We’ve spent the week discussing ways in which we sabotage
parts of our lives, but what’s probably most important is how this daily dirty
work affects our overall well-being. It’s hard to keep tabs on our brain
running amok all day long and we have things to focus on (school, work,
relationships) other than what our brain is chattering about. How in the world
are we supposed to take care of our own well-being with all this going on in
our minds and around us?
Each of us really has to find our own way to keep ourselves
on a positive, healthy track. I can share some ideas that I have found helpful:
·
Take time for yourself. I have a student who
works full time and takes four college courses, but she still takes time in the
bathroom each morning to stop, read the news, listen to music, or even play a
quick game on her phone. Doing a little bit of nothing or a little bit of
something fun by yourself is important to let your mind relax and unwind. If
you have more than a few minutes, take your dog for a walk (exercise, sunshine,
and the company of your four-legged bestie), play a game with your child,
friend, or significant other, or cook a meal (or cookies if you’re me). The
important thing is: do something you enjoy!
·
Take time for others. If you have the time while
you’re in school or if you’re on break, helping others can be even more of a
positive boost than doing anything for yourself. There are so many short-term
ways to help others: go to your local animal shelter and play with the cats
and/or dogs, go to a homeless shelter and volunteer to clean or serve meals,
cook goodies for someone who needs a boost, or pick up litter in your
neighborhood or community (not on busy roads!).
·
Make time for family. No matter how busy you
are, you don’t want to graduate from college with no friends and/or a broken
marriage/family. Something as simple as having a meal together (without the
television) is important when you have a lot going on in your life.
It’s a real challenge to keep your priorities in good order
while you are in school. The good news is that this challenge is the same
challenge you’ll face later in life once you’re done with college: you’ll
always be busy, you’ll always have too much to do, you’ll always find yourself
pulled in too many directions. Taking
the initiative to really get and keep your priorities in order now is going to
set you up for a lifetimes of successes. When you put yourself and your
well-being first, you will find that a lot of the other dirty little mind games
your brain likes to play take care of themselves.
I wish you the best for your weekend and hope you are taking
the best care of yourself!
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