Today I’m sharing something a little more personal, and it has to do with creating a positive mindset.. One, because you all are a huge support system for me and two, because I think everyone has the ability to change their mindset and benefit from it! At the beginning of the year, I read the book Atomic Habits and realized I needed to make some changes. I used to wake up and come downstairs to ‘work’ in my robe until 11am. It was actually extremely unproductive. I wasn’t getting much work done at all, and I was being lazy AF. So when the new year started I told myself I had to get dressed asap.
Come 6 weeks ago (late May), I was honestly pretty depressed. I’ve had some personal things happen over the last couple of years that just wore me down. I found myself in a very dark place for way too long, and I told myself something needed to give. I took to Instagram and asked you guys for help with positivity and manifestation. So many of you told me some amazing tips! So I made some changes that have completely altered my mental state! I’m going to share the ones that worked for me. Today I’m sharing all of everything you need to know to switch to a positive mindset!
In the past, I’ve struggled with my skin. It’s truly made an impact on my mental wellbeing by having clear skin again… you can read about the 3 Beautycounter Products You Need to Improve Your Skin, that I highly recommend.
MORNING HABITS
I completely cut out coffee…and it was the best thing I ever did! I know this can be a scary thought for some but hear me out. It can lower anxiety & blood pressure, help with vitamin and mineral absorption, save you money, and depending on how you take your coffee, reduce your daily calorie intake!
Personally speaking, I was a full blown coffee addict. I mean it… I had at least one cup in the morning, and another one or two in the early afternoon when I felt that energy crash hit me. I struggled to wake up early, and then if I drank coffee past 2pm, I couldn’t fall asleep. It was a viscous cycle that I went through since I was like 17 years old! Finally after 15 years, I decided to cut coffee cold turkey… and I have never felt better! If you would have asked me 12 months ago if I’d ever give up my coffee, I straight up would have told you that you were crazy. My point is, if I can do it, so can you!
What I noticed since cutting coffee:
- No more headaches (literally ever, unless I casually have a cup of coffee… then I get one!)
- My skin is freaking clear!! FINALLY! (click here to see some of the other changes I made to fix my skin)
- My energy levels are high ALL day – no more mid-day crashes like before, ever.
- The anxiety I used to feel is virtually non-existent. I’m sure other changes contributed (keep reading), but I know this has helped.
I have a coffee drink here and there, but I no longer wake up dependent on my cup of Joe. I switched coffee for Pique Tea Matcha which is a great alternative! I wake up and look forward to having my matcha, I feel more energized but never feel the crash that I got from my coffee. I can’t recommend making the switch! It’s changed my life and my mindset to be much more positive.
DAILY RITUALS
I read the book The Miracle Morning (actually did the audio book) and it totally changed my life. I realize it’s a book (just like Atomic Habits), but I needed change and if something inside of it could help me, I was all about it! Plus one of you actually told me about it, and I trust my community more than you know!
The Miracle Morning is all about daily rituals and habits that help change your mindset. And by the way, it was written by a guy who almost died in a horrific car accident, got terminal cancer (and survived!), and literally always had a good mentality. I felt like if someone with that terrible deck of cards can do these things, I can too. My problems are far less than his were, and he was able to be positive, so there’s something to be said about that!
First, I started waking up every single day by 7am (usually between 6am and 7am) and immediately go work out. No matter what! Even if it’s just a 20 minute walk, that counts. I also spend time outside after my workout (if it’s not an outdoor walk), and get some sun in my eyes. It feels amazing and helps wake my brain up. I’ve been way more productive during the day from doing this! I swear this has changed my life and I feel perpetually more positive. Not only to I mentally feel better/more clear (no more brain fog!), but I physically look better in just 6.5 weeks. I took before pictures for myself and I’m mind blown at how 20 to 45 minute daily workouts/walks have completely changed me.
NIGHTTIME RITUALS
I go to bed every night by 10:30pm (I try to be in bed by 10pm). When I get into bed, I tell myself every single night that I’m going to get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling super refreshed and happy to be able to workout.
I tell myself I’m going to be refreshed and energized in the morning and I truthfully am.
I swear I haven’t had one morning where I don’t feel like I can get out of bed! EVEN on days where I get up to workout at 5am. It’s wild! I have to credit meditation for being able to get a good night’s sleep too. It’s another ritual that’s helped me keep more positive mindset. I have been meditating 5 to 10 minutes before bed most nights. It definitely helps me fall asleep! I use the Peloton app and sometimes the Smiling Mind meditation app. It’s these little things that help get you to a more positive mindset.
CHANGES IN DIET
This one is huge! I changed my diet after my doctor told me I was inflamed. I also want to start by saying, I’m NOT a crash dieter. I do not believe in it at all, but I do believe in full blown lifestyle changes with food! I also have taken countless food sensitivity tests, and I kinda think they’re all BS. None of them say the same things. So what I started to do is LISTEN to my body. When I eat something that makes me feel bloated, I don’t eat it anymore. Anyways, let’s get onto the changes I made (and that Jesse made with me!).
