it and why you adopted it in the first place.

Read books, watch videos and listen to podcasts that will constantly help you to keep up with your abundance mindset. Stay away from anything or anyone that would pollute your thoughts.

You can also create affirmations to serve as a constant reminder for yourself. In the words of Bryant McGill, “You can become instantly successful with a simple thought, but long-lasting and pronounced success comes to those who renew their commitment to a mindset of abundance every minute of every hour of every day.”

Finally, you must look out for any scarcity mindset you have and work on replacing it with an abundance mindset. Now, you may not even know that you have a scarcity mindset. Make a habit of listening to your thoughts and really feeling your feelings.

Some common examples of scarcity mindsets include:
- Always feeling like the victim
- Constantly feeling angry, unhappy, impatient and powerless
- Having a narrow mind and always being confused
Once you are able to identify these scarcity mindsets, replace them with the abundance mindset and then top it off with the other tips on how to have an abundance mindset explained above.

I assure you, there will be something entirely different about the way you relate to people and situations. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when people start asking you what your secret is.

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Don’t forget to pin these 10 tips on how to have an abundance mindset for later!

Now, don’t keep it to yourself! Be sure to share—that’s the point of having an abundance mindset!

You can pin it to your abundance or manifestation board on Pinterest or share it to your favorite social media platform. Thank you!

Note: This post originally appeared as 10 Tips On How To Have An Abundance Mindset on MindHerWay.com.
June 1, 2020