The world seems like a constant whirlwind these days.
Whether it’s a new virus, the unpredictable economy, or social injustice, catching up on the evening news is enough to instill even a little bit of fear in any of us.
And while we know living out of fear is not ideal, it can be hard not to unconsciously fall into it. We have to keep ourselves and our family safe, we crave job security, and we want equality and respect for all.
When any of these needs are at risk or questioned, we can find ourselves reacting out of fear and worry versus love and compassion – which is not good for our mental AND physical health.
It’s time we now start responding rather than reacting, feeding love instead of anger.
Are you ready to let go of fear and begin living out of love?
Today’s a good day to start that and Dr. Graves is here to support you.
Following are his 10 tips to living a more loving life that is
grateful, compassionate, and empathetic:
1.Acknowledgment & Awareness. Be aware of and understand your go-to stress response.
Do you typically: lash out, yell, become resentful, or hold it in?
or do you: take a deep breath, allow yourself to calm down, and think about how you want to respond?
For example, if your kids are fighting, do you yell at them to stop or do you take a step back and encourage them to communicate how they feel and ways to work it out?
2. Define Your Emotional Support System. Whether your network of friends and family is extensive or intimate, think about who can you really talk to that listens and has compassion when you need to share versus who fuels complaining and gossiping, without taking responsibility for actions?
Know who you can count on to share that can offer the best caring and loving support.
3. Consider What You Need. What can help your mood, your sleep, your energy level, etc. to feel good physically and mentally so your health supports living more loving?
Is it:
– supplements
– acupuncture
– massage
– quiet time
– talking with someone
– holistic counseling
– taking more breaks throughout the day
– self-help reading time
– developing more of an open mind
Try a variety of things until you find what works and stick to it!
4. Have an Open Mind. Working through everything from how you were raised to past hurts, traumas, experiences, and beliefs can help you develop a more compassionate mind for both yourself and for others. It’s never to late to learn and grow into a more mindful and empathetic mindset.
5. Set Boundaries. Be careful of what feeds negativity and fear and set clear boundaries to steer away or limit your exposure.
Consider limiting or taking a break from:
– social media
– news
– violent video games
– others that complain and are negative
6. Make Decisions Based on What’s Right for YOU. Everywhere you look, there are rules and standards telling you what you can and cannot do right now. As these change, sometimes daily, it’s important that you take into consideration what is best for you and your family. Don’t feel pressured to do things that don’t feel safe or comfortable for you – have open dialogue with yourself and your family as to what feels right and understand why other things may not.
7. Be Yourself & Trust. It’s okay to be yourself. Sure, others may not understand or know how to react, but that is okay, too. It’s most important for you to live an authentic and loving life and not pretend in order to meet others’ expectations.
8. Take Care of Your Physical Health. Get moving, enjoy a healthy diet, get good sleep, and focus on taking care of yourself. As your physical health becomes stronger, watch and see how your reactions change to the world around you.
9. Manage Your Stress. Define what gives back to you and feeds your peace of mind rather than what takes from you. Share it with friends and family so they can support you.
10. Self-Care and Self-Love Isn’t Selfish. It’s necessary! When we take care of ourselves, we can better take care of others. And in effect, we can let go of the expectation we have of others needing to take care of us. Personal responsibility and accountability is where it all begins!
Is living from a place of love a goal you have that needs support –
mentally and/or physically?
If you live in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, or the greater Denver metro area and are in search of who to turn to for that, please call our office at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation with Dr. Graves to talk about it.
You may not know what living out of love looks like for you, but we can help. Through a holistic approach, we are here to help you change your life to meet this life changing goal.
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