What is the Best Life? Top 5 Ways You Can Live Your Best Life Now
“Live your best life.” It’s a phrase we’ve all heard, whether in ad campaigns or from YouTube influencers.
But what is the best life, anyway? And how hard is it to get there?
It’s not an easy question to answer, largely because everybody has their own personal idea of what their best life is. For some, it’s living on the beach in Bali or Tahiti. For others, it’s a pied-à-terre in Paris, clean eating, or just the ability to do whatever you want to at any given time.
As for getting to your best life, that’s a different story. While we can’t guarantee that our following tips are all the right fit for you, they’re all positive life tips that’ll help you make a positive difference in your life, no matter what kind it is.
Tip #1: Live in the Moment
Living in the present moment may be more difficult than it appears. Humans spend the majority of their time dwelling on the past or future because of our conditioning. Learning how to live in the moment can improve your general well-being and enjoyment of life.
We can practice mindfulness by looking around or stopping to “smell the flowers,” according to popular belief. By taking a moment to breathe in your current reality, you can fully immerse yourself in it and take notice of things that you might have overlooked before.
Here are some techniques that help with practicing mindfulness before you look at your phone and start your day, according to Daily Practices by Mindful:
- When you wake up in the morning, sit in your chair or bed, close your eyes and concentrate on the sensations of your body and around you.
- Start your day with three deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Set your intention for the day by asking simple questions
- How might I show up today to have the best impact?
- What quality of mind do I want to strengthen and develop?
- What do I need to take better care of myself?
- During difficult moments, how might I be more compassionate to others and myself?
- How might I feel more connected and fulfilled?
During your day, check in with yourself! Take a moment, take a breath, and revisit your intention questions.
Don’t Sweat Multitasking
Adapting mindfulness and other forms of self-care into your life can be a bit of a challenge. Although it may appear to be a simple process, multitasking is really difficult to master.
During the day, juggling many things and diverting your attention to numerous distractions simultaneously prevents you from being fully present. You can recall details you might have overlooked by focusing your attention on one thing at a time rather than attempting to do multiple things at the same time. This also allows you to be grateful for what is going on and appreciate the details of that moment.
Writing down things you are grateful for is also a great way to focus on the positive elements of your life and what is happening currently. This will allow you to accept the way things are and let go of the things that you cannot control.
Tip #2: Do the Things You Love
What makes us happier than doing things we enjoy? We all have a finite amount of time to spend on anything, and we’re all aware of how important it is to be efficient with our time.
Spend your days wisely by thinking about how you use your time and where you spend it. The things you do and your surroundings have an impact on how much pleasure you get and how valuable you feel. You want to spend more time engaged in activities that contribute to your enjoyment and provide energy instead of taking it away.
Nature is a great way to heal yourself! According to UCLA Health, there are many health benefits of spending time in nature, including an improved immune system, increased cognitive function, and more.
Exploring and experimenting in your environment is a great channel for growth. Plus, you might find that you enhance your life with a new love for gardening or rock climbing.
Tip #3: Engage in Self-Care
Self-care sounds like selfishness…but it isn’t.
Self-care is self-love! Taking care of yourself is the opposite of selfishness and can look very different from person to person. It should inspire, enlighten, and encourage you to live a life that makes you happy.
By caring for yourself, you may live life more confidently, effectively, and enthusiastically.
Mind & Body
Physical health and mental health go hand in hand.
Taking care of your physical self seems like a basic concept, but it is often overlooked. Physical self-care involves caring for yourself in terms of what you are consuming, how much exercise you are getting, your sleep habits, and making sure you are not just feeling good, but you are looking good as well
Physical activity is great for reducing stress, lowering health risks, managing your weight, and improving your mood.
Your mental health matters! Often, mental health is overlooked. Now more than ever, it’s critical to look after your mental health in the face of the pandemic’s uncertainty. You can take care of your mental health by pinpointing what it is that you struggle with and asking for help.
Researchers have discovered that our brains have what’s known as “neural plasticity.” This means our brains can create new connections between nerve cells, allowing them to reroute, rewire, and grow.
It also means your brain can climb out of those negative thought patterns and rabbit holes, helping you live the life you really deserve.
Tip #4: Build and Repair Meaningful Connections
Meaningful relationships are at the very core of a happy human experience. We all want to be surrounded by people who bring meaning and love into our lives. By being open and vulnerable, we can allow these types of relationships to take root in our lives.
Here’s the thing, though: Meaningful relationships do not happen overnight; they take time. We must give energy, time, and add value to these relationships for them to work.
Although they can be challenging, the quality of these relationships directly impacts the quality of our lives. Relationships must be nurtured and given our attention in order to grow; otherwise, they will only fall away.
Tip #5: Set Healthy Boundaries For Yourself
Being an adult means setting boundaries for yourself. To keep yourself accountable, safe, and healthy, you must set boundaries and systems that aim to provide you with the best plan for happiness moving forward. By establishing these boundaries for yourself, even when they are not particularly enjoyable at that moment, you create a system that allows you to create a healthy structure for your life and monitor your behavior.
Boundaries are what keep you from staying out all night, eating fast food every night, and adding structure and discipline to your life, which adds to your overall happiness. Setting boundaries is a sign that you love and respect yourself and want to keep yourself healthy at the cost of possible gratification. It’s all because boundaries add structure and keep your life in harmony.
Boundaries are different for everyone, as our limits and needs differ for everybody. Determining your boundaries is up to you. Some examples of boundaries you can have with yourself include…
- Limiting indoor screen time
- No phones before bed
- Not staying out late
- Not drinking or eating in excess
- Not eating out every night
Living your best life means becoming the best version of yourself, mentally and physically. Your mental and physical health go hand in hand, and taking time to love and care for both of those elements of you is crucial to living a happy life.
Making a Positive Difference in Your Life with Anew
Sometimes, it’s hard to make a positive difference in your life, especially if you’re struggling with a mental health disorder. Worse, sometimes mental health disorders don’t respond to treatment.
Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry proudly offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This proven, effective method for treating anxiety, depression, and more has helped many people address their concerns, treat their symptoms, and truly live their best lives.
If you are struggling with your mental health, seek help! Reach out to Anew Era today, and we’ll help you get started on the right track.
