Grow Your Confidence By Setting These Wellness Goals
How do you build confidence and start working toward your goals as you emerge from the pandemic? There is no one right answer for everyone, so the key is to think about what your immediate needs are and how to start caring for your physical and mental health. Have you been feeling stressed or anxious? Do you get enough sleep? Has it been difficult to maintain a healthy diet?
Poor nutrition and a lack of good rest or exercise can all contribute to your mental health in a negative way, so you might start by making changes to those areas. It’s important to begin with small moves in order to keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Look for online resources such as My Gut Instinct, which promotes preventative healthcare in the form of nutrition and physical activity, when you’re ready to create a few goals.
Use this guide on your journey to boosting your confidence and feeling better:
Manage your feelings
Stress, anxiety, and depression are common feelings among Americans these days. Whether it’s due to the pandemic, your job, or family responsibilities, holding onto those negative emotions can take a toll on you over time, so it’s important to find healthy ways to manage and cope with them. If you have a busy schedule, an online therapist might be a good option when you’re ready to speak to a professional. Many counselors are offering these cost-effective services nowadays in order to better help their communities, and the process is easy and secure. Not only that, it can help save you time and money since you can talk to someone from the comfort of your own home when your schedule allows.
Pick up a hobby
Looking for an easy way to manage feelings of stress? Your therapist may advise you to take up a relaxing, fun hobby that will both boost your self-esteem and give you something to look forward to. The right activity can help you find a previously hidden talent or passion, and it can also act as proof that you can do anything you set your mind to. Whether it’s creative or active in nature, learning something new can have several positive benefits for both your physical and mental health. Cooking/baking, gardening, painting, practicing yoga, taking up a sport, learning a new language, and even playing video games are all great ways to discover a new skill and bring some joy into your day.
Nourish your body
Taking care of your body can also help you reduce stress, and you can even achieve better physical self-care through some hobbies, such as gardening or playing a sport. It’s important to make sure you’re going even further, however, by actively taking steps to nourish your body. Drinking enough water, learning how to read labels and shop for healthy items, getting adequate sleep, and knowing what to stay away from (refined sugars, too much red meat, etc.) are great ways to boost your physical health. When your body is rested and recharged, you’ll likely find that your self-esteem gets the benefits. You can learn more about good nutrition from the My Gut Instinct blog.
Make activity a priority
Along with good nutrition comes the need to make physical activity a priority within your lifestyle. You don’t have to spend lots of money on a gym membership; instead, create a budget-friendly area at home where you can work out on your own time. Whether you want to learn yoga, lift weights, dance, or just walk, getting active every day is a great way to stay in shape and grow confidence as you build strength and change your body for the better. Consider starting a routine with a friend or family member, since this can help you stay motivated and make your chosen activity a little more fun.
Let it go
With physical activity comes the need to relax and let go of a long day, so make it a priority to practice self-care. You might learn to meditate, go for a swim, or try a few stretches at your desk at the end of the workday. If you work from home, it’s especially important to fit some downtime into your day since it can be challenging to find good work/life balance. If you find yourself answering work calls or emails after you’ve clocked out, set some boundaries so you can focus on recharging. Learning to say “no” is a great way to build confidence.
Make some changes
When it comes to your career, are you fulfilled? Do you feel valued, or is it difficult to imagine staying in your current position much longer? It can be scary to think about making a major job change, especially during these difficult times, but you never know what’s available until you put yourself out there. Consider going back to school to boost your skill set; try an online degree program that will allow you to work from home at your own pace. Update your resume and make accounts on professional social sites like LinkedIn if you haven’t already. Give your wardrobe an update as well, since the way you dress for both interviews and your job can have a profound effect on your confidence.
Keep track of your progress
Finally, it’s important to track your progress as you make headway on your goals. Whether you want to snag a great new job, lose weight, or pick up a new hobby, creating measurable factors will help you stay motivated while raising your confidence in yourself. Keep a journal, or use an app that will help you keep track of your progress. Remember that setbacks are normal and just require a few tweaks to your goals.
When it comes to building confidence and self-esteem, you may find that only one method out of ten works for your specific needs, and that’s okay. Think about your goals on a timeline; what can you accomplish now, and what would be better to try down the road? With a good plan in place, you can make your physical and mental health a priority as you change your life for the better.
Have a question or story to share with My Gut Instinct? Get in touch today!
