A Twelve-Step Plan for Improving Your Character

It's common to believe that you could be doing more to improve yourself. But being too harsh on yourself won't help you become a better person. In actuality, the reverse is true.

Your capacity to treat those around you with kindness and compassion will increase the more self-kindness and self-compassion you can cultivate. Additionally, helping others might give your life a deeper sense of purpose. Even your physical and emotional health may benefit from it.

Here are some suggestions for incorporating self-improvement into your everyday routine and letting go of self-critical ideas.

1. Develop gratitude

You've undoubtedly heard it a million times, but maintaining a gratitude journal of your blessings can significantly change your outlook. According to research, practising thankfulness every day can reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and foster happier interpersonal relationships.

If you're having trouble figuring out what you should be thankful for, Anna Hennings, MA, a mental performance coach in sport psychology, suggests utilising the acronym GIFT.

Hennings advises including the reason for your gratitude together with the items you're glad for.

2. Welcome everyone you encounter.
Make an effort to notice individuals around you when you see them, advises psychologist Madeleine Mason Roantree. This might be done in a variety of ways, such as nodding or smiling to strangers passing by or greeting everyone who enters the workplace.
By doing this, even if you don't have a deep relationship with someone, you can notice that you feel more present and connected to others around you.

3. Engage in a digital detox

Even a little period of electronic abstinence can be good to your health. Take a break from your phone for a few hours the next time you have nothing to do.

Instead, consider taking a walk and getting in touch with your ideas.

Take a break from your phone, whether it be for a few hours or the full day. Try going outside to connect with nature or meeting up with friends in person as an alternative. Keep in mind that even a brief vacation from your phone might help you relax and concentrate on what makes you happy.

4. Talk to yourself well.

It's simple to get sucked into being too critical of your perceived flaws and harsh with yourself. Hennings claims that this destructive self-talk can reduce our motivation in general.

It can be challenging to find motivation to move toward self-improvement if, for example, you frequently remind yourself that you aren't a decent person.

Declare a fact and then be optimistic to practise positive self-talk.

The difficult part is recognising when you are thinking negatively and consciously choosing to change your perspective. However, with enough practise, this will get simpler.

5. Engage in spontaneous acts of generosity

Giving others the benefit of the doubt can help you feel more purposeful and less alone.

Try to be kind to someone you don't know:

*Congratulate a total stranger.

* Buy your coworker lunch.

*Send a friend a card.

*Give to someone who is in need.

When you do good just out of delight, you'll experience a slight improvement in your mood, according to Roantree. According to studiesTrusted Source, feeling grateful and happy can be increased by merely keeping track of acts of kindness for a week.

6. Consciously consume at least one meal.

It's easy to eat your food quickly without paying attention to your body when you're caught up in the middle of a busy day.

You can check in with both your physical and emotional well-being when you eat mindfully.

Take your time eating a meal, even if it's simply a sandwich. Take note of the various flavours and textures. It's a brief form of meditation that Roantree describes as a straightforward "de-stressor."

Uncertain about where to begin? Our mindful eating manual can be useful.

7. Get adequate rest.

You may feel grouchy and unproductive throughout the day if you are not properly slept. Sleep for seven to eight hours every night.

Reduce your coffee intake in the afternoon, take a melatonin pill, or unwind in a warm bath or shower before bed to find strategies to increase the quality of your sleep.

Check out these additional sleep-related suggestions.

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