Prioritizing your Personal Strength and Well-Being

This is not only a tough time for business, but it is also a tough time for us as individuals. We have to take care of ourselves, and make sure we are emotionally and physically healthy in order to face what the coming months have in store for us.

I always try to be practical because I know how emotions can betray you. When you’re reactive, you can start to feel like you’re spiraling as anxiety increases and then you can become irrational. There is no better time than now to slow down and focus on what you CAN control and CRUSH IT!

Right now you can take steps towards doing better tomorrow. Focus on where you are going, not how you got here. If you can’t control something, let it be. Take a break and focus on what you can do right now and do it well.There are several practical steps you can focus on immediately to support your overall health and well-being.

Eat Right and Exercise.

Obviously, in order to be mentally healthy, you can’t neglect your physical health. Keep your body strong emotionally and physically by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. You have to exercise regularly in order to chemically balance your brain and body to do what needs to be done. It’s the same with eating healthfully. It’s simple, you eat like shit, you feel like shit. If you have the right fuel for your body, you will feel great physically, and you will have the mental stamina to push forward. It might take some planning, but you will be better for it.

Simple exercise also helps us when we need to show others a little grace and forgiveness because everybody is on edge and a little batshit right now. When things get heated, take a walk, meditate, or work it out however you need to. Clear your head and get those great chemicals working in your brain. 

Catch Some Shuteye.

You’ve also got to get at least 7 hours of sleep to give your brain a fighting chance to do all the work while you’re awake. Studies show Coronavirus may encourage more innovation. That innovation is going to come from your rested and balanced brain. You will wake up and be ready for better days ahead. What doesn’t come from our well rested minds often comes from the mind that is just falling into or coming out of sleep. It’s called “Theta Mode”, and it's where some of our greatest ideas begin. It’s also that co-pilot state you are in while you are brushing your teeth, or driving into work. Let’s keep those great ideas coming any way we can get 'em!

Keep It Fun.

I say it a lot and I’ll say it again. It is important in business, but it is also important on a personal level. Just like sleep, humor helps control the chemicals in your brain to work better for you. A sense of humor contributes to your sense of well-being and directs your brain to reduce stress, and boost happiness, energy, memory, and concentration. You will have a better ability to cope, you might even boost your sleep and keep those positive patterns going. Most importantly, you will improve your connection to others. 

Focus on Connections.

Social distancing and safety is important, but don’t lose the social aspect of yourself. We need to be united and we need to stick together. In this time we need to communicate now more than ever. I have great hope and understanding that if we stick together we will come out better. Reach out to each other. Now more than ever this is the time to ask others how they are doing, and listen. Do the right thing by each other always- Random acts of kindness really are powerful, not only for others, but they also promote your own sense of well-being. 

This is a marathon, not a sprint. It's going to take endurance and grit, but I have never been more sure that we can handle this together. Take care of yourselves out there!