Free Ways To Unlock The Best Version Of Yourself

Self-improvement is a multimillion dollar industry with many books, tools, and gadgets available to people looking to improve mental and physical health and wellness. Many powerful tools to improve one’s life are already available at no cost, as they exist within people themselves. The key is to unlock the mind-body connection to achieve optimal health. The eight following free tips will help individuals get started on their self-improvement journey with many proven practices by a wide variety of experts.

Trick The Mind To Make Better Diet Choices

There are ways to be proactive and preventive when it comes to making smarter diet choices. For instance, when out at a restaurant, ordering a meal before hunger sets in can result in a meal more aligned with fitness goals. This works at home too; before hunger strikes, plan out the next meal. When shopping for groceries, make sure to do so on a full stomach to not make any impulsive, hunger-fueled purchases that could sabotage a healthy diet. There are also games and apps that can strengthen the mind to stick to challenges and new diet plans. The game SuperBetter provides mental, emotional and social exercises to help develop better health habits.

Visualize Physical Triumphs

Envisioning success before completing a task or goal is a critical component of cultivating mental strength. Many athletes use this skill before a big game or competition. Most professional athletes have very similar skill levels, meaning they are often equally talented. One way to stand out and achieve greater success is with the mind. Envisioning a win or successful outcome beforehand is scientifically proven to improve performance. Before working out, think about a past achievement such as a won competition, or any recent success to channel that energy for maximum performance. Another component of mental strength is to resist the temptation to compare. When visualizing success, gaze inward on your wins and not outwards on the success of others.

Push Past Physical Plateaus To Increase Emotional And Mental Benefits

When consistently working out and training for a competition, our bodies will eventually plateau. To become stronger and faster, it is important to push ourselves to overcome those physical plateaus. Crossfit star and athlete Kenny Santucci is an advocate of pushing past our physical plateaus to strengthen mental and emotional faculties. Physical training is a primal activity for human beings and very cleansing. Physically, when coming up against roadblocks, the key is to find another way to reach goals. The more challenges we overcome, the stronger the brain gets, which pushes our bodies and minds to do more. There is a reason people feel better physically and mentally after a workout. Exercising releases mood-lifting endorphins, both decreasing pain and cultivating a more positive outlook on life.

Use Technology To Support Mental And Physical Health

There is no shortage of health and wellness apps and technology tools on the market today. In 2013, health apps were valued at $6.6 billion, but by the end of 2018, they are expected to be valued at $20.7 billion. Whether looking for a weight loss tracker, heart rate monitor or a meditation app, there is something for everyone. It may seem overwhelming to be plugged into a tracker, but not all technology involves engaging with a phone. An app called Moment helps users set boundaries with their technology, bringing people back to the present. It tracks phone usage time and sends reminders when users are reaching their self-prescribed limit, ensuring people do not waste the day browsing social media.

No Time Like The Present

Committing to change can be difficult, especially when the change significantly impacts lifestyle and daily habits. Half the battle is in starting the process. While it may not seem like the ideal time to commit to a change, life does not wait, and there are always obstacles to overcome. It is best to make desired changes sooner than later. Celebrity trainer Todd McCullough inspires his clients to make the changes they need to improve their life by helping them acknowledge the pain and hurts of the past, but overcoming them by taking action. Whether desiring to achieve new exercise goals or practicing a slower pace of life, begin today.

Quality Of Sleep Matters As Much As Quantity

People are frequently reminded of the importance of getting between seven and nine hours of sleep is, but the quality of sleep matters just as much as the amount. Before settling in for the evening, avoid the blue light from phones, computers, and television. Put devices in another room to avoid being tempted to look at screens throughout the night. Consider changing the light bulbs in bedrooms to ones that do not emit blue light to avoid suppressing the production of melatonin. For optimal sleep, paint bedroom walls blue. A British study found that people with blue bedroom walls slept for two hours longer on average. Purple walls appear to have the worst impact on sleep. Not only will getting more sleep result in faster recovery time and improved performance, but it will foster better mental alertness.

Take Things Slow To Achieve More

While it may sound counterintuitive, doing less and at a slower pace can help us accomplish more. Yogi Tara Stiles says, “There's so much strength and power in softness,” referring to how people fight to keep their minds sharp and their bodies hard. Sometimes, what our minds and bodies need is a soft and gentle approach to reach an optimal state. Like practicing yoga, having life fall into a joyful flow means welcoming softness into our life decisions. Being fully present and giving our minds and bodies the time to decide what comes next is a loving and sustainable way to continue growing in strength and achievements, as opposed to pressuring one’s self to keep going, especially when rest is essential.

Continual Improvement Is Best

Just when things seem to have come full circle, and one's goals are achieved, there is still room for growth. Embarking on a wellness journey means that there is always work to be completed mentally and physically. It is important to acknowledge both the wins and the challenges of a wellness journey to refine oneself continually. Online fitness influencer Shauna Harrison says, “refinement is like the juice of the process. There’s always a little bit more that you can change or try.” It is important to keep emotional, mental, and physical wellness in harmony. Keep refining all three elements in the health and wellness journey by always finding and tackling new challenges.