Who is excited for a new year? The New Year holiday is easily my favorite time of year with the exception of the cold weather. I welcome the hope and anticipation it brings to begin something new. It is also a time of healing as I reflect on the past year allowing myself to be at peace with the difficult times and grateful for all the good. This year feels a little different though, right? Still uncertain of what 2021 will bring while trying to make sense of what we just experienced. 2020 has been especially difficult for many leaving us still a little stunned. For those needing a boost from this past year or a little motivation, I’m sharing 3 simple routines for an emotionally healthy year.
This year I am prioritizing routines over results. Results are not always within our control which can sometimes leave us feeling defeated and discouraged. Fortunately, we do have control over our routines and habits. We’ll start with a popular goal. Let’s say my goal is to lose 15 lbs. In reality, the end result of a particular number on the scale may not be completely within my control. My body may take longer to lose a certain amount of weight than I anticipated or even at my healthiest I may register slightly heavier than that magical number on the scale. Instead of focusing on the end result of losing 15 lbs, choose to focus on the healthy habits associated with this result. Move your body for 30 minutes a day. Drink more water or eat clean. I find that focusing on the routine is much more empowering.
As we process this past year and plan for the next, it’s crucial to consider our emotional well-being. I talk about the difference in joy and happiness on my about page which is important to note because I’m not suggesting that we must be “happy” all of the time but I do know it is possible to be joyful. The routines today are focusing on just that. Simple ways to practice emotional health. For a little perspective, I am not a counselor. Not a professional and do not claim to be. These are routines I have found to be effective. I want to share today because I know that many are struggling and maybe you will find these help you as well. Each of these routines are a part of my 2021 habits.
3 Simple Routines for an Emotionally Healthy Year
15 Minutes Outside Every Day
At the top of my list is to spend 15 minutes outside every day. There is not a weather dependent clause. If it’s cold bundle up. Raining? Grab an umbrella. Try the porch or wait for the storm to pass and enjoy the rainbow after. You can walk, sit, throw a ball for your dog, jump in puddles or play freeze tag with your kids. The activity is not important, just get outside. Take a deep breath, moment to listen and see the world you are a part of. Sometimes we feel trapped in the mundane tasks of the everyday and can be overwhelming. Take 15 minutes to change the scenery as a reset.
Establish your Happy Routine
There was a time in my life where being happy felt out of reach. I found myself in the office of a professional counselor who advised me to do one small act a day that made me happy. Honestly, at the time I was skeptical. But desperate, I decided to follow the advice. In the beginning, not much seemed to change but day after day I smiled, laughed and eventually found my way back. I’ll quote myself from a previous post, A Small Town Perspective on Living a Simple Life.
Once upon a time I was learning to be happy again after a hard year and I learned it was not the grandiose gestures or a big aha moment where I learned to be joyful. It was intertwined with the most simple acts – laughing at a funny movie, lunch with a friend, a game of freeze tag in the back yard, appreciating that beautiful sunset or perfect cup of coffee. There it was, right in front of me, amidst all the little things once deemed too simple to really matter.
So, establish your happy routine. Take some time to learn what you really enjoy, what makes you smile and find a way to add one small thing a day. Put it in your calendar or on your to do list if you need to. Coffee in the morning before my kids are awake, watching college football, a hot bath, fresh flowers in the kitchen, my favorite candle and family movie night are just a few things I look forward to this week.
I’d love to hear what you are looking forward to this week in the comments!
Text, Call or Write a Friend. Be the encourager.
I read a blog post years ago about a woman who cooked dinner once a week for other people to overcome her difficult time. She talked about how focusing on others’ needs rather than her own allowed her new perspective and motivation to make a change for herself.
Flip your current narrative. Step into the role of encourager once a week. We all need to be encouraged and hopefully you have people in your life that fill that need. If not, reach out to let me know how I can support you this week. By design, we also need to fulfill the role of encourager or giver. It’s interesting how failing to encourage can leave us empty as much as the lack of being encouraged.
Looking outside of your current circumstances will shift perspective allowing you to see the areas that may need more attention and those that need dismissed. After talking with a friend who lost a loved one, my messy kitchen is no longer a real problem. That’s easy to see, right? Also consider, after talking with a friend who lost a loved one, I realize I need to take some time to work through my own grief. Both are equally important.
To conclude, healthy routines are rarely a one size fits all so find what works for you and prioritize your emotional health this year.
Check out these Simple Habits to find what works best for you!
I hope these 3 simple routines for an emotionally healthy year are helpful. How do you stay emotionally or mentally healthy? Please share in the comments so we can all learn together.
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