Have you heard people tell you to put yourself first? After hearing that sentence multiple times, you treat it as a cliché. However, this is a powerful sentence. You see, establishing that your needs are of utmost importance is difficult for many people since they want to ensure the happiness of those around them. Unfortunately, in the process, they lose touch with their happiness and desires. If you are recovering from loss, healing from a breakup, or finding a way to relieve exam stress, establishing boundaries and using time to give back to yourself is crucial for brain and mental health. By surrounding yourself with chaos to distract yourself from the present situations that you are struggling with, you are creating more chaos. What most people don’t realize is that chaos leads to chaos, and it is an excuse to ignore your conflicts instead of finding ways to relieve yourself of pain and tension. Here are a few ways to declutter your brain and connect your mind and body with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions:
- Meditation
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Practicing yoga or any mindfulness activity centers your mind and creates a sense of structure and stability, in that you feel one with your mind and body. You can evaluate your emotions, and by breathing, you are releasing stress and tension, and gaining positive energy and peace of mind. Grab a yoga mat and sit down in a comfortable seating position. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing: each inhale and exhale is essential to consider. As Jonathan Van Ness once said, “Inhale patience, exhale love”.
- Affirmations
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Writing affirmations helps you engage in positive self-talk, allowing you to connect with yourself. People insinuate that they are insufficient and do not do enough to help others and offer their services. Affirmations help you engage in a positive growth mindset and foster a sense of happiness within yourself. Stand in front of the mirror and state these statements aloud: “I am loved. I am deserving. I am strong. I am a light shining through the darkness”. If that feels intimidating, grab a notebook and write down an affirmation every morning: this could be a quality you recognize about yourself or a goal you want to accomplish.
- Cooking
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The culinary arts is a form of expression. For some, cooking is therapy. Treat yourself to a cozy shepherd’s pie or decadent chocolate cake because you deserve to honor your cravings, and feel full and satisfied after a long day. Treat cooking as a fun, exciting activity as opposed to a chore, and the recipes do not have to be complicated. If you are not in the mood for using a cookbook and following a recipe, use the ingredients in the fridge: for instance, Thanksgiving turkey, salad, and potatoes can be used to make an indulgent turkey sandwich with a side salad and home-made fries.
- Appreciate the little things
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We often become angry when we are not able to complete that last math problem or forget to crack the egg right into the mixing bowl. In the process, we unfortunately loose sight of the little things: being present, being alive, and being grateful for being able to take on another day and another challenge. Did you know that making your bed is an important step to appreciate yourself? By making your bed, you are engaging in healthy habits and finding ways to stay clean and organized. Take a walk outside, and while you are walking, find gratitude in the fact that you are here, happy and healthy, taking things one day at a time. Find comfort in making your bed in the morning or spending time with family and friends.
- Take a social media detox
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Even though Instagram and Snapchat include pictures and videos that can make viewers laugh, social media makes people feel negatively towards themselves; it is not conducive to creative thinking. Mute your notifications on Instagram and Snapchat and pursue your hobbies, whether it is reading a book, singing, dancing, or even playing an instrument.
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