Optimal well-being sounds like an unattainable goal, doesn’t it? Well, to be honest, it may be. But we all need to take small steps towards it anyway.
Here’s why it will never be any easier, and why you need to do what you can today and every day.
Not just for yourself – but for those you love, care for, work for, and support.
We all struggle to fit in everything we need to do in a day.
It doesn’t matter what age we are, or what stage of life.
(If you’re thinking things will get breezier once you exit your current stage of life, think again!).
It may hard to hear this, but frankly, you are not special, and neither am I – we all busy and have full lives.
And will, forever.
In fact, our activities will grow and multiply and fill whatever vacuum exists in our schedule.
Few people are left with open space on the calendar they struggle to fill, no matter what phase of life they are in.
So, if you think someone else is less busy than you, think again.
They’re all doing their own stuff, probably neglecting their own well-being, just like you.
Imagine if we all made it a priority – just for a few minutes a day.
We’d all be so much happier.
How Anyone Can Work Towards Optimal Well-Being
The specific time requirements may change, but the challenge is still the same.
Whether it’s full-time work or raising children or maintaining a home or caring for aging parents or perhaps other unique responsibilities: special needs relatives, or an illness or mental health struggle.
It’s always something.
And with all these things going on, it’s critical that we not neglect our well-being, even if it seems like a luxury we can’t afford.
In fact, it’s a requirement key to our happiness and mental and physical health.
So, as with everything else, it’s important we adopt a holistic, efficient approach that encompasses both physical and mental health.
Finding effective techniques to achieve optimal well-being is important today and will continue to be essential for the rest of our lives.
So, join me in a commitment to stop making excuses.
Here are a few simple examples that don’t take hours or a ton of money.
Let’s take responsibility for caring for ourselves and bring our best selves forward for everyone else around us.
1: Cultivate a Positive Mindset
Our thoughts and beliefs play a significant role in shaping our reality.
By cultivating a positive mindset, we can transform our perspective and enhance our overall mental and physical health.
To achieve this, focus on practicing gratitude daily.
Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you are thankful for.
Everyone has time for this!
And don’t rely on the “usual suspects” – health, family, etc.
Be grateful for something new every day – anything – but make it a fresh thank you – just to show you’re paying attention.
This simple exercise can shift your mindset towards positivity and improve your mental and emotional state and help move you towards a state of optimal well-being.
2: Amp Up Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is not only essential for maintaining a healthy body but also for promoting calm and relieving stress.
Engaging in exercises such as walking, running, or yoga can help release endorphins, which are known as the “feel-good” hormones.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each day to boost your mood, reduce stress levels, and improve your overall health and well-being.
Got kids? Push them in a stroller.
Got a job? Buy a stand-up desk and walk in place.
Busy running errands? Park far away and walk the added distance – twice.
Dance while you do the dishes.
We can all find ways to move more often. Seriously.
3: Nurture Healthy Relationships – Or Not?
Building and nurturing healthy relationships is key to our emotional well-being.
Surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you.
Engage in meaningful conversations, spend quality time with loved ones, and express your emotions openly.
Strong social connections can provide a sense of belonging and contribute to overall happiness and well-being.
Too busy to socialize?
Call a loved one you haven’t spoken to in ages, just to let them know you really do care about them: you will both feel better!
Don’t feel like interacting?
There are other ways to satisfy this need.
Seek out positive messaging and support in other ways – through motivational speakers, books, videos and blogs.
Play a motivational podcast while you sit in traffic.
Read a motivational book instead of watching Netflix.
Commit to reading for 5 minutes every night before you fall asleep – something positive, motivational and uplifting. And something different – not something you read all the time – curiosity and learning are also well-being multipliers!
4: Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation have gained significant popularity in recent years, and for good reason.
These practices involve being fully present in the moment and cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts and emotions.
Regular mindfulness and meditation sessions can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall mental well-being.
Start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.
This can involve something like a yoga class, if you have the time. But it doesn’t have to.
Double shower time with mindfulness. Really experience the water, the soap, the warmth.
Outside doing yard work? Really pay attention to each and every weed you pull, every flower you plant.
Chasing kids around the playground? Take a few moments to truly listen to their laughter, bird calls around you, and even the feel of the sun on your shoulders.
Enlist an accountability partner – someone who’s life is a lot like yours, to help each other stay true to your commitments to care for yourselves – and each other!
5: Prioritize Self-Care for Optimal Well-Being
Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Make it a priority to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or pursuing a hobby.
Remember to set boundaries and say no when necessary.
By practicing self-care, you recharge your energy and improve your overall well-being.
No time for a bubble bath? Self-care doesn’t have to be luxurious or time consuming.
Self-care can be taking five extra minutes after or during a shower to take a few deep breaths.
Self-care can also be saying no. Simply no. No other words are required.
Self-care can also mean picking up the phone to call someone you love or a good friend.
If that’s what your heart wants to do, do it!
Optimal Well-Being Helps Us Live a Longer, Fuller, Happier Life
We all struggle to make our well-being a priority. But we all are truly responsible to do so.
Especially with lives as full as they are, visualizing and achieving optimal well-being requires a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects of our lives.
By cultivating a positive mindset, embracing physical activity, nurturing healthy relationships, practicing mindfulness and meditation, and prioritizing self-care, you can attain an improved state of wellness.
The world won’t stop spinning if you take a few minutes now and then to do things that don’t have to be done.
So, incorporate one or more of these techniques into your daily routine.
Try something new each day to keep it fresh.
Reach out to those you love.
Do a small kindness – no one else need know about.
Read a short story or a poem — or a blog post!
Care for yourself as you would care for someone you adore.
Watch what happens next.
Truly, attending to your optimal well-being will allow you to feel better, mentally and physically, and it will improve your relationships, too.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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