january 19, 2021
Becoming a Better You
2020 has been quite a whirlwind with many hard times. However difficult circumstances can be, it is never too late to take a step back, take a deep breath, and start again.
For me, the new year often brings a mix of emotions. While the new start is exciting, I cannot help but think of my failed New Year's Resolutions from past years. You do not need a new year to refocus on goals, but it is an easy time to start, and after this crazy year, what better time than now. Have you wanted to become more disciplined in school or your health? Do you want to prioritize your mental health or spend more time with family? All of these goals can be great, but it is important to set up a plan of action for tackling these larger goals.
Some advice that has proven true for me are:
These are just a few simple tips to help you along the way. Do not be afraid to set goals and work on yourself, but remember to be realistic and gracious with yourself. We got this guys :)
I have some helpful apps and additional resources linked below. Please share your New Year’s Resolutions on our Instagram page! Happy New Year!
Goal Tracking Apps:
Strides: Goal & Habit Tracker (only Apple)
Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager
Done: A Simple Habit Tracker
Habit Tracker
Additional resources:
https://www.sitepoint.com/tips-to-help-you-achieve-goals/
https://www.verywellmind.com/simple-tips-for-achieving-goals-3145003
https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-expertbacked-tips-for-achieving-your-biggest-goals
2020 has been quite a whirlwind with many hard times. However difficult circumstances can be, it is never too late to take a step back, take a deep breath, and start again.
For me, the new year often brings a mix of emotions. While the new start is exciting, I cannot help but think of my failed New Year's Resolutions from past years. You do not need a new year to refocus on goals, but it is an easy time to start, and after this crazy year, what better time than now. Have you wanted to become more disciplined in school or your health? Do you want to prioritize your mental health or spend more time with family? All of these goals can be great, but it is important to set up a plan of action for tackling these larger goals.
Some advice that has proven true for me are:
- Write them down. Even though it is nice to think about how you wish to improve or change, these can oftentimes stay in our head and never change from dream to reality. Write down your goals (short or long term) and put them somewhere you can see them frequently. Perhaps you can put it above your bed, next to your desk, or on your mirror. This will help you remember your goals everyday and refocus you, helping you start working towards these goals. Get creative with this! Try out a vision board if you are artistic.
- Get specific. Especially with long term goals, it can oftentimes seem daunting or impossible to start working towards these large changes. If you split it up into smaller doable tasks, it is easier to begin. For example, instead of saying, “I want to work out more”, say “I am going to start working out for 15 minutes every day”. When this becomes routine, you can slowly add on. If you want to develop a better work schedule, you can schedule yourself into 30 minute work/ 5 minute break cycles. Breaking it down like this sets out the plan of action to allow you to realistically take on.
- Get accountability. Tell you plan of action to close friends or family and have them check up on your progress. You are more likely to be consistent and follow through if someone else is also pushing you to reach your goals. There are also many helpful apps that can help you stay on track. (Some are listed below)
- Be gracious with yourself. It is okay if you stumble. We are human and there will be some harder days. Allow yourself to mess up, but know that you can start again. If you set out a plan that was too demanding, it is okay to dial it back for now. Small steps are still progress.
- Celebrate the small victories. It is very easy to get discouraged, but rewarding yourself helps to sustain motivation. While you may have a larger end goal, it is important to encourage yourself and recognize improvement along the way.
These are just a few simple tips to help you along the way. Do not be afraid to set goals and work on yourself, but remember to be realistic and gracious with yourself. We got this guys :)
I have some helpful apps and additional resources linked below. Please share your New Year’s Resolutions on our Instagram page! Happy New Year!
Goal Tracking Apps:
Strides: Goal & Habit Tracker (only Apple)
Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager
Done: A Simple Habit Tracker
Habit Tracker
Additional resources:
https://www.sitepoint.com/tips-to-help-you-achieve-goals/
https://www.verywellmind.com/simple-tips-for-achieving-goals-3145003
https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-expertbacked-tips-for-achieving-your-biggest-goals
january 26, 2021
Excercise and Diet:
Lets face it. Almost ALL of us hate going to work out or choosing the salad over eating the burger. For those who love to work out and eat healthy I wish I was you and I'm sure many others would feel the same too! It's always so many people’s resolutions however most fail to keep it. But despite hating it we all need to focus on our physical health.
Exercising helps not only our physical health but as well mental health. It's a great stress reliever. It releases an energy that instantly makes us happier, feel more successful. Exercising is even proven to help people who have mild depression or low self esteem. However, the best part is it can be adapted to anyone’s level. It can go from just walking around the park or lifting weights at the gym. Do not focus on other people and see how much weights they are lifting. This will only make your confidence decrease rather focus on yourself. Who truly cares if you're lifting 10 lbs or 1 lb its the fact that you are creating a change!
Right now is the best time to work out. Even though gyms are closed we can still work out outside or even right in our living rooms. Youtube has so many workout videos for FREE, and we all love free! You can even specify what you'd want to work out for instance abs and there will be videos that give a whole 7 day schedule to reaching your goal of getting abs.
But working out is only half the battle. We also need to eat healthier to feel healthier. Simply change one meal in your day to fruits and vegetables. Take lunch. Rather than eating a deli sandwich eat a salad with your favorite fruits inside. Try eating out at a restaurant once a month instead of a few times a month. The key to success is taking small steps. Take small changes. Don't look for instant results. Don't focus on the numbers, focus on how you personally feel. Before you deny this working I challenge you to try it for a month. Immediately you will start to feel better, becoming the better you! And you don't have to go about it alone! Tell your friends, or family to improve their lifestyles with you! They can be your support group and keep each other accountable to exercise and eat healthier!
