When you put your wellness first, you’re taking back your power and adding value and richness to all your life experiences. Wellness— mental, physical, spiritual, ect. is the foundation of your true happiness. But, in today’s day and age, who has the time? How can you invest in yourself when there are so many other important tasks to complete daily?
One helpful tactic to overcome this sense of “stuckness” is to adjust your perspective. Instead of trying to fit everything in daily, think of things on a weekly basis, or even monthly. Of course you can’t do it all, all the time, and that’s okay. No one can. But, when you feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day activities, and you’re not enjoying your days anymore, that means you’re overdue for some self-investment.
On the other hand, maybe the struggle isn’t about time—maybe it’s more than that.. Maybe you feel selfish for putting your needs first, and when the priorities of others come up, you might be the first to bend and sacrifice your time to fuel the needs or happiness of others. Many of us are like this, and it can get in the way of our mental health very quickly. Although it’s hard to think this way for some of us, it is important to understand that prioritizing your wants and needs is not selfish. Investing in yourself is not self-seeking.
“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” ~Shannon L. Alder
There is never a bad time to invest in your mental/physical health or education; These investments add more value to others as you invested first in yourself. Unlike other investments out there, investing in your self is never a risk, because it always pays off.
Here are some tips to start investing in yourself today:
1. Invest in your health.
When life happens, exercise and proper diet are typically the first things to be sidelined— but your health is one of the most (if not THE most) important aspects of your life. Investing in your physical health is the best way to ensure that you’re ready to take on everything else, like work opportunities or family responsibilities. Investing in your health often is key to maintaining health in other areas of life—and this could be daily or weekly. For example, this could be as simple as making sure to have a healthy breakfast each morning, and choosing to work a brisk afternoon walk into your daily schedule.
2. Invest in skills that enhance your strengths, personal and professional. Your education in yourself is ongoing. Take advantage of various resources, and maybe join some online groups that will help encourage you to develop your skillset.
3. Invest in your future by being mindful—focus on here and now.
Having clarity and living in the moment is paramount to making decisions for investments that will pay off in the future. Being fully present can curb you from making decisions that stem from negative emotions. Being here now is what is important and is what matters most to your wellness, and to those around you.