Hita's Top 10 Well-Being Tips

               

Part 2 of "Finding Balance," here are Hita’s Well-Being TIPS:

      Relationships

• If you’re SINGLE, live your independence to the fullest. When you’re in a good place for yourself, the universe will reciprocate and the "right one" will find you
• As you dabble in the dating scene, remember to not get too clingy to someone you’re interested in. People like their space as much as they enjoy your company. Let things evolve naturally without trying to rush it. 
• Text/call appropriately. Not too little and not too much. If they are interested, they will make the effort and time.
•  Follow your intuition. If something tells you that it’s not going to work...then it’s not going to work. You can’t force it.
•  Be honest. If you’re not interested, have respect for them and yourself to let them know. If you are interested, tell them.   
• If you’re in a RELATIONSHIP, be the best you can be for yourself but also your partner.
  
• Compliment them on their outfit, positively acknowledge their new purchases, praise them, tell them you’re proud of them.
•   Be thankful. Make the two- second effort and thank them for being there for you or helping with a task.
• Truly listen to them…without talking back, challenging them or pushing your opinion/advice. An open ear can do wonders.
• Help them. If you don’t know how, just ask “is there anything I can do to help?”
• Tell them you love them. When you’re happy or when you’re mad, always say “I Love You.”

             

       Career

• Do what makes you happy. If you have a passion or dream job, go for it
• If you have a job, appreciate it- especially in this economy. If you’re looking for a job, keep networking and aim high
•  If you’re not happy, change it. Sometimes this is easier to say than to do, but nothing is worse than working at a job you hate
•  If you are working towards a new job, do your research in that market, connect with people that have experience and involve yourself in similar activities.

·         Ask for Help

  
• We are individuals that make our own “executive decisions,” but we all need help from time to time
•  Financially, emotionally, physically or however you need help, just ask. There is always someone that can help. Don’t be afraid to ask.

·         Go Easy on Yourself

• You work hard and juggle a lot in your life, so be sure to give yourself credit on the little things as well as the big things
• You’re only human, so if you make a mistake learn from it and move on
• Laugh at the things that didn’t go right, make light of difficult situations. It could have been worse

·         Give

• Time: Sometimes spending time with certain people is more valuable than gifts
• Respect: If you upset someone, apologize.  If you appreciate something, thank that person.
• Volunteer: give back to the community if/when you can. Donate your time, or money to charities

·         Balance Your Time

• If you live a busy life, which most of us do, be sure you don’t spread yourself too thin.
• Family, friends, work, personal time, fitness and random errands all take your time, so try to balance them appropriately
• Yes, “me-time” needs to be included in there
•  It’s ok to say no

·         Be Positive, Smile and Be Patient

• Thinking with a positive mindset and smiling more often is proven to help reduce stress and improve overall health
• All we can do is live day to day, so while we plan ahead or live in the moment just be sure to stay patient when waiting on updates or people
•  Smiling not only helps your mood,. But you can have a significantly positive influence on others with a simple smile (waiting for the elevator, crossing the street, at the store)

·         Posture and Physical Activity

• Sit tall, walk confidently, and keep yourself as active as you can
• Desk jobs are common for many of us, so take stretch breaks or head to the gym when you can before/after your shift.
• Relax your shoulders. When we are tense, we tend to shrug our shoulders and hunch our posture. 

·         Take risks and Have No Fear   

  
• Don’t feel held back from decisions because you’re afraid of the outcome
• You never know until you try
• Say what is on your mind

·         

        Choose the Best Circle

• Carve out the people and factors in your life that stress you out, or that bring negativity/ little-no value.
•  If not carve out, then distance yourself. The more like-minded and motivated people you surround yourself with, the more successful you will be.
• Not everyone needs to know your business and “why” you do what you do. Confide in a few key people that can give you positive reinforcement and also constructive feedback

Hita’s Words of Wisdom:

Through every situation you encounter be sure to approach it with a positive mindset. Know that some opportunities in life will happen to for the better, and some challenges will cross our paths to teach us lessons. Experiences over time will help build you into a better person, so allow yourself to grow. No one can change you but yourself, so don’t try to change who you are to impress others. The people that have come into your life were drawn in by something they saw in you that they liked, so why would you change that? 

