Project 20|20 – Week 8: A Surprising Way to Better Your Days
Preventive Care Works
We can learn a lot about ourselves by paying attention to what we think, focus, and do every day.
Last week, I published an easy, quick fix when having a bad day. It’s not a bullet-proof technic. But it can definitely help change our vibe, reframe our thoughts and emotions to make us feel better regardless of what’s going on in our lives.
This week, I would like to talk about how we can avoid a bad day by paying attention to patterns.
Listen to What Your Doctor Says
My doctor has asked several times to notice how my body responds to some foods. That was a great way to find out a glass of wine, could turn into a flare-up the next day, and eating a bowl of a Caesar salad, would make me swollen. It was the first step to realize I needed to track my diet better and make changes.
Our body responds to food, as well as to our thoughts and emotions. Positive thoughts and a balanced diet lead to a healthier body. On the other hand, we can be more susceptible to illness when we are sad and do not pay attention to what we eat.
Taking Notes
Do you know what makes you feel good? How many times do you purposely insert choices that will make you feel better?
- Write down things that make you happy, for example, “I enjoy doodling, singing, talking with friends, reading, meditating, listening to music, practicing yoga, building Legos.” For example, if you like art. Do you prefer dancing or painting, playing an instrument or listening to music? Include in your list, as many things as you remember.
- Create an “inspiration map”. List activities you like to do alone and with other people; indoors and outdoors; during the morning or in the afternoon.
By mapping what you enjoy doing, it will be easier to add them to your lifestyle. You don’t need to list everything at once. Start it and see where it takes you.
The U. S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. – Benjamin Franklin
My Journey
When looking at my patterns, I noticed what I was inserting in my day. There were not many exciting ones. It’s so easy to get caught into the daily routine and react to situations instead of choosing how to navigate the day. And that does not make me feel happier nor healthier.
I know change can be hard and requires an extra amount of energy and discipline. Nevertheless, we may have an opportunity to adjust to a greater daily routine, one that includes things you love while managing stress in the long term.
Getting to Know Ourselves
Besides being more aware, asking others is another excellent way to learn about our behaviors and patterns. People who love us can see things we sometimes can’t, and notice the impact of some of our choices in our mood and health.
Do not ask all your social media friends on your FB, that is not my point.
Choose a hand full of people who knows you well and genuinely care about your wellbeing. Choose a family member, a teacher, a friend, or your doctor. Pick someone who minds about you and sees you frequently.
You may ask different questions to each of them, for example:
- What are the things you see me most passionate about?
- What topics do you see me most engaged in?
- When do you see me with more energy?
- What are my strengths?
Then,
- Compare their information with yours.
- Do they match?
- Prioritize them, and make a schedule to add them to your life, using the SMART strategy from my blog, 30-Day Challenge.
Remember, our thoughts create things, and our habits turn into the life we live in. Know your patterns, and include things you love. Soon enough, you will make your body and mind healthier.
Yours truly,
Hope
0 Like“Happiness is not ready-made—it comes from our own actions.” – Dalai Lama
