A healthy and happy lifestyle doesn’t stop with being active physically. To be totally fit, fabulous, healthy and happy you need to also include mental health and spiritual health.
As part of Healthy Women’s Week which is next week, I wanted to focus on YOU and share a month’s worth of ways to keep fit, active and happy in a holistic way. Remember the message for Healthy Women’s Week is #myhealthfirst.
Last year, I held my 31 days to focus on YOU series, which you might like to refer to. I wrote about various ways to look after yourself and one in particular was Creating a self-care plan for life. I had found this idea in an article and you can read the details in the post.
Part of creating a self-care plan is to include 6 areas of self-care to consider when forming your plan.
- Workplace or Professional – ways to keep your work standard at an acceptable level
- Physical – ways to keep your body and mind healthy and fit to provide energy for work and play
- Psychological – ways to rest, relax and recover to keep good mental health and clarity
- Emotional – Being able to experience your full range of emotions
- Spiritual – taking the time to step out of day-to-day life
- Relationships – ensuring your relationships are healthy and supportive
31 ways to focus on YOU for a healthier & happier lifestyle
Don’t forget to download your FREE copy of my 31 ways to focus on YOU to help get you started. Select one idea from the list each day and tick off when you have completed it.
How do you put the focus back on YOU?
Could you add to my list?
42 Comments
Hi, Sue – Thank you for your consistent hard work to empower others. Your words are very wise and you are incredibly generous. I agree that mental health and spiritual health are ESSENTIAL to our total well-being I look forward to reading more that you have in store for us!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Donna it makes me feel validated in what I write and if I’m helping others that is such a wonderful bonus for me. Thank you for your support and friendship xx
You always have such great advice, Sue. I pinned the graphic, there are some really great actionable items in each category with which to make ourselves healthier and better! From #MLSTL and shared also on Mix!
Thank you so much Terri – you always build my self-esteem. I’m so pleased you liked the graphic and found it useful. Have a beautiful week and thank you for linking up and supporting #MLSTL xx
I know my Facebook and Twitter friends will love the ’31 Ways’ to balance Mind/Body/Spirit. Now that I’m in my 70’s I’m grateful that I learned the importance of that balance because it seems Body maintenance sometimes can overwhelm. Getting into the right frame of mind and seeking spiritual strength helps me to stay committed to physical wholeness. Thanks Sue! #MLSTL
http://www.meinthemiddlewrites.com
Thank you Mary Lou for sharing and you are right Body maintenance can overwhelm us sometimes. Have a beautiful day and thank you for joining us at #MLSTL. xx
Thank you for the practical ways to take care of ourselves better step by step. I’ve downloaded the list and plan to spend some time with it.
Hi Christie, I’m so pleased you found the list useful and I think it actually compliments your post this week about stress. Have a lovely day and thanks for stopping by xx
I love your 31 ways to focus on you Sue – fantastic! I need to do a bit more of this at the moment as I’m feeling quite out of whack and balance. I think a getaway or a holiday would help very much! xo
Hi Min, it has been quite a while since you had a break plus you have had lots happening with the new kitchen and your new Gorgeous Woman business. I’ve sent you an email separately but I hope you have a beautiful day and please take care of yourself. xx
Hi Sue – I love that these are all so do-able and things I actually enjoy doing regularly. I’ve pinned it for future reference and will encourage myself to start focusing on things that make me happier and healthier – win/win!
Thanks for another great co-hosting of #MLSTL 🙂
Hi Leanne – I’m so pleased you liked the infograph. I actually resurrected it from my Focus on You month from last July. It is still valid and I thought it time for us all to have a check list again. At least it is a starting point. Have a lovely day and thanks for co-hosting #MLSTL we make a great team 🙂
A lovely post Sue with a great list and a really important theme. I am so behind this month (and yes I owe you an email!) and taking time for myself seems impossible but we did head out to the movies this morning – even at this time of life it feels deliciously naughty to do that during business hours on a weekday ;-). Sharing on SM
Hi Jan, please don’t stress about the post life can get so hectic! It does seem ‘deliciously naughty’ (love that!) to be going to the movies on a Wednesday morning. What did you see? P.S. Loved your latest video interview with Adrift! xx
I love this checklist. As always, inspiring.