No matter what you do remember to always stay true to who you are.                                                          

Finding a Balance

While I am constantly on the go and posting pictures of the great opportunities I take advantage of, it may appear that my whereabouts are rather entertaining. 

As much as I enjoy it all, I can honestly say my life is far from perfect. I wake up often thinking I wish I was richer, worked at my dream job, lived in a tropical paradise or that I had no stressors in life. I might as well stay asleep and keep dreaming because that’s not always realistic. 

                    

As successful and driven as I have been thus far does not mean that life has always been peachy. I am extremely grateful for all the experiences and people I have encountered, whether they helped me or hurt me. Rather than dwelling on the elements in my life that are not “picture perfect,” I try to focus on the areas that I want to improve. I am dedicated to being a better person for myself, and which impacts those who I cross paths with. I drive my energy into what I’m most passionate about.

 

(Photo Credit: Live with Passion Now)

 In a current book I am reading, Well Being The Five Essential Elements, the authors discuss the importance of Career, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community well-being. I’ll let you read the book to find out what Rath and Harter have to say, but I will share my personal tricks on some of these topics.                           

In my opinion, life is about balance.
Mental, Physical and Social factors are all significant to overall well-being.

Mental

·       “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace”-Dalai Lama

·         I can’t control what others around me say or do, so how I react and think will ultimately impact   my own mindset

·         Over thinking/analyzing does nothing. It happens, but I try to stop it

·         I care too much about making a good impression and what others think, which is not always healthy

·         Generally, thinking positively or “best case” helps me in tough times as opposed to “worst case” –but I try to be realistic

·         I try not to be so hard on myself. This is an area I need more focus on, but I reward myself for little/big milestones

Physical

·         It’s not a competition for the best body, so as long as I’m active and take “ME-time” to relax I’m happy

·         I challenge myself when I can. Rock-climbing, Yoga, 5Ks, Canoeing,  or even taking stairs instead of elevator

·         I try not to compare my wardrobe or looks to others. I wear what I can afford, make it look presentable, but also observe others for ideas J

·         I am a night owl, but can’t always stay up late. Sleep is essential

·         Massages, Manicures, Hair appointments, etc help me look and feel my best (also a good Mental break for myself)

Social

·         I love meeting new people. I observe and learn from their positive traits as well as their flaws

·         I need human interaction, it keeps me sane and I merely enjoy it. (Social/Networking events are my favorite)

·         I love trying new things with different people. I also try mixing up my social network so that I don’t “get too comfortable”

·         I love my social media. It’s obvious to those that I’m connected with on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

·         Just because I am friendly doesn’t mean I’m trying to be someone’s best friend or girlfriend, yet I still enjoy keeping the connection alive

·         Asking for help. An imperative concept that I have just recently become more comfortable with

·         I’m single, and I try to embrace it the best I can. I try to avoid pity parties, and I keep myself busy

·         I spend time and money on what makes me happy. I spend more on experiences... Trips, concerts, events...than buying “things”

I may not have my dream job yet, but I’m continuously juggling a handful of tasks to get there one day soon. I may not have perfect abs, but I stay active with dance and watch what I eat. I may not be the best student, but I love to learn and committed to my education. I may not have all the right answers when people ask for my insight, but I speak from my heart with their best interest in mind. I may not always make the best decisions, but I learn my lessons and carry them forward.

                             

One thing I can say is that overall I am happy, healthy and very blessed to have the opportunities that come my way. I try do my best in the areas of life that are priorities to me. A priority to me may be less important to you, and an element in your life of great value may be secondary to your best friend, and so on.

I am a firm believer in doing what is best for yourself, and finding happiness in what you do. When we are in a good place in our own lives, we are able to be better partners, friends, employees, etc.

Got LOVE?

Valentine's Day is around the corner! For many people it's another occasion to celebrate the person you love or the important people in your life. For others, it may seem like an overrated, "just another day," with heightened marketing and advertising. And for the independent people, it can also be referred to as "Single Awareness Day." Regardless of your relationship status, "where ever you go, go with all your heart."

(Photo credit: http://brideacious.wordpress.com)

No matter who you are spending the day with, one thing cannot be forgotten is the love you need to have for yourself. Cliche as that may sound it's true. How are we as humans capable of being kind and loving towards others if we are not in a positive/happy place in our own lives? Without letting your ego get too big, be sure to give yourself credit for the hard work you put in each day and the milestones you have reached thus far in your life. Be easy on yourself because being hard on yourself tends to be easy to do. Being in a relationship is no easy task either (see below for Tips), so if you are single take this time to focus on yourself and improve your lifestyle, health and mindset before you begin a relationship with someone.

