Good Habits, Bad Habits, Well Habits- So What?
5 Tips for Self-awareness
Do you welcome change? Do you believe that you can learn self-awareness? Do you believe that if you become more self-aware, it will change your health and life?
Today, hundreds of thousands of people are battling a chronic disease. Many have multiple chronic conditions that need ongoing treatment. As the population increases, needs are rising. Statics say that 2030 these chronic conditions could cost sufferers upwards of 47 trillion in U.S. healthcare spending. Why is this happening?
Why are people getting so sick? There are various reasons, but one is something we all can control. Two short words give us part of the answer- Bad Habits. If you are battling a chronic condition, self-awareness can help you through each day. Develop good habits — healthy habits because you are worth it.
It's Not Easy- Put Your Mind to it!
Changing our daily habits is difficult. We resist change because starting a new habit can be overwhelming and hard work. I resist change; most humans do. Starting a new habit is about making firm decisions for change.
If you want to change something to achieve a particular result or goal, you must establish repetitive habits over time. If you want to see change, you need to change your habits. Bad habits are often the culprit that will hold you back from achieving your goals. And we have all been there.
We must resist bad habits and cultivate good ones that serve our health. Good habits lead us to the well-being of the soul (mind, body) and spirit. Alternatively, bad habits can exasperate illness and medical conditions and lead us down a path we don't want to go.
If you want to find a way to overcome habits that drag you down, you must become aware of what is going on. You become aware of any destructive habits that hold you back from a fruitful life. I will help you to cultivate good habits. I like to call them Well-Habits!
First Things First — Self-awareness
Let’s get first things first; you can only develop well-habits if you are self-aware. So, let’s take a moment to get to know how you are feeling right now and honestly ask yourself-
- What drives my decisions?
- How do I feel about myself as a person?
- How do I feel about the people in my life?
- Am I happy with my behaviour when things are calm or under pressure?
- What causes me to behave the way I do?
Jesus said, ‘You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free’. Do you want to be free to be the Real You? If the answer is Yes! I invite you to Read on.
Self-awareness is Key to your success. To start you off, here are My Top 5 Tips for Self-Awareness for Success.
1. Establish why self-awareness is important to you.
2. Understand what self-awareness is and how it works in you.
3. Learn how to become self-aware of your mind (mindfulness, behaviours)
4. Learn how to become self-aware of your body (body awareness)
5. Learn how to become self-aware of your spirit (inner self/spirituality)
Of course, all of this takes work. But it is with the effort to see positive results.
Self Reflect Often.
Self-awareness is often defined as the ability to engage in honest self-reflection. Seeing yourself as others see you. Self-awareness is learning to understand why you feel what you do and react in a particular way.
Once you begin to practice regular self-reflection, you have the opportunity and freedom to change things about yourself. This will enable you to create the life you want. You will become the CEO of your own life.
No longer will you be bounced around by unruly behaviours and emotions. You better keep yourself in check because you will know yourself.
It’s almost impossible to change and become self-accepting if you are unsure of who you are. Clarifying who you are and what you want is empowering. It affords you the courage and confidence to make even the most challenging changes.
Advantages Self-Awareness.
Being self-aware is vital for both personal and professional success. It is also vital to overcoming negative behaviours and habits.
When you are self-aware, you empower yourself. You can choose where to focus your emotions, energy, and personality to improve and direct your life’s course.
Self-awareness helps you be much more aware of your thoughts, emotions and behaviours and helps you how to guide your life.
Looking at yourself objectively is the best way to develop self-awareness continually. In other words, see yourself as others see or perceive you.
The more self-aware you become, the more you can improve, make positive changes and learn new habits. You will become the person you desire to be, enhancing your life and lifestyle.
You are Special.
As you develop an awareness of the self, you connect with your uniqueness and the essence that makes you — You! God made you unique and loved you deeply. God is there to discover and connect with you, aiding your humanity.
To grow in your self-awareness, make it a habit to examine your inward self. Examine your associated behaviour, and re-evaluate your core values. Become self-conscious and an objective evaluator of yourself.
Negative feelings- Negative Habits.
Let me share something with you. When I feel overwhelmed and panicked, I get into harmful habits. This often worsens matters for me to the point I get overwhelmed.
What makes me feel down isn’t always apparent at the time, which adds to my distress. Yet, as I grow in self-awareness, I understand why these unwanted feelings occur. Then half the battle is won because I can better deal with them, which makes me hopeful that things will be okay.
Let Your Pen Do the Thinking.
I have learned the value of jotting things down to form good habits and become self-aware. So, when I feel low, I note it down. I briefly describe how I feel and the circumstance that led to it, then date it. Then, I can better evaluate my reactions. I can see why a particular activity, circumstance or situation made me feel out of kilter.
For example, when I feel overwhelmed and cannot fathom why, I look at my notes to see if a similar feeling and circumstance occurred at some point. Reviewing my past reactions, I can see a pattern of behaviour emerging.
Reviewing my past reactions, I can better adjust myself and the circumstances. I will be more apt to compensate somehow to work through my thoughts and the situation better next time. Looking at my notes, I realise the importance of taking the time, and effort, to jot things down. Sometimes writing does take an effort, especially if you are dyslexic like me. Yet it's worth doing; the rewards are many.
The Habit of Self Care.
Remind yourself to care for yourself. Put yourself on your priority list. I often fall on this, putting self-care aside for business or home tasks. It is of utmost importance to your total well-being to care for yourself. Set a self-aware routine, and form good habits to sustain the routine. And be consistent with it daily.
Awareness of self is self-care. It is an excellent tool for coping with all the feelings and reactions you experience. Develop good self-care habits which serve you well. You will be better able to spot your negative feelings and learn positive reactions while resisting negative ones.
Never Give Up on Yourself.
Self-awareness will change your health and life. Remember, you are a holistic being, so care for the whole person. Self-Care is about looking after your mind (mindfulness) and your body and spirit (soul).
If you are battling a chronic disease or a condition, self-awareness can help you through your challenges. Develop good habits, well habits- it is worth it because You are Worth It!
Thank you for reading to the end. For more Tips, visit, Your Wellness Matters. www.paularoseparish.com. We collect Donations for Welsh Women’s Aid
I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.
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