Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! I hope we’re feeling good and refreshed. I am back with another article today, and I hope that you will enjoy it. Don’t forget to like it, follow the blog, and share it with your friends and family!
The world right now is a very terrifying, cruel and horrible place. With everything going on in countries such as Haiti, Ukraine and Pakistan : gang violence, war, floods, hunger, massacres, shootings, etc…, it’s easy for anyone to feel traumatized, anxious, and depressed. If you’ve been reading my blog, then you’d notice that I am always prioritizing well-being and mental health. Hence why I think it’s important today, to take some time and do those 10 things.
1. Take a deep breath.
Sometimes we’re so focused on getting everything right, and if you’re in Haïti, on surviving, that we often forget to breathe. I remember yesterday, my family and I spent about four hours laid down flat on the floor because there were nonstop shootings in my neighborhood. We were so focused on not getting shot that at one point, I didn’t even think about taking the time to breathe in and out. Today, stop whatever it is that you’re doing, close your eyes and do a little inhale exhale exercise. You will definitely feel relaxed after that.
2. Do something you love.
What is one thing that comes to your mind when you read #2? What is one thing that you love? Personally, I love writing and I also love to play music. To be honest, I’m not even sure where my guitar is right now, I don’t remember the last time I sat down and played a few tunes. Doing something you love helps to ease stress, and change your mood. So do it!
3. Tell someone you love them.
We all have people close to us that we are grateful for, but never actually say it to them. It’s totally understandable because everyone has a different love language. If yours is not “words of affirmation” you might not see the importance. I’ve lost so many people and one of my regrets is not telling some of them how much I loved and appreciated them. Don’t be like me, life is so unpredictable, text a loved one today, tell them you’re grateful for them, and that you love them dearly. Y’all can tell me you’re grateful for me too if you love my articles , (just kidding😜).
4. Talk to someone.
One of the best therapies when going through a hard time is venting. Find someone that you trust, someone that is willing to offer you an ear to listen to you, and talk about everything that’s on your mind. It will definitely feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
5. Do not engage in unnecessary arguments.
To protect your peace of mind, you should not entertain any kinds of arguments. Some people live off of dramas. They always wanna argue and start something. I call them the enemies of peace. Delete that message that you were going to send, just say “Okay”, and move on. Although I know communication is key but in those moments, it’s not worth it sometimes.
6. Say your daily affirmations.
“Positive affirmations are specific statements which help you overcome negative thoughts.” I always start my affirmations with “I am…” and complete the sentence. Find at least 3 affirmations today. I know it’s not easy, but when going through a tough period, I always say “I am strong and I will get through it!” or write it in my journal. It helps me remember who I am, and that nothing can break me down. Daily affirmations help improve your mindset as they encourage you to believe in a better tomorrow.
7. Be grateful.
“Gratitude promotes optimism and helps us to develop a more positive outlook.” What/ who are you grateful for today? Take some time to reflect on everything that you’re grateful for, no matter how big or small they are. During darkest times, there is always something positive to look for; something or someone that makes living every day worth it. Like I said in my article about gratitude, giving thanks makes you happier. So thank someone today for being in your life or for whatever reason you’re grateful for them.
8. Go to bed early.
A good night’s sleep is always one of the best remedies to all problems. Stress and anxiety often keep us awake at night, and that leads to overthinking. Researchers have found that “ A lack of sleep is especially harmful to the consolidation of positive emotional content.” Have you realized that when you don’t get enough sleep at night, the next day you’re in the worst mood, everything gets on your nerves? Set a time, and once the alarm rings, put the phone down and try to get some sleep. It will help.
9. Drink lots of water.
If my high school friends are reading this right now they will probably laugh at me. Story time: I used to hate drinking water, like I could go days without a full glass. In high school, almost everyone had those huge water bottles except me, I only had a little one just for juice. One day, one of my doctors explained to me the consequences of not drinking enough water, it was still not enough to convince me. I used to see my sister-in-law drink a gallon of water every day, and I could not understand how she does it. Finally, I decided to get one of those colorful bottles with time on them to remind you to drink during the day, just because they looked cute. I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be able to drink all this water. Today, I drink 3 L of water every day and sometimes more than that, and I’ve never felt any better. All this to say that no matter what’s going on in your life, it’s important to keep the body hydrated. In one 2018 study of over 3,000 adults, those who drank more water had a lower risk of anxiety and depression than those who drank less water.1
10. Pray.
Last but not least, take the time to talk to God. Challenging times tend to test our faith. Most of the times when dealing with a stressful situation, we are so consumed by our list of worries that we forget how great God is. If you’ve never experienced it, you will not understand the power of a prayer. Remember, a long prayer doesn’t mean an effective one. It can be as simple as one sentence. My parents always taught me that whenever I feel like I don’t know what to say in a prayer, just repeat Bartimaeus’s phrase : “ Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Having faith in difficult times can allow you to find peace in God’s presence.
That’s all for today guys. I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. Make sure you do at least 3 of those things today, I’m begging you. Until we meet again, stay safe and be blessed… Always! Xoxo!!