What We Can Do for Ourselves to Feel Better

Text written by: Ensad Miljković RE&CBT Psychotherapist & Supervisor

When we turn on the light and admit that we have a problem, we begin with change. There is no change without acceptance. And in order to accept something, we do not have to like it or approve of it. To begin with, the first steps should be everyday activities.

Each of these activities is like bricks that we stack one on top of another, first to look at, and later to finally climb over this wall that is currently in front of us.

Some of the activities we can do every day that can help our well-being:

1. Sleep: Keep a regular sleep cycle. Avoid screens, heavy food and drink at least an hour before bed. If you cannot fall asleep, simply feel the warmth of the warm bed.

2. Food: We very often lie to ourselves about the amount and type of food we eat. Smaller, healthier and more regular meals give energy to both our body and our brain.

3. Exercise: Do not avoid the stairs. Do not let a day pass without spending at least half an hour walking. Later, include more challenging activities as well.

4. Stress: A good part of stress in life is unavoidable. But the degree of stress is linked to our thoughts. Not that it is not important, but perhaps some things are not that important.

5. Learning: Whether it is a new language, knitting, crosswords or reading for the soul, it is important to maintain cognitive activity as much as physical activity, and to form new mental synapses.

6. Thoughts: Pay attention to the tone of voice in which you talk to yourself. Ask yourself, would you speak this way to a small child? Learn to talk to yourself compassionately.

7. Socializing: Perhaps today your dear ones are not within reach of a touch or a hug, but so that tomorrow does not come without you, at the very least, having sent a message to a friend and asked: How are you today?

Perhaps all of these steps seem challenging even for a single day. Start with at least one step, you do not have to do everything at once.

Maybe just brush your teeth and tidy the table or the bed. Just try to survive this day.

Maybe tomorrow a slightly bigger step, then another and another, and slowly you will cross over this wall that now stands in front of you.