I know this can be hard, but I had some serious inflammation~ and you guys know I love a good detox (remember the parasite cleanse I did??). So here’s what I did (and what my doctor recommended):
- NO processed foods
- No sugary desserts
- No gluten
- No dairy
I truly believe that the foods we eat everyday can shape our whole lives. To put it shortly, healthy food = healthy mindset. When they say you are what you eat, it’s kinda true (anyone remember those commercials with the ladies and the Cinnabon’s on their butts back in the day?! Those were hilarious). But truthfully, I just cut it all cold turkey and…
I seriously have never felt better.
I’m so thankful that my husband, Jesse was also on board with all of these things. It helps to have someone support you in it! Jesse actually used to drink soda and have dessert every single day, and he stopped! I’m so proud and impressed with him. I know it’s not easy! But let’s be honest, I’m all about everything in MODERATION…. including dessert and having pizza sometimes!
Since we love our nighttime sweets, we have made some healthy adjustments. When we want dessert, we take frozen fruit like banana and strawberries, and throw them into the Ninja Creami. It tastes like ice cream, so it can satisfy that craving and it’s literally only fruit! We also have dark chocolate coco nibs and we use those as a topping! It totally takes away the dessert cravings and we both feel 100x better than we did a few months ago. My bloating is essentially gone, and I’m finally feeling like myself again.
Again, we changed our diet after my doctor recommended it for both physical and mental reasons. This was not for vanity, although I sure as hell feel better about my physical state now!
VITAMIN D
It’s been engrained in our brains that sun is BAD for us, and we need to stay out of it. Honestly, from since I can remember, I’ve been told to stay out of the sun and keep my skin healthy. The thing is, the more research I do, the more I realize how many benefits there are to getting sunshine! There’s a reason why seasonal depression happens… it’s called a lack of vitamin D.
What I’ve learned from my research, is that getting 20 minutes of sun a day is extremely beneficial for our mentality. Here are a few benefits from getting enough vitamin D single day:
- improved moods(!!!)
- strengthens immune system
- can actually prevent cancer (from what I’ve read… again I’m no doctor, but do some research! Excess sun can do the opposite, so you want to be sure you’re tracking your Vitamin D intake…details below.)
- can help lower blood sugar
- potentially reduces the risk of heart problems
Again, I’m no doctor, but I suggest you doing your own research (whether you believe me or not), I’m just sharing some of the things I’ve learned.
I realize so many of you work in an office and getting 20 minutes of sun a day is really difficult! So be sure to at least get outside and get some sun on your face for a few minutes during breaks (if you have them).
In addition, I also take a Vitamin D supplement every single day. I personally take these exact Vitamin D supplements every day. Just 1 pill and they’re tiny!
I also use the app D Minder. It’s a free app that helps you track your Vitamin D intake. I HIGHLY recommend downloading this app. It’s so helpful! It will also tell you if you are getting too much sun. Which I appreciate!
POSITIVE MINDSET
Mindset is probably the most difficult, especially when you’re feeling down or in a dark place. I say in a dark place, because truly when you feel depressed, it can feel suffocating like there’s no way out. So on top of the above changes, I also downloaded the app ‘I Am’ – it’s a gratitude app that helps remind me all of the things I should be thankful for!
I want to also say, that when I was feeling down, I would talk to my mom about all of the things I was upset about and she would remind me how much I have to be grateful for. Although she was right, it can be very difficult to pin point those things when you’re in a rut! That’s just the truth. SO, in searching for help, I found this app, and I subscribed. I open the app when I wake up and again when I go to bed. I swear it has helped! It’s a minor change, but it’s so helpful.
I got a journal for similar purposes but I honestly haven’t used it yet. I am going to start soon though! I have a calendar which has helped me become so much more organized than I was before. I check off my to do list and once my calendar items are finished, I use a red pen to mark that they’re finished.
It’s satisfying and boosts my confidence because I feel super productive!
These are all the little things that have contributed to an overall positive mindset.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils really are essential in my daily rituals. It has seriously changed my life in so many ways. Basically, it’s primarily a naturally derived concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing plant chemicals. 100% pure and natural oils (like this one) are non-toxic, unfiltered and undiluted with no added fillers. I’ve been religiously using the Majestic Pure 100% Natural & Pure Oil. I love that Majestic Pure creates therapeutic grade oils that are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans, too.
Oils can be used in a lot of different ways and are extremely beneficial to your overall health!
I used to hear many people rave about how great essential oils are for you, but truly didn’t understand why. Additionally, I had been using them weekly at my acupuncture sessions and had no idea! My acupuncturist always has some amazing oils, and I fall asleep on the table every time. It’s no wonder why!
For more details on how to use them, what the benefits are, and how they can change your life, check out my blog post, 7 Life Changing Ways to Use Essential Oils!
DRINK MORE WATER
This is something that we all need to work on! I don’t want to dive too far into this one, as I have a full blog post HERE on how to drink more water. But if you struggle to drink enough water, get yourself a big gulp (aka a Stanley cup) and refill it at least 3 to 4 times a day. That will ensure you’re getting enough water!
CONCLUSION
I know this was a long post, but I genuinely hope this post can inspire you to incorporate good habits into your daily routines and turn them into a lifestyle. These habits have changed my life completely! In just a few weeks, I feel like a brand new person. Remember, it’s the little things that add up to become the big things!
This is not a sponsored post, however, as an Amazon Associate I earn small commission from qualifying purchases.
