Author: admin

There are some people who seem to think that happiness is the result of all the right wheels turning at just the right time. You’re walking down the street, find twenty dollars, get a compliment from a stranger, meet the perfect guy or girl (and don’t totally make a fool of yourself), go to your favorite store and get 50% off, etc., etc. It’s easy to be happy when everything seems to be going your way, but I think that defining happiness that way reduces it to a by-product of luck, or an
accident, which it is not. In fact, I might even argue that luck is a byproduct of happiness if I was in a particularly feisty mood. Happiness doesn’t just happen. Some days are good, but there are probably more days that are just mediocre or plain bad, and it’s on those days that the true nature of happiness is revealed. Have you ever met someone who stayed positive, even when they’re having a bad day, and everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong? If you’re having a bad day, too, just being near someone like that can be uplifting (although for others it is annoying, but that usually just stems from jealousy).
People who are able to smile even through the worst of times have learned a very important lesson, the same lesson I stated above: Happiness doesn’t just happen. Happiness is a choice. That’s right, a choice. Not an accident, not a charitable gift from the universe. Of course, it’s nice to receive those gifts, and easy to be happy when you do, but happiness is about choosing to see the adventure in every moment, choosing to understand that there will always be a light after the dark, that there is always good in every situation and every person, no matter how grim
things may seem. That’s the key to happiness: choosing it. It’s not an easy choice all the time, and it very well may be the last thing you want to do sometimes. When grief strikes, or when you just can’t seem to catch a break, sometimes you just want to sulk and stay upset, perpetuate the sadness. It’s a natural response, but it isn’t a required behavior, it’s a choice. And choosing to be happy will make you a better, stronger, wiser, more longsuffering person. We always have the choice to be happy. Learning to change our attitude is frustrating, but worth it in the end. When we choose to be happy, things tend to work in our favor, and luck seems to be on our side; and even if things don’t happen the way you want them to, if you choose to be happy, you can accept situations for what they are and make the most of life, no matter the hand it deals you. And remember that you can always contact Call Talk Vent to talk and vent and get back to your Happy Place! We look forward to listening.

Some people seem to struggle each day to find contentment or a happy way of living, while others easily face each day with spirit. Have you ever thought about which type of person you are? Or how this might describe those around you? There’s value in surrounding yourself with people who know how to lift their own spirits – which means they’ll probably lift yours, too! It’s one of our favorite tips for learning how to be happier.
1. Happiness is contagious: One of the best ways to find happiness is to find those who know how to nurture and create their own happiness and share it freely. Spend time around these people and you’ll find yourself seeing the world differently.
2. Laughter is a great way to bond with others: A great way to connect with others is to share laughter or spend time having fun with them. Watching how someone reacts to a funny situation, and feeling yourself pulled into the good humor, is a great way to bond and get to know each other better.
3. Less complaining is good for everyone: We all know life can be hard. We all have our struggles. But isn’t it refreshing to spend time with people who don’t waste time and energy complaining? You can almost feel your spirits lifting around someone who is willing to see the good in things.
4. Learn coping strategies: We all have our strategies for dealing with hard days and rough times. But it can’t hurt to take inspiration from those around you. They may have ideas you haven’t considered. Better yet, you might be invited to join them! Their evening walks or bookstore wanderings may become your new favorite outlet on stressful days.
5. We become like those we keep closest: There’s an old saying that we become like those we choose to hold closest. Look around at your inner circle of friends and confidantes. Are they who you would like to become? Do you admire and respect them? If not, perhaps you should consider why you don’t and open your circle to new inspiration.
It’s worth the time it may take to consciously surround yourself with people who can create goodness for themselves, and those around them. Take a look around you and see – do you seem to be drawn to happy people? Why or why not? Finally, CallTalkVent.com is always available for you to talk and vent to get back to your Happy Place. Call anytime to talk and vent out any and everything that is keeping you from being happy