Singles
If you are actively looking to find the right person, or if you are exploring your options there are many outlets available. Networking events such as "Young Professionals," "Network After Work," or "First Thursdays," are great options to meet and greet others in a more professional setting who can potentially share similar interests.The bar scene can get old rather quickly, so trying new places that are tailored more to your personality yet offer socializing opportunities are a great way to meet new people.

Lounge type atmospheres such as Minneapolis new hotspot, The Tangiers, or The Living Room & Prohibition are classier yet fun places to try. More often than not, the crowds that visit these types of venues tend to have many elements in common. Either they are new to the city due to work travel, or they are locals looking for a quieter spot to enjoy happy hour and new faces without the riff-raff or bass from the speakers blaring in their ear. And of course, if you are one of the many individuals who live a fast paced life, and don’t have much time or interest in stepping out to meet a potential partner there is the advanced world of technology and online dating available at your fingertips. More and more singles are now turning to social media and online dating than ever before. Social media, texting and online resources have quickly become the “norm” to connecting with others.

        

New location based dating services such as CupidRadar make is easy and convenient to find people of interest, literally! The neat thing about CupidRadar is their anonymous and secure profile accounts used to "scan" your surroundings based on your current location. You can message people or "go invisible." For example, if you are at a coffee shop and curious to see who is down the block or across town you can log into your account/app and scan your customized radius. CupidRadar will also send you notifications based on your interests. Thankfully, there are no monthly fees to be obligated to, and all account holders are individually verified to ensure legitimate accounts.


Love Birds
If you are in a relationship you know firsthand that personal time and time together are both valuable elements in a partnership. While you may be head over heels with your companion and want to spend every waking moment with them, it is important that you have a little "me time" here and there. You may have heard the phrase, "distance makes the heart grow fonder." It can certainly hold true if we demonstrate it. Whether you are in a cohabitation or long-distance relationship, the time spent apart can be difficult at times but it will make the reunion with the other person more valuable and enjoyable. We are all individuals, so we need our space from time to time, but that time spent together should also be meaningful and quality time spent. For those that need a little reminder or a few tips & tricks to re-connect or re-evaluate your mindset, check out Dr. Phil's Advice.

I'm not a professional therapist, but I have found that there are a few basic fundamentals for any relationship (business, friends, love) that need to exist in order to make it successful:


1) Trust and Respect. 100%. No relationship will work if there is not a mutual level of respect and 100% trust. Lies are lame, so just don't do it. You can't expect to have a healthy and happy relationship if you "somewhat" trust the other person. It's either Yes or No. If you can't be respectful then you're foolish to demand respect back. Basic FYI- no name calling. Seems juvenile to hear, but some people need reminders in that department.

2) Compromise. Life is a 2 way street. You cant always give, and you can't always take. Not everything will go your way, so instead of fighting it just be open to discussing options on how to best "meet in the middle." Also, he a good helper. If you're not sure what to do to meet half way, just ask the other person "how can i help?" This question is more important that you know!

3) Communicate! For goodness sake, please always communicate. Speaking (tactfully) your mind is essential, and listening is just as important. Share stories, express how you feel (happy, sad, frustrated, etc), say I love, say I'm sorry, say Thank You, ..manners tend to go out the window for some when there is a certain level of comfort established. Praise the other person on their outfit/hair/new purchases/accomplishment. However, when you communicate please don't nag :) It's annoying, and both men and women are guilty of it.

4) Keep things interesting. Sometimes we fall into the same old routine or habits because they are comfortable, but it's going to be a long life together if it's the same thing day after day. Spice things up in the bedroom, switch out roles in the household for chores/cooking, go on "dates" with each other, surprise your partner with an impromptu gift or flowers from time to time. Embrace new things, have fun, and stay positive.

So no matter if you are in a romantic relationship, professional setting, friends, family, causally dating or embracing the single life just remember that it's important to deliver and expect trust/respect, compromise, communicate and have fun along the way. As for February 14th, enjoy the day regardless of who you spend it with...and if anything, remember that chocolate and treats will be on sale February 15th! :)