1. Set Goals
It is always important when trying to become the best version of yourself to think about the future. What do I want to accomplish? How do I want other people to view me? How do I want to be remembered? The best way to achieve the answers to these big life questions is to set goals for yourself. Big or small, goals are motivators. They help us manage our time and make the most of our time and energy. Besides being motivators, goals keep us focused and give us purpose. Without focus, our talents and abilities are basically useless. Goals help us direct our attention and abilities toward a certain outcome, therefore making us more productive. Personally, I know I feel better about myself when I'm being productive, so goal setting is a no-brainer for self improvement for me. Along with giving us a sense of purpose, the feeling of satisfaction you get after fulfilling a goal is indescribable. Setting goals is a way to feel empowered and keep us from becoming complacent. Set goals to make the most of your time and give your life a newfound purpose.
As a college student, I completely understand how it is sometimes virtually impossible to get a full night's rest. But trust me, getting enough sleep is CRUCIAL to improving your mood and overall well being. The amount of sleep we get affects us physically and mentally. When we don't sleep we feel drowsy, sluggish, and unmotivated.Getting enough sleep can brighten your mood and make your day way more enjoyable. Trying to get a couple extra hours of sleep each night can improve your daily routine more greatly than you would imagine. Having that extra surge of energy will help your focus and better your mood so that you can get things done and feel good about yourself while doing it.
3. Exercise
A big part of my daily routine that always seems to boost my mood is exercising. Whether it's an hour at the gym or just a walk around the block, getting up and being active is beneficial for both our minds and bodies. By exercising, not only are you improving your physical health, but you're also improving your mental state. When you exercise your body releases endorphins which are these super cool chemicals that block your body's perception of pain. These chemicals are also known to trigger feelings of positivity and relief. Exercise is also an amazing outlet for stress. Sometimes when I've been studying for a long time it helps to get up and get active. It provides a temporary relief for my mind and helps me focus better when I want to get back on task. This could be effective for anyone who needs help focusing. The truth is, there's no downside to including a little bit of exercise into your routine. Exercise can make you healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually, which is extremely important when trying to be at your best.
4. Take Time For Yourself
Yes. Believe it or not it's okay to be a little selfish sometimes and take some time for yourself. What we do for leisure plays a huge role in our over all well being. Nobody likes to work all the time. Period. We all need an outlet to channel our worries and stresses into. Maybe it's listening to music. Maybe it's curling up in bed after a long day and reading a book. It could even be something as simple as flipping through a magazine or watching an episode of your favorite show. It doesn't have to take hours and it doesn't need to be complicated. Just take a little while every now and then to do something non-work related that you enjoy. This will remind you that there is more to you than just your occupation or your role as a student. Feel free to utilize your talents and abilities to make the most of your leisure time: write a poem, paint a picture, mix some music. The bottom line is everyone needs some alone time to reflect on themselves and to do something that they enjoy. Taking time for ourselves is an important part of learning to accept ourselves and finding an identitiy.
5. Surround Yourself With Good People
Okay, this is a big one. While self improvement comes from a place within us, the people we surround ourselves with can make a huge impact on our mood and overall well being. You want to surround yourself with people who are supportive and WANT you to succeed. That excludes jealous people and people that feel the need to compete with you constantly. Whether it's your parents, a sibling, and significant other, or a best friend, surround yourself with those who want to see you thriving and being the best version of you that you can be. Don't feed into other's negativity or get caught up in what other people may have that you may not. Good people will encourage you to work hard and be supportive of your decisions. Having a strong support system will make you feel safe and encouraged to take steps in the right direction. Hold onto those that are honest with you and not only celebrate with you in your happy moments but also stick it out with you through your worst. If you can follow the above tips and find yourself a solid support system, CONGRATULATIONS! You are on your way to becoming the best YOU there is to be.
