Taking care of yourself is important for both your mental and physical health. Some people haven’t learned how to take good care of themselves. Sometimes they haven’t been taught to self care, so it is not a part of their daily lives. However, self care is super important! It ensures you stay healthy, that you know what you need and that you can be there for other people without forgetting about yourself. 

You can learn how to self care

Do you want to take better care of yourself? Try and pay attention to the following principles:

• Cherishing yourself

Cherishing yourself is a form of self care. It consists of putting yourself first, for example by saying no to things you don’t feel right doing. Or of asking for help, because that will give you the feeling that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. 

Expressing positive affirmations can also help you, for example saying: “I am good enough”. It is also important to take good care of yourself physically, by eating healthy, paying attention to enough exercise such as sports or yoga, and regularly taking time to rest and relax. In addition, it is useful to know what you love and dislike about yourself. You can do this by making a list of your likes and dislikes. Putting your own pleasure first is healthy, so pay attention to your “likes” a bit more often!

• Reassuring yourself

We often need other people to tell us everything will be alright. But, how great would it be if you could do this yourself! It helps if you have a few strategies or activities at hand, of which you know they can reassure you or help you calm down. You can make a list of these (in NiceDay or on paper), that you can fall back on when you’re going through a difficult time. Think about taking a walk, reading, taking a bath, calling a friend, cooking or cleaning up your house. Read this blog for more ideas.

• Improve your self-discipline

Another form of self care is improving your self-discipline. Knowing that you can push yourself to do something even if you don’t necessarily feel like it, is good for you! But also vice versa; not doing something when you should be doing it is good for you. It enhances your perseverance and self-esteem. You can practice this by, for example, doing two things every day, that you don’t really feel like doing. And, not doing two things that you actually should do.

• Developing self-compassion

The fourth principle is developing self-compassion, being less strict on yourself. You can read more about self-compassion in this blog. But, in conclusion self-compassion means that you’re just as kind towards yourself as you are towards others, you become aware of your own stern voice and try to take on a non-judgmental attitude. You can almost see this as a conversation with yourself, an internal dialogue. In this dialogue you look at a situation in which you were strict on yourself, but without judgement. You determine what your mistake was and what someone else’s or the circumstances were. You define what you have learned and what you could do differently in the future, so that you can leave the situation behind. It’s important that you allow yourself to be human. Everyone makes mistakes. You do too, and that’s okay.

By practicing these four principles, you learn to take care of yourself. Because you are important!

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.

– Katie Reed

NiceDay actions

Write down when you have taken good care of yourself and when you should’ve done that a little bit better, in your NiceDay diary. This will help you gain insight into your learning process towards self care.

You have to give an important presentation at work, something you feel very stressed about. A lot of negative thoughts often arise during moments like these. In this blog, Peter already explained why that happens. As humans, we are prone to think more negative than positive thoughts, and often we do not succeed in soothing or talking kindly to ourselves when we’re having a hard time. You probably need someone else to do that for you. But what if you’re able to do that yourself? What if you can be your own friendly and soothing voice full of self-compassion? In this blog, I’ll teach you how to practice being more self-compassionate.

How would you address a friend?

“What if I don’t remember what to say? What if I can’t answer a question? What if I am not interesting enough? I should have never said yes to this, I am such an idiot.”

These are all examples of thoughts that might you might have right before such a stressful presentation. These are all negative, and unhelpful thoughts, and you’re being very strict on yourself. Would you also talk like that to a friend when he or she has to give a presentation? Probably not, right? You probably have some more compassion for a friend! 

Compassion for others

Compassion is about being friendly and warm. To most of us, this comes naturally when it’s about other people. Because what would you say to that friend before they have to give a presentation? You will probably be kind, supportive, and comforting towards your friend. Meanwhile, compassion for yourself does not come naturally to you.

Self-compassion

Self-compassion is also described as friendliness and warmth towards yourself, or as a loving, connected presence. It is the power to feel involved with your pain, and with the desire to relieve this pain. In other words, treat yourself as you would treat your friends. What definitely isn’t self-compassion, you can read here. 

