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When you boil it down, we’re all on a journey to be the best versions of ourselves. It may not be plainly obvious, but so much of our life is already geared towards this goal.
It may be that you recently enrolled in a yoga course to counteract stress so that you can relax more. Or maybe you just started a new job that aligns more with your values and goals in life. Or maybe you recently called it quits with your significant other because you felt that your relationship didn’t reflect the direction you wish to take with your life.
Whatever life event you’re experiencing or have experienced, the goal is typically the same: to be a better version of ourselves.
While I wouldn’t recommend any further life disruptions to “find yourself,” there are some no-fail habits we can all benefit from to be the best versions of ourselves, and to live our best lives possible.
Here are 5 habits to make that happen.
5 Habits to Help You Be the Best Version of Yourself
1. Make quality sleep a priority. Not getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis is one thing that will consistently keep you from being your best self. When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more likely to experience stress, irritability, and even depression – all of which compromise you mental health and affect your ability to feel like yourself. Make quality sleep a priority in your life. When you’re rested and rejuvenated, you’ll find it’s easier to be confident in who you are.
2. Get outside every day. Getting outdoors every day is pivotal to our mental health. Not only does being outside provide a boost of vitamin d, it has also been shown to enhance productivity and even creativity. Make getting outside a daily benefit to reap all of the outdoors’ benefits. Whether it’s a quick 10 minute walk over lunch, sitting outside while you sip your coffee in the morning, or taking your break outside during work, just a few minutes is all you need.
3. Identify nutritional gaps in your diet. Ensuring your most optimal physical health is key to being your best self. After all, we feel most like ourselves when we feel good and have plenty of energy throughout the day. However, this can only be achieved through a solid diet and plenty of exercise. Make sure that in addition to a well-rounded diet, you’re also identifying any nutritional gaps. For example, if you don’t eat a lot of dairy, be sure you’re making up for a calcium deficit via other food sources, or by means through a supplement. Also, be sure to have a talk with your doctor about other vitamins and minerals that you may be lacking.
4. Be authentic in your interactions. We have all experienced moments of inauthenticity. For example, when we’re in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations, we may hide our real selves out of fear of rejection. This not only makes interactions with others strained and difficult, but it also makes us feel compromised later on when we feel that we haven’t been honest with ourselves. To avoid this, strive to keep your interactions authentic at all times. Let go of your need to be perfect, and live in alignment with what you value most. It may not be easy at first, but by staying true to who you are and what you believe in, you’ll find it’s easier to be the best version of yourself.
5. Limit your screen time. So many of us struggle to stay in the present moment because we’re consistently distracted by the virtual world. With a constant newsfeed reel churning out updates on a moment-to-moment basis, it can be hard to pull away from digital entities like Instagram or Twitter and live in the real world. If you really want to be your best self though, make a sincere effort to limit your screen time. For example, giving yourself only 5 minutes over lunch to “check in,” may seem daunting, but it’s worth it to live more mindfully in the present moment.
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