Tag: #selfcare

  • Mental Wellness Check:  7 Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind Fast

    Mental Wellness Check: 7 Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind Fast

    My mind is racing from the time I get up until I go to bed.  Unfortunately, my mind sometimes feels weary during my busiest days. Instead of taking a break to practice mental wellness, I often push through the day.  

     

    Thankfully, it didn’t take long to see how this habit could lead to an unhealthy pathway for my mental health.

    Woman sitting on couch with arms behind her head

     

    Does my business need me? Yes.

     

    👉🏽 But so does my well-being.

     

    👉🏽 So does my mental health.

     

    👉🏽 And so does my family.

     

    As a result, I proactively look for opportunities to practice mental wellness. According to the Global Wellness Institute,  mental wellness is “an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.”

     

    In this post, I outline seven effective ways I practice mental wellness to clear my mind fast. If there’s something that you do that’s not on the list, please share it in the comments.

     

    Practice deep breathing exercises for a few minutes. 

    One of the most powerful ways to relax is through breathing exercises. Taking a few moments each day to sit down, close my eyes, and focus on my breath helps bring clarity and calmness back into my life. I don’t need any special equipment or complicated instructions.  All I need is a quiet place to sit comfortably for 10 minutes. This simple practice can help ease stress, improve concentration, and enhance physical health.  

     

    Take walks and exercise.

    Getting away from my desk and taking a quick walk or doing some physical exercise gives my mind a much-needed break. Doing something physical helps release endorphins, boosting your mood and making you feel better. Plus, getting outside and enjoying nature is always beneficial for mental health.

     

    Listen to calming music or nature sounds.

    Music has been known to have healing qualities. It helps calm my mind, soothe my soul, and makes me feel better mentally. Whether it’s classical or instrumental songs, put on some headphones and let the sounds relax you.

     

    Journal my thoughts and worries to clear my mind.

    Writing down thoughts and feelings in a journal helps me process my emotions. Sometimes I write one sentence, and other times; I write three pages.  Ultimately, writing down whatever comes into my head is incredibly therapeutic.

     

    Take time out for biblical meditation. 

    For me, there’s nothing like taking a few minutes to meditate on God’s Word through biblical meditation. By taking extra moments out of each day to reflect more deeply upon Scripture, we can open our eyes wider and hearts deeper, allowing us better access to what is being said between verses.

     

    Write positive affirmations. 

    Creating positive affirmations is another great way to clear your mind. For example, I write sentences that promote positive thinking, such as “I am capable” or “I am worthy.” Then, I read them aloud several times throughout the day, as they help boost my self-confidence while also helping me break free from any negative thought patterns trying to limit my potential.

     

    Exercise gratitude.

    Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools we can use to refresh our minds – it increases happiness, reduces anxiety, strengthens relationships, and encourages us to be kinder toward ourselves and others around us. There are many ways to approach this, but I like to write down three things I’m grateful for daily – this helps shift my focus toward the positive aspects of life instead of letting myself get bogged down by worries or stresses.

    iPad with My Gratitude Journal

     

    Self-care is important whether you work for yourself, take care of a busy household, or go into an office daily.  I’m offering some FREE self-care worksheets to help you take a few moments for yourself.

     

    It took me a while to recognize the importance of practicing mental wellness to remain focused, creative, and balanced. For this reason, I’ve prioritized creating time for rest, relaxation, and self-care every day. 

     

    I have learned that taking mental breaks can bring real, lasting balance leading to better health and improved relationships.  I’m practicing mental wellness when I take breaks from my daily activities to journal, exercise, or listen to music.

     

    How do you practice mental wellness?  Let me know in the comments below.

     

    Together let’s work on creating a path of emotional well-being that can guide us on our journey of success while keeping balance and harmony in today’s busy world.

     

    FREE Mini Self-Care Workbook

     

     

  • How To Master The Art Of Self Care As A Writer

    How To Master The Art Of Self Care As A Writer

    How to Master Self-Care as a Busy WriterThis page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

    THE ABCs OF SELF CARE FOR BUSY WRITERS

    Writing can take its toll on a writer. Whether you write full- or part-time, chances are you sometimes feel stressed.  At some point, we all need a little self-care

     

    So why is it so hard? I used to think I had to stay busy to look as if I was productive. For other writers, self-care means time away from writing, which leads to feeling guilty.

     

    But I learned to say goodbye to that way of thinking. Now when I take a break from writing to take care of myself, I return to my projects refreshed.

     

    In recent posts, I explored the benefits of having:

    The right attitude

    A successful mindset; and

    A renewed mind

     

    Today, I look for opportunities to include self-care into my writing life by remembering my ABCs.

    A IS FOR AFFIRM YOURSELF

     

    Write weekly affirmations

    Each week, write a statement of power to yourself. Remind yourself of your strengths as a writer and qualities as a person. Post the message where you can see it every day. Don’t want to use paper? Record your daily affirmation as a reminder on your smartphone. Schedule the message to appear on your phone a few times during the week.

     

    Make a ‘great job’ list

    There’s no need to wait for anyone to pat you on the back. When you finish a blog post or finish writing a book, add your accomplishment to a ‘great job’ list for the week. Post the list where you can see it often.

     

    Write in a self-care journal

    Take time every day to write about how you plan to take care of yourself.  For example, if you are working on an assignment from a client, use a self-care journal to record how and when you will take breaks or reward yourself.  You can also keep track of your fitness and wellness goals.  This petite journal fits easily into any bag to go where ever you go.  I use Erin Condren journals and planners.

     

    How to Master Self-Care As a Busy Writer

    Add a sporty writer’s t-shirt to your wardrobe or inspirational art to your writing space.

    B IS FOR BOOST YOUR BODY & BRAIN

     

    Read inspiring stories

    Take a break from writing to read inspirational articles or books.  Check out books on the NY Times Bestseller list.

     

    Learn something new

    An essential part of taking care of yourself means investing in your education. Read books to increase your knowledge about writing. Take courses, either in-person or online. Attend at least one writer’s conference per year. Last year I attended the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference. The event was full of great workshops, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities.

    Pamper yourself

    Take a break from writing to treat yourself to a mani/pedi or a massage.  Also, consider investing in a few tools that allow you to pamper yourself at home.  My personal favorite is the Shiatsu shoulder massager, which I started using over the summer. I love the roller balls and the bi-directional movement feature.

    Other helpful tools to consider:  Best full-body heating pad and foot massager.

    C IS FOR CARE & CREATIVITY

    Get some rest

    Despite the number of pages you want to write or your deadline, you need your rest. For me, my writing starts early in the morning. But by the end of the day, I am exhausted and too tired to think clearly to write. Whether you get up early or stay up late, don’t overdo it. Don’t deprive your body of sleep.

     

    Invest in Adult Coloring Books

    There is no better escape than coloring. Bright colored pens (see also ‘What Are the Best Pens For Journaling? 5 Top Choices‘), markers, and pencils bring adult coloring books to life. Coloring is a great way to relieve stress and create a calming environment after a long day.

    Angie Grace offers a relaxing line of adult coloring books focused on different topics such as balance, centered, or just plain WOW.

    How do you take care of yourself as a writer?

    Share your best tip!

    Tips on How to Master Self-Care as a Busy Writer