Source: Happier.com

We all hear the phrase “self-care” often and may think of spa days or ways to treat ourselves. While these can be great ways of taking care of ourselves, selfcare is much more than that. Self-care is taking care of yourself emotionally, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually so that you are at peace and in total alignment with yourself. Self-care means attending to your own needs, so you are bringing your best self to your relationships, commitments, work, and anywhere else you spend time.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is a daily practice we must incorporate into our routines. When we are dealing with day-to-day stressors or larger stressors such as a pandemic and everything in between, practicing self-care is part of the solution to the problems thrown our way. Self-care includes taking into account our whole health in a holistic view to include emotional and spiritual health. Self care validates that you are a priority and your needs matter. By placing yourself as a priority, you are telling your inner self that you matter, and your needs are valid. By honoring your own self first, you are healing the parts of you that need the most love and attention.
Some ways to care for your whole self-include:
• Exercise
• Taking time to appreciate and be in nature
• Getting enough sleep
• Having nutritious meals
• Taking a break from social media
• Spending time with meaningful relationships
• Engaging in something creative
When you take the time to focus on ways you can truly care for yourself, you are taking real steps in managing your own stress levels and overall well-being.1 Why Is Self-Care Important? Self-care is critical in your overall wellness. Practicing self-care requires you to do routine check-ins with yourself like you do with friends and family. It asks you to consider where you are physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and helps you to unwind and deal with stressful situations. What you do for self-care is unique for you and there is no wrong way to practice self-care as long as you are benefitting from your actions. Practicing self-care can help you maintain homeostasis. It can help reduce anxiety without resorting to medication, as well as stress or depression symptoms. When you are attuned to your needs and taking time to care for your overall wellness, you are better equipped to be there for others as well. It also helps to take time to recognize the good and pausing to calibrate and take inventory of your life can be eye-opening.
There are many benefits of practicing self-care, including:
• Lower cortisol levels
• Happier relationships
• Better sleep
• Improved immune response
• Increase in self-esteem
• Improved productivity
• Positive health outcomes
• More positive thinking
• Lower likelihood of depression and anxiety
Types of Self Care
The key three types of self-care are:3
1. Physical Self Care
This type of self-care focuses on taking care of your physical health and wellbeing. This means making sure you get enough sleep, eat enough nutritious meals and get enough exercise. We hold a lot of tension and stress in our bodies even if we don’t realize it, so it’s important to implement ways in which you can relax your body and release that stress.
2. Mental & Emotional Self Care
This type of self-care puts your mind and feelings at the forefront. This means taking time to pay attention to how you feel, making sure you are caring for your emotional health, taking a break from draining situations and giving yourself permission to end a commitment or say no. It’s important that you understand what your boundaries are and calibrate them
if you need to in order to properly care for your mental and emotional health.
3. Spiritual Self Care
This type of self-care centers on faith, whatever it is you believe in. If you practice a religious faith, this includes reconnecting with what you believe and spending time cultivating your spiritual connections and values. If this is outside of religion, it means taking time to meditate, journal, or participate in any other type of practice that helps you align your mind, body, and spirit.
How to Make a Self-Care Plan
Starting out on a self-care journey can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never taken the time to think about your own needs and wants. The first way to plan self-care is by doing just that–sitting with the new feeling and learning what it’s like to think of yourself first. It can feel confusing or uncomfortable but take a moment to acknowledge how you’re feeling, and it will help you learn how to listen to your inner voice. When creating a plan, you should first think about why self-care is important and learn about the different types of self-care, considering where you might be lacking (are you getting enough sleep? Are you feeling disconnected to yourself or others spiritually?). Next, you want to think about what your goals are for yourself. Once you have some goals established, you can work on a plan to reach those goals.
Ways to establish this plan include identifying your stressors and triggers:
• What is adding stress or conflict to your life right now?
• How long have you been feeling like this?
• How have you managed this in the past?
• Did it help?
Taking time to ask yourself some important questions can help guide you in your self-care plans. If you know something hasn’t worked in the past, taking a moment to recognize that and consider another way of stress management is an example of practicing self-care. Once you have all your triggers written out and you’ve asked yourself these tough questions, you can now think about what you want to change to help you manage those stressors. This can be done with journaling, speaking with a trusted loved one, or with the guidance of a therapist. It’s important that when planning for self-care, you take into account what you may need, such as time, quiet space, clean space, energy, or sleep, and consider these to ensure your self-care experience is the best that it can be. Ensure you can clear enough room to properly take care of those needs, guilt free.4 25 Self Care Activities to Consider
There are numerous ways to practice self-care, including:
1. Spending time with friends and family
2. Spending time alone
3. Taking a walk
4. Getting enough sleep
5. Setting up an exercise routine that you enjoy
6. Joining a fitness club
7. Going to yoga
8. Cooking a healthy meal
9. Enjoying quiet time
10. Contacting Call Talk Vent to talk and vent out your feelings
11.Sitting in nature
12.Gardening
13.Attending a religious service
14.Volunteering
15.Practicing mindfulness
16.Indulging in something you enjoy
17.Journaling
18.Taking social media breaks
19.Painting or drawing
20.Community service
21.Getting a massage
22.Cleaning your space
23.Trying something new
24.Traveling to a new place
25.Guided meditation
Final Thoughts on Self Care
There are many ways to define what self-care is for you and there is no wrong way to practice self-care as long as you feel good about what you are doing. Selfcare may involve seeking help for mental health from a therapist to truly take care of yourself. It can take time to incorporate self-care activities in your day-today schedule, but with baby steps, you can set yourself up for success, balance, and fulfillment.

