Moving Forward and Making Changes

by Jo Howarth

Jo Howarth

www.thehappinessclub.co.uk

Jo Howarth is a bestselling author and inspirational speaker. She is an uplifter, an inspirer, a helper and the founder of The Happiness Club. You can reach Jo at jo@ thehappinessclub.co.uk and find out more about the Happiness Club at www.thehappinessclub.co.uk This article is here to answer that question, so grab a cuppa, sit back Find somewhere comfy to sit, set a

Moving Forward and Making Changes

It’s been a funny old year so far hasn’t it? So many changes, so much upheaval, so many new things to cope with and, in the midst of all this, it has never been so important to look after ourselves, both physically and mentally. But how do we actually do that?

This article is here to answer that question, so grab a cuppa, sit back and relax.

Do you ever? Relax, I mean. Do you ever purposely, actively, make time to simply relax? When we talk about physical wellbeing, we automatically think of exercise and nutrition. But relaxation is as vital to your health and wellbeing as eating and drinking the right things are. It’s not a nicety, it’s not a luxury, it’s not something to do when you have the time; it is vital to your health and wellbeing but it’s the thing that gets forgotten because we are so busy.

Some of us have been cooped up inside for a while now with lockdown measures in place across the country, some of us have been forced to stop and do less than usual, and some of us have had ‘relaxation’ pushed upon us. Doing less and relaxing are not necessarily the same thing, though; if you struggled to relax when you were busier, the chances are that you will struggle to relax now you have less to do. Whether you find yourself more or less busy than usual, making that time to relax is vital.

So, how do we relax?

Start by taking just 1 minute a day. Find somewhere comfy to sit, set a timer for 1 minute, close your eyes and for that 1 minute focus all of your attention on your breathing – on each breath in and each breath out. Every time you notice that your mind has wandered away from that focus, gently bring it back to your breath. Do this for just 1 minute a day. When you get used to doing it for 1 minute, do it for 2, then 3, then 4. When you get to 5 minutes it is officially called meditation, and this is the most beautiful way to practise relaxation that I have ever found.

... when you get to 5 minutes it is officially called meditation.

Another way to look after ourselves is through physical exercise, whatever that looks like for you: running, swimming, yoga or HIIT classes. Exercise is the single best stress reliever there is. It burns off the stress hormones that flood your body in challenging times, as well as keeping your body fit and moving. We were not made to sit around; we were made to move about – so find a way to do that. Get up every so often and walk around the space you’re in; stand up and do five star jumps; tap your feet on the floor while you’re sitting down; stretch those legs and arms out on a regular basis; lift your shoulders up towards your ears and then gently let them drop. Find a way to build movement into your day.

Regular relaxation and exercise will help us to look after our physical and mental health, but what else can we do to build our mental and emotional resilience?

One of my favourite ways to look after my mental wellbeing is to practise appreciation. Alongside love and joy, appreciation is one of the purest, most positive emotions that you will ever experience, and it is totally possible for you to create that feeling inside yourself at any time you choose.

Top Tip

Look around you right now. Look at what’s right in front of you: your desk, your workspace, wherever you are. Pick something, anything, that you can see. It might be a pen, a mouse mat, a cup or a pair of glasses – anything at all. Now say out loud at least five things that you appreciate about that thing. Those things might be to do with how it looks or feels, or they might be to do with its function or where it came from. They can be anything at all, but really take a moment to study that thing and find as many reasons to appreciate it as you can. Let yourself feel appreciation for that thing. Then carry on with whatever you were doing beforehand. Repeat that exercise as many times as you can during your day.

Then take time at the end of each working day to reflect. Find at least three things from that day to be glad about. They might be things you have achieved, jobs you have done well, conversations you have had, or quiet time you have enjoyed. Whatever they are, write them down and take a moment to notice and appreciate them, giving yourself a pat on the back at the same time.

Over time, these simple techniques will help you to boost and look after two of your most important assets: your body and your mind. Life is the most precious thing we have, which means that looking after your health is the most valuable thing you can do. So, be kind to yourself. Move forward and make changes!

... it has never been so important to look after ourselves, both physically and mentally. But how do we actually do that?