Work towards accepting your own shortcomings and flaws, as this is a critical step to achieve true calm and foster compassionate, fulfilling relationships with others.
Take off your ‘mask’ and reveal your genuine self, including your ‘dark side,’ to friends and loved ones. This creates an opportunity for them to reveal their true feelings, leading to deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Engage in deeper conversations in your relationships by sharing your thoughts and feelings, not just factual information. This exposes your true self, fosters intimacy, and builds stronger connections.
Practice saying ’no’ to demands that overwhelm you to avoid resentment and improve relationships in the long run. Have honest conversations with partners, friends, or coworkers about how you feel and what is or isn’t working.
Take baby steps to understand and express what you truly desire, even in simple situations like ordering coffee. This process helps you become more self-aware and find out what works for you.
Dedicate time each day to do at least one small thing with mindful intent, such as making a cup of tea, fully observing the process. This practice helps extend mindfulness and attention to detail into bigger aspects of your life.
Intentionally schedule and nourish your important relationships, like a weekly ‘date night’ with a partner. This dedicated time is crucial to prevent relationships from withering and to maintain their health and depth.
Seek out and connect with communities of people who share similar difficult experiences, such as support groups for illness or loss. This allows you to express emotions, find healing, feel empowered, and realize you are not alone.
Engage in physical activity as much as possible, such as walking, yoga, running, or swimming. A nimble and soft body promotes flexible thinking, helps alleviate depression or unhappiness, and prevents mental tension.
Practice daily meditation or deep breathing first thing in the morning, before touching your phone or computer. This helps cultivate calmness, makes you feel alive, and fosters a sense of interconnectedness, leading to peacefulness and happiness.
Go for a daily walk, especially in a beautiful park, and secretly bless natural elements and people (including those who cause you trouble) with wishes for happiness, health, and peace. This practice helps you feel more connected to others and reduces resentment.
Before going to sleep, pray or reflect on someone you deeply admire and respect, such as a deity, hero, or real person. Thinking about their great qualities helps you aspire to and slowly emulate those traits.
Write down five things you are grateful for every day, ideally before sleep, taking only two to three minutes. This habit trains your mind to actively look for positive aspects throughout the day, shifting focus from problems to gratitude.
Make a list of things you want to do and actively initiate those activities, rather than passively responding to others’ requests or demands. This allows you to take control of your time and get things done intentionally.
Spend five minutes each morning to schedule and prioritize the three to five most important tasks you want to achieve that day. This helps you take control of your tasks, reduces frustration, and ensures key objectives are met.
Consider using an email autoresponder to inform others of your email checking schedule (e.g., twice a day at specific times). This helps set expectations, prevents frustration, and allows you to take ownership of your time.
When faced with difficult life situations like illness, tragedy, or job loss, pause and reflect on the meaning of your life. These turning points offer opportunities for spiritual maturity and developing deeper relationships.
Realize your purpose and experience deep connection by helping and serving other people, especially your loved ones. Supporting your family, for example, can provide a profound sense of connection and love.
If you find it challenging to get all your nutrition from food, consider taking a nutrient-dense whole food supplement, like Athletic Greens, each morning. This can serve as an insurance policy to ensure you meet your nutritional needs.