Five Ways to Get Unstuck in Your Life

We get it—life can get messy. Responsibilities, career moves, family situations, and more can get in the way of focusing on our mental health. Sometimes it feels like we just don’t have enough time to take care of ourselves. Here are five ways to get to pick yourself up by the bootstraps when you’re feeling stuck.

1. Make your bed.

One of the great speeches of this decade is “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven.  It was presented to the 2014 graduating class at the University of Texas at Austin. McRaven reflects on his time spent training to become a Navy Seal. One of the first lessons he learned during his training was to complete small tasks. The program required every trainee to have a perfectly made bed in the morning. By doing this, “you will have accomplished the first task of the day,” he said. “It will give you a small sense of pride.” By doing the little things in life, you will encourage yourself to move to bigger things. Each task is motivation for the next one. By making your bed every morning, you will begin the day with achievement. Even if you have a bad day, you will come home to a made bed––one that you made; it will let you know that tomorrow is going to be a better day.

2. Follow a weekly cleaning schedule.

The Physical Activity Department of Indiana University conducted a study where they found that people with cleaner houses are more active and healthier. Considering the amount of activity cleaning requires, this makes sense. Having a clean home can also alleviate stress and anxiety. Surrounding yourself with an ever-growing and looming to-do list will remind you of all the things left undone that day. By sticking to a schedule, you give your week structure and will ultimately increase productivity. Studies also show that a clean home will increase healthy eating habits. Healthy home, healthy body, healthy mind.

3. Make plans with friends—and stick to them!

With the rise of cancel culture, it can be hard to find people you really like. In the more literal sense of cancel culture, it can be hard to keep plans with those people! Even if getting out of the house to be active when you don’t want to sounds like misery, socializing with others when you feel down is like free medicine. Face-to-face contact with others––be it friends or total strangers––releases neurotransmitters that regulate stress and anxiety. It increases dopamine which makes you feel happier. So, next time you feel like ditching plans with friends, remind yourself of how much better you will feel when you’re with them.

4. Keep a gratitude journal.

Creating a safe space for positive thoughts can help remind you of what is really important. It will show you everything beautiful in life and how much you have to be thankful for. You will gain a new perspective on what you want more of in your life and what you need to get rid of. It’s like a cleanse for your mind. You will become more self-aware and feel nourished by remembering all you have to be thankful for. Do this in the morning to start the day on a happy note, or do it at night to get a better, less stressful sleep. Your schedule is up to you, but write down as much as you can.

5. Listen to self-improvement podcasts.

Practice is permanent. By practicing a healthier lifestyle, you will eventually have one. Here are five podcasts that will help you get to where you want to be:

1. The Mindvalley Podcast
2. The GaryVee Audio Experience
3. The Minimalist Podcast
4. The Dave Ramsey Show
5. The Jordan Harbinger Show

These five tips will help you refocus your life and keep yourself balanced during all craziness that is life.