Today’s goals. Where do YOU feature?

Make sure YOU are included in your goal-setting EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Whether you are a new parent, a home-schooling parent, a small business-owner or none/all of these, YOU need to be included in your priority list. That’s right – you heard me – YOU – right at the top, guilt-free, big and bold.

18^th January (the 3^rd Monday in January) is, in some circles, deemed “Blue Monday” – the most depressing day of the year. The truth is that this was a PR stunt by a company trying to sell holidays. We should be taking care of our mental health EVERY day of the year.

(We prefer National Brew Day 2021, #brewmonday, encouraging everyone to reach out, pick up the phone and banish loneliness)

Whether it is time-out with a cuppa, calling that friend you have been meaning to contact for a while – or both! You have the power to make a small change today, which will make a difference – to you – every single day. It is not self-indulgent; it is necessary. You count!

Not sure where to start? Perhaps you are so used to putting everyone and everything before yourself that you have forgotten how to spend your YOU time. Here are some tips to get you started:

5 Top Tips

1. Start by switching off the news and taking a break from social media. It can be rather gloomy at the moment and this “noise” can contribute to dragging you down mentally. It is OK to filter it out.
2. Get outside in the fresh air to help you with your daily dose of positivity – (this month is also National Walk the Dog Month – but you don’t need a dog to enjoy being outdoors!). Take a power walk to get that blood pumping. Exercise creates endorphins – the happy hormones, which boost your mood and positively impact your mental health and well-being.
3. Take a bath – not just any old dip – add a candle, extra bubbles, dim the lights, make it “spesh”, use the “special” soap – the one that you have been saving for a special occasion – the time is NOW! You deserve it. (a good friend of mine often says “Have the steak!”- I now often quote him)
4. Try some breathing exercises, mindfulness or meditation. Don’t know where to start? Breathe in for a slow count of 5, hold for 5, then out for 5. Repeat for 5 minutes. When a thought comes to you, just send it away and focus on a place in your mind that makes you happy.
5. Try something new! How often do we find new adventures for our friends/family? Find something new for you today – a yoga class perhaps or research a new hobby that you have been meaning to try. Not feeling adventurous? Why not escape into a new book -you could try an audio book!

So, back to today’s goals – where do YOU feature?

Written by Helen Simmons, CEO, Wife and Mother of 3 busy boys. Helen spends her You time running, growing things in the peace and quiet of her allotment and in lovely baths enjoying a good book.