Heres some videos to get you started! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyv9iJf0gT8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwWpTAXu-Sg
Lets face it. Almost ALL of us hate going to work out or choosing the salad over eating the burger. For those who love to work out and eat healthy I wish I was you and I'm sure many others would feel the same too! It's always so many people’s resolutions however most fail to keep it. But despite hating it we all need to focus on our physical health.
Exercising helps not only our physical health but as well mental health. It's a great stress reliever. It releases an energy that instantly makes us happier, feel more successful. Exercising is even proven to help people who have mild depression or low self esteem. However, the best part is it can be adapted to anyone’s level. It can go from just walking around the park or lifting weights at the gym. Do not focus on other people and see how much weights they are lifting. This will only make your confidence decrease rather focus on yourself. Who truly cares if you're lifting 10 lbs or 1 lb its the fact that you are creating a change!
Right now is the best time to work out. Even though gyms are closed we can still work out outside or even right in our living rooms. Youtube has so many workout videos for FREE, and we all love free! You can even specify what you'd want to work out for instance abs and there will be videos that give a whole 7 day schedule to reaching your goal of getting abs.
But working out is only half the battle. We also need to eat healthier to feel healthier. Simply change one meal in your day to fruits and vegetables. Take lunch. Rather than eating a deli sandwich eat a salad with your favorite fruits inside. Try eating out at a restaurant once a month instead of a few times a month. The key to success is taking small steps. Take small changes. Don't look for instant results. Don't focus on the numbers, focus on how you personally feel. Before you deny this working I challenge you to try it for a month. Immediately you will start to feel better, becoming the better you! And you don't have to go about it alone! Tell your friends, or family to improve their lifestyles with you! They can be your support group and keep each other accountable to exercise and eat healthier!
Heres some videos to get you started! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyv9iJf0gT8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwWpTAXu-Sg
february 2, 2021
Grounding Yourself Amidst the 2021 Chaos
The new year brought me the motivation to better my overall work ethic. If we hope for a better future, we might miss our opportunity to better ourselves now.
For most people, starting the initial habit of meditating is the most difficult, but it only takes two weeks for habits to form.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
For beginners, meditating can be a difficult concept to grasp. The results are indescribable, so often, people are confused about whether they are doing the exercises correctly. Mediation isn't about silencing your thoughts. Let them run wild. Take this moment to daydream, to wonder, to think, to philosophize. This is a method of coming to terms with your thoughts. You got this.
The new year brought me the motivation to better my overall work ethic. If we hope for a better future, we might miss our opportunity to better ourselves now.
For most people, starting the initial habit of meditating is the most difficult, but it only takes two weeks for habits to form.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- 10 minutes: try to find 10 minutes of your day to meditate. Some people meditate early in the mornings or late at night.
- Friend: get a friend to meditate with you. You’ll be more inclined to do it daily when you look at it as a fun activity.
- Music: play a guided meditation or some calming music to get you into the mood.
- Settling down: do not be afraid to let your mind wander. Take your meditation time as a moment to ground yourself.
- Leap of faith: believe in yourself and commit to meditating daily.
For beginners, meditating can be a difficult concept to grasp. The results are indescribable, so often, people are confused about whether they are doing the exercises correctly. Mediation isn't about silencing your thoughts. Let them run wild. Take this moment to daydream, to wonder, to think, to philosophize. This is a method of coming to terms with your thoughts. You got this.
February 9, 2021
Relieving Stress Through Music
We have come to the end of the “Becoming a Better You” series. Before wrapping up our tips and practices on self-improvement including exercise, meditation, etc., we have one more message to share!
In order to encourage the practice of meditation and relaxation during stressful scenarios life can bring you, we have put together a helpful tool that is guaranteed to put you in the right mindset.
Thanks to the magic of Spotify, we have created a diverse playlist full of songs that you can vibe to while ensuring a peaceful listening experience. Our hope in making this playlist is that we can help you get through stressful times with the power of music.
Music is a benefit to people as it is known to reduce anxiety and pain and improve our daily lives. With this in mind, these collective songs will minimize tension and help you relax. These songs will help you deal with school and other areas of life that may cause you to need to let go and lighten up. We hope you enjoy and relax through whatever tough times you may be experiencing! Remember that you are lovable and capable and you will get through this tough time. We believe that you have greatness within you and if you utilize the resources available to you, anything is possible.
We have come to the end of the “Becoming a Better You” series. Before wrapping up our tips and practices on self-improvement including exercise, meditation, etc., we have one more message to share!
In order to encourage the practice of meditation and relaxation during stressful scenarios life can bring you, we have put together a helpful tool that is guaranteed to put you in the right mindset.
Thanks to the magic of Spotify, we have created a diverse playlist full of songs that you can vibe to while ensuring a peaceful listening experience. Our hope in making this playlist is that we can help you get through stressful times with the power of music.
Music is a benefit to people as it is known to reduce anxiety and pain and improve our daily lives. With this in mind, these collective songs will minimize tension and help you relax. These songs will help you deal with school and other areas of life that may cause you to need to let go and lighten up. We hope you enjoy and relax through whatever tough times you may be experiencing! Remember that you are lovable and capable and you will get through this tough time. We believe that you have greatness within you and if you utilize the resources available to you, anything is possible.