Nurture Yourself - Body, Mind, Soul and Spirit

“There is an Indian proverb or axiom that says that everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but, unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.” ~Rumer Godden, A House with Four Rooms

The following tips are to improve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health – all of which are required to maintain a healthy, happy you!

1. Eat healthy: Health care professionals will tell you that you have to provide your body with high quality fuel if you want it to run efficiently. Eating a healthy balanced diet doesn’t need to be difficult; choose a variety of foods from all the major food groups including fruits and vegetables, meats or protein sources, dairy or calcium, grains and cereals, and healthy oils and fats.
2. Sleep: You can take better care of yourself just by making sure you get enough sleep each night. During sleep a lot of important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs.  Sleep deprivation affects your quality of life and has been linked to obesity, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
3. Exercise: Exercise is known to help you live a longer and healthier life. We were not made to be sedentary beings. Exercise not only helps you look better, but it helps you to feel better as well. Aim for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week of some type of physical activity.
4. Learn: Challenge your mind! Playing games, doing crosswords or puzzles as well as other mental exercises keeps your mind active. It can also help stave off mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
5. Laugh: Laugh loudly and often! Look for the humor in every situation. Studies have shown that laughter helps to keep us healthy, and even helps the body heal faster.
6. Socialize: Surround yourself with friends and family. Social interaction is key to taking care of yourself. Plan regular nights out (or in) with people who make you feel good – people who love, respect and appreciate you!
7. Prioritize: Make time for yourself. Do the things that make you happy. Sit outside enjoying nature, curl up on the couch with a good book – make the time for the things that nurture your soul. You and those around you will reap the benefits!
8. Be present: Live in the present moment. Entertaining feelings of regret or worry about past events or anxiety about future events are a waste of energy. These feelings also add stress to your body. Stay present, focus on the moment and look for the gifts of the day.
9. Get organized: Keep your life organized and on track with the help of schedules, routines, calendars and to-do lists. Reducing clutter and chaos will help you to feel more empowered and in control.
10. Meditate: Spending time in meditation or prayer allows you to let go and connect with something bigger than yourself. It can help put your thoughts into perspective, reduce stress levels, and help you experience feelings of peace, serenity and joy.
11. Practice self-reflection: To help you stay focused on the positive things in your life, take a few moments every now and then to reflect on your present life and your goals. Make a list of the good things currently in your life. What are you most grateful for? Try to write down at least five things a day.
12. Think positive: Monitor your thoughts closely to ensure that you are thinking mostly positive thoughts. If you catch yourself thinking in the negative – turn that thought around quickly! What you think and do DOES reflect back on you. So make your thoughts as positive as possible.
13. Face your feelings: The stress of avoiding dealing with emotions drains your emotional energy. Deal with your emotions, don’t hide them.
14. Just Say “No”: Obligations abound. Practice saying “no” to the commitments that don’t add to the joy in your life or serve your personal goals. Whether you ARE too busy, or if you are simply trying to protect yourself from BECOMING too busy, the word “no” can be the best tool in your toolbox.

Ed4Career offers courses in nutrition, health, stress reduction and more! Please visit our website to learn more about how Ed4Career can help you to become a happier, healthier you!