Thank you, Jo! Enjoy the rest of your week. xx
Such great tips Sue, I’ve printed out the sheets and will be ticking them off. Thansk so much for your ideas and sharing with us. #mlstl
Hi Deb, it is actually a graphic I used in my 31 days to Focus on You series, last July. I thought it was worthwhile publishing it again and it has certainly proven to be popular xx
Hi Sue,
Like others, I appreciate having a downloadable list. And since I love checking items off a list, having it in this form means I’m more likely to take the actions you’re recommending. Thanks 🙂
I’m a list girl Karen and yes, I prefer to have a printed copy that I can tick off and have front and centre as a reminder. I hope you had a lovely birthday and enjoy the rest of your week. xx
It us so important to spend time caring for yourself! As I nurse I am always telling family members this!
I like to tell them even when you fly they remind you to take care of yourself first, then help those around you. (When talking about the drop down oxygen mask)
Thank you for the great tips!
Hi Michelle, yes I believe the oxygen mask example is a perfect way of explaining why we need to take time to care for ourselves. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day! xx
Great list! Pinning and tweeting to share.
Thanks for sharing Leah and glad you enjoyed my thoughts and ideas. Have a lovely day! xx
This is a terrific list, Sue, and I’ve already checked at least one thing off that I do consistently – eat dark chocolate! I love that you handed me an easy win. ? I’m going to print it and start working on some other items now. Like drink a glass of water and take a nap! #MLSTL
Good for you Molly it is always good to read something about healthy and well-being and actually want to do it! Enjoy your nap 🙂 xx
I love your list because you include all of our senses and environments we encounter during the day. So many self-care suggestions only focus on physical. #MLSTL Brenda
Hi Brenda, I firmly believe that we need to focus on our physical, mental and spiritual well-being and I tried to cover these three areas with ideas on ways we can focus on self-care. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by x
I love your list, Sue! Some of the ways are so simple, but I know I don’t take the time to make them a part of my day…morning stretches, time away from the tech world, reading a book, scheduling time with good friends. It’s so easy to focus on everything but our own health and well being.
Hi Candi I think we all need to be constantly reminded to look after ourselves as it doesn’t really come naturally. Have a lovely day! xx
Right now I’m learning to close the door on my family after breakfast so I can get my workout & writing in! Self care is essential. #MLSTL
That is any excellent idea Marya! Not always easy to do but at least you have some kind of routine in place and the family knows that is ‘your time’. Have a great weekend! xx
Love and be loved.
I like that you and I both focused on self-care in September. I created a calendar and while I see some overlapping ideas, there are plenty of different things on your list than on mine. New things for me to try!
Hi Jennifer, I’m off to read yours now as I will probably get some good advice from you. I don’t think we can focus enough on self-care so I’m pleased we both wrote about the topic as a reminder for ourselves and our readers. Have a beautiful week! x
Hi Sue, thank you very much for sharing your post at #seniorsalon. I shared it on my Share, Care & Inspire FB page and also RT.
Thank you Esme, I’m just starting to catch up with all the contributors. Some great reading this week. x
Thanks so much for sharing Esme and also for the opportunity to link up xx
Always great advice. It’s important to take care of all the areas of your life and especially important to take care of yourself. I say affirmations every day. Mostly when I’m out walking because I have the least distractions and it feels good to move.
That is a good time to reflect isn’t it, Rebecca? Walking has so many advantageous. Have a great week!
Hi, Sue! Thank you for your ideas. I suppose this list of ways might be useful for several generations and for modern world teens too. As for example, I would try to have a technology free day, and if not each week then each two weeks.
Yes Igor, this list could be for any age really. I find it difficult having a technology free day but when I do it is amazing how relaxed it feels not checking the social media all the time 🙂