Optimizing your wellbeing
Optimizing your wellbeing
We are all coming towards the end of the first month of the new year, and slightly feeling the blow of Christmas and new year parties. Money seems dry, new year resolutions are stagnant and there is the lack of motivation. Wellbeing is known as the state of being comfortable, content and healthy. It’s the way we look after our own welfare. So, what does that look like? You may wonder is that physical health, mental health, financial security or good relationships. When the term wellbeing is being used, it is very focused on your own subjective experience, for each individual feeling content can look different to the other. Below are three main tips that can be generalized to all:
Self-Care:
I often say to all my patients the importance of self-care. This is about developing at least 20 minutes to an hour of doing something that bring your pleasure. So, this can be reading your favorite book, going for a walk, mindfulness, meditation, having a bath, talking to your best friend. The essential component to self-care is that it is you time. Only for you! My patients often refer to this as being selfish it is not, its creating a time where you can relax, and re-energize for future task.
Sleep:
You need to sleep! People often sacrifice their sleep for work, family, and stress. Sometimes you may even find it hard to sleep. A way you can reduce anxiety and mange stress, is to write a list of all the things you need to do for the next day, plan your tomorrow, so you can allow your thoughts to reduce. Another way, is mediation or mindfulness, I usually take a 20-minute bath, without my phone and just breath through my thoughts and let them go. Another new tool is a link called ‘Sleepio’, this is an online free service that can help with sleeping techniques. Here is the link: http://good-thinking.uk/sleepio
Positive thinking:
This is something most therapist use in cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s a way of cancelling negative thoughts with positive thoughts. I know as a psychologist I cannot change my patient’s past, what I can help with is the way they look at their present by tackling some of their fears and negative automatic thoughts. So, for example, I will ask my patients to write 10 positive belief statements that they genuinely believe about themselves. I ask them to repeat this every day, to help with confidence and self-esteem. Regarding focusing on the past, we often change negative thoughts to a list of what patients are grateful for.
Remember life’s a journey and it is your path, look after your wellbeing, you’re the best caretaker of your mind, body and soul.
By Dr Farah Nadeem
Psychologist
