Simple Ways to Invest in Yourself Every Day

Ways to invest in yourself

Simple Ways to Invest in Yourself Every Day

 

Remember when our biggest worry was what toy we were going to play with that day or what to eat for a snack? It’s safe to say that, as we get older, our responsibilities pile up, leaving little time to tend to ourselves. We get into a routine of focusing on completing things for other people, such as work or helping your family, all day or to stay healthy, such as the gym, and forget about indulging in things that nourish our overall wellness and happiness. Our wants and needs (that yoga class and massage you’ve been wanting for a while) often are put second or last when up against more pressing matters of life when there are simple ways to invest in our selves. 

The thing is, in order to truly serve others and actually take care of your responsibilities you have to invest in yourself first and foremost. Your top priority is to take care of yourself in a way that will lead to a long, healthy, and meaningful life. Self-care is not a selfish act. It’s quite honestly selfish if you don’t commit to self-care. If you are depleted, distracted, and uninspired, you’ll have an energy-draining effect on those around you. however, if you’re fulfilled, enthusiastic, and purposeful, the people around you will thrive off it and share in your enthusiasm for life.

The beauty is that there are so many options for self-care practices, and they don’t have to be over-the-top indulgences. Here are four simple ways to invest in yourself that can boost happiness, improve physical and mental well-being, and lead to an overall more balanced life. Who wouldn’t want that?

Move your body every day.

After all, that’s what it is built for, right?? Physical activity is the most commonly known investment in your health. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “yeah, I check that one off of the list because I go to the gym after work every day, right?”. It is great that you get your body moving in whatever way that you can, however, why not try getting your body moving in new ways rather than the same gym day in and day out? Get outdoors and go for a run or bike ride once a week. Try rock climbing or hiking to switch up your perspective and refresh your mind and body. Invite a friend to join a spin or yoga class with you. Switching things up invites open-mindedness which causes you to feel enthusiasm for life. Try it!

However you decided to get moving, research has shown that regular exercise can reduce anxiety, improve memory and thinking skills, improve sleep quality, and be as effective for treating depression as prescription drugs. It’s also one of the most effective ways to clear cortisol (the stress hormone) from the body, helping you better cope with the more challenging moments in life.

It is recommended to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to feel the benefits. However, don’t stop there if you’re loving the movement, try for an hour or longer if you’re truly enjoying yourself.

Commit to trying new things.

Don’t see this as something to be afraid of. This is what life is about, trying new things and investing in experiences. It’s very important. This could be seeing a new place you haven’t seen before, taking a cooking class, learning a new language, traveling solo, or starting a blog. Every day presents you with new opportunities that could change your perspective on life.

Embrace the discomfort that trying new things might present that first couple of times you do this for yourself. It’s completely normal and will eventually go away as you keep trying. As you experience trying new things, You will find yourself letting go of the fear and prevent it from holding you back. You may find unknown talents and passions you might have, giving you a greater sense of purpose. A greater sense of purpose has been associated with a better ability to handle negative life events and living a longer, healthier life.

Make and maintain meaningful friendships.

It can be more difficult to make friends as adults. In a regular routine, you may find that there are fewer opportunities to meet new, like-minded people. Taking the step outside of your comfort zone to meet new people goes hand in hand with trying new things. Making the effort to join a running group, or try that cooking class you’ve been wanting to also comes with the people in those groups. These people are tending to their self-investment as well by being there. Try connecting with them. Who knows, you might make a lifelong friend.

Research shows that the effort is worthwhile in the long run. Studies have found that having more quality friends makes you significantly happier, which, in turn, is associated with a longer lifespan. Having someone to talk to that you trust can make you more resilient and better able to cope with stressful situations—which anyone who has ever vented to a friend about a bad job or relationship can understand.

Maintaining any relationship takes effort, as it should because it is an investment. It should be a positive investment. Surround yourself with people that support you without judgment and want to experience life with you! With these 4 tactics for investing in yourself, you will find yourself feeling like a whole new person. Try it!

 

Since you have already known that some ways to invest in yourself don’t need big effort or a big leap. There are still simple investments that you can do, enjoy and see big returns.