People always talk about getting more in touch yourself with their inner selves, but no one ever mentions how they plan to do so. Whether you’re trying to channel some inner peace or seeking a sense of self-assuredness, tuning into your most authentic self is a process more involved than you may assume. In addition to habit creation, actually sticking to those habits is the most essential piece to your journey toward finding yourself. These tips will lead you in the most righteous direction—but always remember, repetition and habit-forming practices are the only way to get the results you’re seeking.
Seek silence
In a world full of constant hustle and bustle, it can be difficult to find those peaceful moments where you can clear your mind and focus on nothing instead of everything. While some people look to soothing sounds to relax their brain, being alone with the silence works better to empty your mind and evaluate the things that cloud your mind most. Doing this before bed can also help you have a better night’s sleep.
Challenge: Take 5 to 10 minutes out of your daily routine to sit in a comfortable space and just relax. Get even more comfortable by laying flat and breathing deeply.
Feel your feelings
As we age, we grow too accustomed to shielding our feelings and bottling them up. Finding a healthy outlet for your feelings can help you deal with anger and sadness in a more effective way than bottling them up. In fact, ignoring your emotions or dealing with them in an unhealthy way is the direct opposite of getting in touch with your most authentic self. Show yourself the same compassion you show to your friends and family and let yourself feel your truest emotions. Don’t be afraid to cry, and don’t be afraid to communicate when someone hurts your feelings. Always remember happiness is the objective and your path to finding it is unique and well worth finding.
Challenge: The next time you feel sad or lonely, take out a piece of paper and a pen and jot down anything and everything that comes to your mind. For those who find it difficult to verbally express themselves, writing is often the best outlet to transform those ballooning emotions into words.
Eat better
Believe it or not, your diet can have a huge impact on how you feel. Greasier foods can leave you feeling heavy and tired, effectively leaving you with a dreaded, sluggish state of being that can slow your roll. Healthier foods with more nutritional value tend to put a bit more pep in your step. Fruits are filled with brain-boosting antioxidants while leafy greens are chock full of anxiety-relieving magnesium. Cut down on the greasy foods that make you feel groggy and opt for lighter meals that give you the energy boost you need throughout the day.
Challenge: Incorporate a veggie into two of your daily meals. Celery makes for a delicious and nutritious snack, and spinach is an easy addition to any breakfast omelet or lunchtime salad. Healthy recipes are always a click away with smart cooking apps that dish out inspiration whenever you need it.
Go holistic
Holistic living is one of the most talked about topics within fitness and health communities. From analyzing your aura image with an aura color guide to using essential oils to boost your mood, holistic living comes in many adoptable forms. Some examples include:
- Replacing coffee with green tea
- Going vegan or vegetarian
- Spending more time outside
- Seeking natural remedies
- Spending more time with nature
Challenge: Try replacing one of your many daily cups of coffee with a cup of tea. Tea is still caffeinated so you’ll still get the energy you need, but with the added benefit of boosting your immune system, soothing your digestive system, and filling your body with necessary antioxidants.
There are no shortcuts on your path to getting in touch with yourself, so embrace the journey and all of the stops on the way. Building a healthy and loving relationship with yourself is one of the best relationships out there, and still, the hardest to find. But with dedicated time and effort, you’ll learn internal satisfaction is worth the fight, no matter how many genuine tears that need to be shed or hours spent alone that need to be spent!
