5 simple daily self-care activities to help transform your mindset

1. Practice mindfulness (meditation): Take a few minutes everyday day to find a quiet place, and focus on your breath. Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment as you slowly take a deep breath in through your nose and slowly release it out through your mouth. Repeat this three times. Mindfulness can help reduce your stress and promote a sense of calm in your mind and body.

Mindfulness can help reduce your stress and promote a sense of calm in your mind and bodyent/e

2. Take a break from technology: Set aside time every day to unplug from any and all technology. Walk away from or turn off your phone, computer, and TV, and engage in an activity that doesn't involve a screen. This could be reading a book, taking a walk, going for a run, bike ride, or practicing a hobby you enjoy. During this time, it's vital not to grab your phone and take a look at it when you hear it (notifications and phone calls can wait).

3. Physically move your body: Engage in some form of physical activity every day. Be wise to choose something that brings you joy so that you'll stick with it. So, just because Sarah runs and loves it, does not mean you have to if you dislike it. Choose another activity instead. Movement/exercise will help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and help to boost your self-care and self-confidence.

Sarah runs and loves it, yet this doesn't mean you have to if you dislike it.

4. Practice gratitude: Take a few minutes every day to reflect on what you're truly grateful for. Write this down in a journal book. Choose three to five things. Know that there's nothing wrong if you find yourself including some of the same "things" every day. Focusing on gratitude shifts your mindset to having a more positive outlook on your overall life.

Focusing on gratitude shifts your mindset to having a more positive outlook on your overall life

5. Re-focus on you: Throughout the day, take a few seconds to recognize how you are feeling. Are you stressed or overwhelmed? Are your shoulders hugging your ears or is your heart pounding? Go back to activity one. Know that the more you practice mindful breathing, you'll soon discover you can do this anywhere, anytime - during your commute to work, while walking and heading into a meeting, during your bathroom break. This exercise will help you reduce your stress, and anxiety, and help improve overall wellness and relaxation.

Your daily affirmation for today,

"I am proud of who I am and all that I have accomplished."