10 things that keep me sane
What does it mean to be “sane” anyway? In this context, I’m referring to mental health and general stress-management. This comes up a lot in my work because mental health is equally important to physical health (and they work together). Some clients need some ideas about how to incorporate stress management techniques in their life - and now is as good a time as any with COVID19 going on and affecting each and every one of us whether we like it or not.
These are the techniques I personally use almost every single day. I hope you find inspiration in some of them!
Number 1: Keeping a planner and daily to-do list.
The ultimate form of sanity in our modern world: organization. Just the word alone gives me feel good vibes. Whether it’s having a plan for the day or even long term (think weekly, monthly, even quarterly), I am one organized girl. I keep my planner updated and check in (almost) every day and usually have a daily to-do list. There’s just something about having things written down that keep me organized and on track. Plus it feels so wonderful to physically cross off an item from your to-do list (there’s even research done about it!). The planner I have been using the last couple of years is by InkWELL Press. I will say that it is an absolute necessity to be flexible with a planner. It’s okay if your day (or “life plan”) doesn’t work out 100% as planned. Sometimes this is easier said than done for me, so I have other tools in my box that help keep me grounded…. keep reading!
inkWELL planners
my favorite brand of planners right now!
Regular physical activity - without the body goals.
I repeat: without the body goals. Unfortunately most people exercise for looks - to be thinner, less body fat, more muscular, etc. Not enough people are exercising for the internal benefits. Let me put it this way, if working out did nothing for body shape, I wouldn’t be surprised if many people stopped exercise. While it’s not wrong to have body goals, physical activity is just essential for optimal health, both mental and physical. It’s a lot easier to “keep up” with exercise when you view it from this perspective, too. Gardening, cleaning, a leisurely bike ride - this all counts as physical activity. It doesn’t matter what it is, I try to be active most days of the week because I feel better mentally, and it' helps to know I’m doing my health a huge favor in the long run.
Lots and lots of ME TIME.
I could probably survive on an island all alone and not go crazy. “Me time” means being alone to do or think whatever you need without other people influencing you. To me, it also means being comfortable being alone. And I know there are introverts and extroverts, but I really do think everyone can benefit from alone time, especially in our modern world where everyone is glued to one another through our phones and social media. I don’t even allow social media to send me notifications on my phone - I need my space, and I don’t need updates if someone messaged me or liked a photo. If you can’t handle alone time it might be a good time to ask yourself why, and also a great time to start some meditation. And as a future mom - I can tell you that me time will be absolutely essential in my life to stay sane!
Self care acts, no matter how big or small.
Self care comes in all different shapes or sizes based on personality and preferences. For me, I do things like stretching, going to a spa, or reading. It can also be exercise, taking a lunch break, or hiring a nutritionist to take better care of your health. My absolute personal favorite is going to a spa for a facial. I really do love the idea of a spa day. But this isn’t something I can do regularly because $$$$. So I do things at home like facials, baths, stretching, etc. All of it just makes me feel a little bit special and just one small way that I am taking care of myself.
Check in’s with friends and family.
Even before COVID and quarantine, my husband and I tend to really get wrapped up in our lives, and we aren’t very good at making plans with others. But when we DO get together with our loved ones our hearts are always full. There is a substantial amount of research showing social support and experiences spent with family and friends is crucial for mental health. At the very least, I at least check in with friends and family with an occasional text or phone call to see how they’re doing. This connection definitely helps me feel sane!
Keeping up with my passions.
In order to be comfortable in your own skin, you have to know what you love and you have to pursue your passion - at least that’s what I believe. It does NOT have to be for money. My passion is fortunately related to my career, so it’s a double whammy for me. I am always reading and studying nutrition and health. Always. But I am also passionate about other things like cooking and running and it feels good to make time for the things I love. These are the things that usually get me in a “flow” - those times where you lose track of time because you are so engaged in whatever it is you’re doing.
Getting consistent sleep.
Sleep is so important to me. I get a solid 8 hours of sleep almost every single night. Every once in a while I get less for whatever reason and it’s fine because I am right back on my sleep routine. Long term sleep deprivation, however, can be a very serious health problem. Lack of sleep is correlated with several different health conditions - mental health a huge one. Although I am currently able to get consistent sleep, I am so intrigued to find out what “sleep” will be like as a mother. I wouldn’t be surprised if I wrote an entire article on sleep during motherhood. Stay tuned?
Regular self-check-ins.
Self-awareness is key here, and unfortunately not everyone has this skill. According to positivepsychology.com, self-awareness is “the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively through reflection and introspection.” Very often I “check-in” with myself, especially when I am feeling any negative emotions to try and figure out what’s going on and how I can fix it. I do this for both work and personal life. In my personal life, these check-ins are a regular part of every day living and happen sporadically. For work life, I occasionally sit down and check-in: am I happy with my work? Is it fulfilling? Can I improve anywhere? You get the idea, and you can probably see how these check-ins are really helpful for mental wellness.
Here are 5 tips to create more self-awareness from positivepsychology.com:
Talk it out.
This works really well for me. Sometimes I just need to bounce an idea off a friend, sometimes I need to vent to my mom or sister. Talk therapy is really beneficial for mental health. It can be as simple as talking with a friend, but some people really benefit from seeing a therapist. To be honest, I have recently wanted to see a therapist for talk therapy because I have learned about the various health benefits from seeing a professional. It’s unfortunate that there is a certain stigma and stereotype about psychologists, and many people think you should only see them “if you have a problem” but this isn’t the case. Everyone has problems! I have really come to appreciate the proper education and experience from a bona fide professional in their respective field.
Last but not least: doing new things!
I’m all about routine and consistency, but I think shaking things up is the spice of life. I know too many people who get stuck in a routine and therefore stuck in their box, and anything outside of their routine is unbearable. Getting out of my comfort zone is liberating. I found this out through my college experiences (going places without a plan, giving speeches in class). I always felt better afterword. Because of my current lifestyle my life is pretty consistent but most people don’t know that I am actually spontaneous at heart. This spontaneity is so essential for me to LIVE and EXPERIENCE life for what it is. Get out of your comfort zone!