How to be kind to yourself
When it comes to mental health, seeking help from others is always an important step. It is also important for the one constant person in your life to be willing to change their mentality. That person is you. By giving yourself a little love, you can start making progress towards feeling better and being your best self. As actress Lucille Ball put it, “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.” Here are some ways to be kind to yourself today.
Take some “me” time
Investing time in yourself is one of the first steps to making a change. Set aside a few minutes each day to just relax and focus on something that you want to do. This could be watching YouTube, jamming to music, reading a book, hitting the gym, or anything that you feel is truly a time devoted to you.
Practice positive reinforcement
Patting yourself on the back really is a confidence booster. Acknowledging that you accomplished something will give you the feedback that isn’t always given by others. It’s not a bad thing to compliment yourself. The New York Times even published that “meaningful praise can measurably boost motivation and performance and can improve your brain’s ability to remember and repeat new skills.” Progress begins with self-acknowledgment.
Learn to let go
Forgiveness can be hard, but it is essential to becoming the best you can be. Forgiving others who have wronged you will help you move forward. Forgiving yourself is the next step. What is done is done. Letting go of the past will allow you to think for the future.
Understand your own limits
Knowing your limits is totally a good thing. It gives you the confidence to know when you need to stop or keep going in any situation. Having your limits in the back of your mind will reassure you and give you a plan to face the unknown.
Remember that you are good the way you are
Perfection is a goal everyone strives for, but in reality, it is unattainable. If you want to make a change, you have to power to do it, but recognize that the state you are in right now is a good one.
Believe in yourself
It sounds so simple, but it can be hard. Believing in yourself will raise your confidence and ability to tackle any situation. Positivity is a trait that will round out your character. If you don’t believe in yourself, who else will?
These ideas and habits can take a long time to instill within yourself. It won’t be easy, but developing a better state of mental health will be worth it.
If you or someone you know would like to seek more help, resources can be found here.
—shelby.black@aggiemail.usu.edu
@shelbsterblack