Did you know September is Self Improvement Month? That makes this the perfect time to reflect upon some of the things that we all need to improve in our lives — and how we can better take care of ourselves. After all, you have to take care of yourself first before you can take care of others. Perhaps more importantly, taking time to reflect on how we can improve our own lives allows us to take the steps to become who we aspire to be.
As a small business owner, and mother of two, I’m all about reflecting on self-improvement. I’m grateful to have had a few people in my life that always push me to be better, and believe that having a strong support system is key to this. From family life, to career moves and personal health, I think I can speak for many others that these few areas top the charts when it comes to places we’re consistently looking to improve upon. That’s why I thought this would be a good opportunity to round up some of the best resources that have helped me address these areas along the way.
A Healthy Lifestyle
Diet and excercise. We all know it should be top of mind but can come up with a million reasons to put these essentials the backburner. Experts say just 15 minutes a day of cardio excercise can do wonders for your health. Instead, we find excuses time and again not to put the energy into it. Now more than ever, professional trainers and gyms offer online options so you never have to leave the house to get a workout. I personally love Gaia, an online streaming yoga platform that I’ve used for many years. It offers so many options for classes at an incredibly affordable price and includes an app so you can literally do yoga or pilates anywhere from your phone.
After doing a ton of research and being one of those people who’s “tried every diet”, I came across an ad for Prolon, the “fast-mimicking diet," a 5-day cleanse with plant based food. After my first run with ProLon, I lost five pounds and felt as though I had gone through a major detox. It felt great, and I wanted to keep the feeling going.
The truth is, you don’t really need to make major lifestyle changes to feel healthier. Maybe it’s just a 10 minute walk you add to your daily routine, or shortening the timeframe in which you’re eating. Maybe you just need a few minutes of meditation each day. Below are a few books I’ve used to help me ease into a healthier lifestyle. I highly recommend I’m so Effing Tired, a pretty enlightening read about the connection between chronic illnesses, diets, and our sedentary lifestyles.
Work/ Life Balance
There are a million self-help books on the market that cover everything from work/life balance — to improving self-confidence — to managing relationships with family members and friends. Curl up with a book or two that might introduce you to some new and helpful ideas. Here are a few of our picks:
Give Back
Whether you’re serving as a church member or volunteering for a local organization, people who volunteer cite that it gives them a sense of purpose. Identify one or two charities that align with your interests and commit to volunteering a few hours a week or month. You'll be helping them, and yourself.