With everyday pressures building up, it can be challenging to get the right balance for your health and well-being. Self-care is one of those things that get pushed to the back of the queue. However, we often don’t realize just how much it affects our everyday lives. There could be times where you feel things are getting on top of you, and you’re dealing with a range of stressful situations. So looking at the causes of these issues can help address some of the areas in your life that are the root cause. ‘Living your best life’ is a term bandied about on social media a lot. However, you have to take this narrative with a pinch of salt. It can be overwhelming to see all these people on social media, so-called living the dream. But in reality, there’re probably just holding down a regular job and lifestyle like the rest of us. 

Being happy is essential to leading a happier life. But it’s easy to get swept up in the immediate forms of happiness that just pass on a whim. Looking at your mindset is the first place to start. Once you have this starting point, the road ahead to making your life a happier place may be challenging. However, it’ll all be worth it in the end. 

There is a range of areas to look at when it comes to improving well-being in the general sense. But, simply put, it all starts with physical and mental health. Looking at what affects each of these things will put it into perspective and guide you through changing your path. Areas that often affect unhappiness and low well-being, include:

• Financial worries
• Relationship issues 
• Lack of sleep
• Poor diet
• Dehydration
• Low fitness levels
• Bereavement 

Of course, there are also tons of other elements that can be addressed to boost your well-being. But looking at some of the above might help you identify where to start on your journey. 

There is also a myriad of strategies to help you improve your overall well-being. While maintaining a good self-care routine to ensure you stay on the road to a happier lifestyle. Take a look at some of the main points to consider to help you fulfill that ‘living your best life’ mantra.

Making time for yourself

Time for yourself! What’s that! Not surprisingly, it’s one of those things we do least of, and it’s starting to affect mental and physical health. You may find that there’s no time in the day to be pampering yourself on a whim. But if you’re not scheduling in some downtime, you’ll soon start to experience burnout. Burnout is a real issue and plays havoc with both body and mind. Feeling tired, demotivated and unhappy is just some of the main problems. However, guilt is often the most significant contributor to not getting that much-needed rest and relaxation. Feeling guilty for taking time out or being made to feel guilty is the start of a slippery path to ultimate burnout. No one person can do everything for everyone at the same time. So it’s vital to get out of the mindset that you shouldn’t be scheduling time for self-care.

That doesn’t mean you need to hide yourself away for days or weeks just to get some peace and quiet (although it would probably help!). You could just try switching off for half an hour a day. Try reading a book, or doing something you love for a short time to take your mind away from the humdrum of life. This time alone could help return some Zen to your life. Plus, it also creates a time where you can explore mindfulness. This is a well-used technique that allows you to discover more awareness about the things around you. It also assists you in looking deeper within yourself to find solutions to everyday issues. Being mindful can also rub off on others too so they too can help you find a happier path. 

In short, clearing your mind can help leaps and bounds for promoting self-care and well-being.  

Asking for help when you need it

We can all fall foul of trying to do too much on our own. Whether you feel like you don’t want to burden someone with your problems, or you don’t know whom to turn to; it can be trying time for your well-being. One strategy for coping with stress and pressures is to turn to someone else for help. However, this is often thought of as a last resort. Leaving issues to build-up will inevitably cause more harm than good, so getting help early on is vital. It might be you just need someone to lend an ear, or you might require further assistance with things such as if you recognize the signs of gambling addiction. No matter the issue, you should feel you have someone you can rely upon assistance. 

By getting the right interventions in good time can help to take the pressure off you. You will start to realize you don’t have to go it alone. Plus, getting help will ensure you are directed along the right path. One of the things that stop most people reaching out is the feeling of helplessness or weakness. However, it takes a strong person to ask for help, whether that’s from a friend or a healthcare professional. A typical character trait for most people involves giving counsel to people in need. You have to look at it from a different perspective. Would offer to help someone that needed advice or support? Yes! Then you’ll find others will return the favor without batting an eyelid. 

Look after your body

The saying is true – your body is a temple! So you should be looking after it. Modern indulgences and lack of exercise mean most people don’t do as much as they should fitness-wise. However, this could be severely affecting your well-being. Exercise is a natural mood booster, and although it might pain you to get started, it’ll help you in leaps and bounds later down the line. If you’re feeling lethargic, demotivated or just groggy on a daily basis, it could be time to start making some changes. Unhealthy lifestyles contribute significantly to your mood levels, how well you sleep and in extreme cases, major health issues. 

It’s not just exercise you need to consider either. It’s what you put into your body too. Food is the fuel for your body and mind so what you put in, you certainly get out. If you like the odd treat or twenty, why not try to cut down and introduce a healthier mix. Getting the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals is essential to ensure you’re body is in tip-top condition. 

Another element to think about is hydration. Surprisingly most people don’t drink enough throughout the day, and that affects physical and mental health. Water is vital for replenishing your cells and giving you a natural boost to make you feel more energetic and refreshed. More water you drink, the fuller you feel. So you might not need to reach for that chocolate bar or snacks after all. 

Alongside eating well and staying hydrated, getting a good night’s sleep is also vital to ensure you feel rested and rejuvenated for the day ahead. 

Building positive relationships and removing toxicity

We meet people from all walks of life on a daily basis. Some might just float through with no impact; others can make a significant dent (not all good!). Each relationship, both positive and negative, will shape you as a person. However, it’s essential to manage each carefully to ensure they have the right impact for you. In your younger years, you’ll get burnt, sometimes pretty badly. But this can help teach you lessons about the type of people and relationships you would like in the future. 

In some cases, you’ll have to make tough decisions about your acquaintances. You may need to remove some people from your life, and that includes family members. You have to remember that just because someone is family, that doesn’t give them free rein to mistreat you. 

There, of course, is a positive side to relationships, and these are the ones to hold one to. Surround yourself with people that lift your spirits and that you enjoy to be around. Healthy relationships are also those that you can talk openly about issues and feelings you have. Building trust and communication between you and your circle will help to improve your well-being and strengthen bonds for the future. 

Taking small steps to improve your self-care routine can help to build upon positive well-being and outlook gradually. Different techniques work for different people, so it’s a good idea to try out things to see what suits your lifestyle. By focusing on feeling mindful and clearing your head every now and then can ensure you create strong foundations for a happier future. Just spending a few minutes each day could benefit you, so why not give it a go!