Source: Choosing Therapy

The concept of self-care can be different from person to person, but on a fundamental level, practicing self-care means taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Taking care of your mental well-being may not be as cut and dry as attending to the physical needs of food, hydration and hygiene. For some, simple things
that keep our physical health taken care of can make a significant, positive impact on our mental health as well. Finding a personal means of self-care is important in helping you maintain your overall positive mental health. Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your
mental, physical and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care but we should as it can affect our mental health. Everyone has
mental health so self-care isn’t only for those who struggle with mental illness. It is important to take time to do things for our well-being to refresh and recharge so we can
feel and be at our best. Self-care techniques and general lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms of many mental health problems. They may also help prevent some problems from
developing or getting worse. Self-care is vital for building resilience toward those stressors in life that you can’t eliminate. Many of these techniques revolve around
basic concepts that can be easily neglected. Self-care relies on increased self-awareness. Practicing self-awareness can help you
recognize patterns in your emotions, including situations that can trigger worsened symptoms. It can also help identify what activities or tasks are necessary for your well being, soothe negative symptoms of a mental illness or stress, or simply bring pleasure
or relaxation.
• Identify the things that matter to you. Ask yourself the tough questions to identify the things that mean the most to you. Your answers should determine your approach to living. Keeping an eye on your priorities will help you make decisions about how you spend your time.
• Change your mindset. Too often, we focus on the negatives while showing little appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. Cherish the good memories. Take time to be still and meditate more. Adopting a gratitude mindset puts you on the path to achieving the highest level of self-care.
• Take a quick mental survey of your body. While breathing deeply, scan your whole body, releasing tension as you find it. Check your posture and adjust as necessary. It only takes a few seconds to do but can provide an immediate change.
• Sleep and rest are important elements of any self-care routine. Practice healthy sleep habits and listen to your body’s needs. Too many people are sleep deprived, and it takes a toll on our physical and mental health. Daytime naps are also an excellent way to refresh and improve concentration levels. Your body needs time to rest and renew.
• Exercise in some form. The body and the mind have a unique connection. Research has shown that regular exercise increases serotonin levels in the body significantly, improving mood and energy. While it’s recommended that you get 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, that may not be possible. Focus on getting whatever amount of exercise you can, since even a short walk to the mailbox is better than doing nothing.
• Practice healthy eating habits. Eating regularly can help you feel better. While healthy eating is a great form of self-care, so is simply being sure to eat something each day.
• CallTalkVent.com. Make it a practice to show self-care by talking and venting out your stressful areas. A short 7-minute call will do wonders for your mental state. Other suggestions include setting aside time to talk with a counselor, therapist or a trusted friend regularly. Read, reflect, journal or otherwise engage with your thoughts. Take up an old hobby or start a new one. Even playing with a pet can be very beneficial for your mental well-being.
Adopting self-care tips into your daily or weekly routine is not only vital for your mental health, research suggests the more we practice self-care activities, the more confident, creative, and productive we are. Not to mention we also experience more joy, make better decisions, build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively. Your self-care options will depend on what works best for you, what you enjoy, and your energy levels, personality, and other factors. Never feel guilty for taking care of yourself. You deserve it.

Source: West TN Healthcare