WHAT IS SELF-IMPROVEMENT?
Self-Improvement is the process in which one person becomes a better version of themself. This includes learning new things, overcoming obstacles and challenges, setting goals, and achieving their dreams.
However, many of us don’t mind waking up to the same routine every day. DOING. THE. SAME. OLD. THING. Or do we?
Look back at yourself 5 years ago–even 10 years go–did you imagine you’d be where you are today? If your answer is no, then something’s got to change. And that change is you.
However, the change does not need to be drastic. You do not need to go from eating take-out five days a week to zero; you don’t need to go from doing zero workouts to one-hour of taebo. Self-improvement takes time.
But you need to start today.
10 EASY SELF-IMPROVEMENT TIPS:
- Make a schedule
Create a planner. (Get one here.) Plan out your day, from when to rise, what tasks to accomplish, when to eat, what to eat, and when to go to bed, to name a few. The whole point of a schedule in your planner is to build routine, help you stay organized, keep you accountable, build habits, and more.
- Have me-time
Me-time is designated time just for you, to relax and re-energize. Shut yourself in your room, closet, car, or whatever space is just yours. Spend this time doing something that makes you feel good, such as reading a book, organizing your hobby collection, or watching your favorite movie. Again, me-time is uninterrupted time just for you, to do something relaxing and enjoyable.
- Read at least one chapter a day
There are many benefits to reading. An obvious one: you learn new vocabulary. Reading also reduces stress, improves memory, allows you to focus better, and improves comprehension. The list is endless, but you’ll only learn that once you start reading. So start simple, with at least one chapter a day.
- Get up earlier
The need for eight hours of sleep per night is a myth. Every individual needs a certain amount based on their own bodies. For instance, newborn babies need 16 hours of sleep in total, some of us–myself included–feel great after 5-6 hours of sleep, and some folks only need 4 hours. Because of this, adjust your sleep schedule to allow you to rise earlier. Even if just 15 to 30 minutes earlier. Waking up early, before everyone else in your house, gives you some quiet time to accomplish things you may not be able to get to during the day. This could be time to workout, meditate, journal, create art, you name it.
- Be grateful for at least one thing a day
Gratitude plays such a huge role in our mental health. Being thankful fills us with such hormones as dopamine and serotonin, making us feel good and happy. This can domino into other aspects of our lives. For instance, say you wake up and feel grateful to have a rooftop over your head, you now feel happier about the other things in your home; be grateful you have a job–even if it’s not your dream job–and you’re going to perform better.
- Make a small change in your day
Doing the same thing everyday produces boredom. The aspects of a mundane life makes us ungrateful. And being unappreciative makes us bitter and negative. Introducing something new to your day actually encourages you to adapt, become more open-minded and resilient, and just, overall, more fulfilled and accomplished.
- Eat healthier food
We expel what we intake. Simply, if we eat good food, we feel good; if we eat bad food, we feel bad. Therefore consume good, healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, protein, fats, and carbohydrates. (See the suggested amount from the American Heart Associationhere.) Eating the right amount, for your body and circumstances, is going to make you feel good from the inside out.
- Start a new hobby
Starting a new hobby goes back to making small changes. A new hobby helps you become more open, flexible and adaptable with change. Plus, you learn new things. For example, if you start making videos to put on YouTube, you’ll learn how to record, edit, create thumbnails, etc. And you’ll create a new routine for yourself.
- Exercise more
Exercise does not have to be long, hard, and rigorous. It can be as simple as going for a 15 to 30 minutes walk. This simple activity has shown improvements in quality of sleep; weight loss/management; reducing stress, anxiety, fatigue; preventing health problems; and boosting energy.
- Surround yourself with positive people
They say you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So if you hang around negative folks who sit and gossip all day, you’ll be feeling the same way (completely drained!) If you chat with people who are reaching their goals, making plans, and feeling good about life, so will you. The latter group of friends will also be in the right mindset to encourage you and support you. They’ll be more open to listening yo your hopes and dreams and doing what they can to help you.
CONCLUSION:
You can easily start implementing life changes, starting today, to improve yourself. These changes do not have to be rough and time-consuming. They can be super simple. And the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll start seeing the changes you want for yourself.