Self-compassion consists of three main components:

1. Self-kindness: By practicing self-compassion you become your own best friend. It means that you are kind and understanding towards your own mistakes and flaws. Instead of judging and criticising yourself for your shortcomings, you can put an encouraging arm around yourself and comfort yourself. 
2. Common humanity: The realisation that all humans are imperfect individuals is important in self-compassion. This makes you feel connected toward others. Because everybody makes mistakes, including you. when you realise that you are not suffering alone, every moment of suffering is a moment to feel connected to others. The more you open your heart for this, instead of fighting it, the more you are capable of feeling compassion for yourself and others. 
3. Mindfulness: Mindfulness means that you are aware of your feelings at a certain moment. All feelings are allowed, negative or positive. This is important for acknowledging your pain and it creates the possibility to react to it with care and friendliness. You can experience your feelings, instead of ignoring or avoiding them. It also prevents you from worrying too much. You don’t ignore the pain, but you tell yourself: “This is something that I am struggling with right now. How can I comfort myself and take care of myself in this painful moment?”.

Practice, practice, practice

Try practicing these three elements of self-compassion when you are feeling down or nervous. But also practice it when you are feeling ok, so you can really get the hang of it. Tell yourself things such as: “It is ok”, “Making mistakes is human”, “Everybody makes mistakes”, “You did your best”, “It doesn’t have to be perfect” or “It is ok to feel like this”. Find the words that work for you and repeat this in your head or out loud. 

“If we would be as unkind to our friends as to ourselves, we wouldn’t have any friends” – Kristin Neff, self compassion expert

NiceDay 

Set reminders in NiceDay App to remind yourself of practicing compassion towards yourself.

Brandon sought help because he felt very gloomy. Thanks to the online coaching, he has started to love himself more. Curious about his experience? Read along!

How did you end up at NiceDay?

I came to NiceDay via Google. In an extremely gloomy mood I took the step to search the internet. I ended up at the website of NiceDay and noticed that the concept appealed to me a lot. I downloaded the app directly  and made a start with the process.

 Can you share more about your complaints?

I felt very sad for a long time. Primarily, this manifested in listlessness and fatigue. It also had an effect on my relationship, for example in the area of ​​sexual desires. For a long time I thought it would get better by itself. However, I could not figure out what exactly caused the complaints. During the process, my coach and I discovered that there I was having a depression. In addition, I was informed that my parents decided to divorce after a long marriage. This situation considerably enhanced my complaints.

 How did you feel after the first session?

Relieved, because I had really taken the first step. My coach asked a lot of questions in the first session. Therefore, she immediately had a complete picture of my complaints. However, I was still skeptical as to whether the process would actually help.

How did you experience the digital treatment?

Awesome! I believe that the digital treatment helps enormously with the treatment. You are in your own familiar environment, so you have the need to share everything faster. Another advantage is that you do not lose time to travel! It was also nice that the coach occasionally sent a message asking how things went in between sessions.

 How did you continue to use the NiceDay app, besides calling and chatting?

My coach asked me to register a diary with feelings in the app. This way, my coach and I gained insight into my complaints.

 What did you learn from your coach?

What I learned from coach Sarah is that it’s not surprising that I was experiencing depression complaints, given the circumstances. She also taught me that it is okay to feel pretty bad sometimes. She has also taught me that awareness of behavior and thoughts is an important first step. Once you are aware of this, it is easier to adjust. I started to love myself more. However, this is still my biggest challenge in life.

 Would you recommend NiceDay to others?

Absolutely. My coach told me that especially young men, like me, have difficulty seeking help. I hope this will change in the future. Many people experience something at some point in their life. This is nothing to be ashamed of. When someone in my area tells me about sadness or depressive symptoms, I would recommend NiceDay immediately.

Do you need help to feel good about yourself? Take the test and see if NiceDay is for you.

In my previous blog you have received some guidelines for planning rewards. Now you can start! Below you find a list of ways to reward yourself. Get inspired and add your own rewards! 

Fun activities as a reward

Go do something nice as a reward: go to a festival, concert, museum, carnaval, activity with your kids, visit a playground, watch Netflix, play computer games, play pool, watch a game, a night out, throwing a party, follow a course (for example photography, cooking, pottery), sing karaoke, cinema, game night with friends, walking in nature, themepark, camp in your backyard, go to a swimming pool, so something from your bucket-list (skydiving), karting, visit an aquarium, lasergaming, try a teamsport. Enough great rewards!

Food as a reward

Make a superfood smoothie, cook your favorite dish, buy your favorite tart, go to your favorite restaurant, go out for lunch, eating a cookie, order take out food, buy an ice cream during lunch break, eat French cheeses, enjoy your guilty pleasure, savor a good glass of wine, drink hot chocolate with whipped cream, bake (and eat) a cake! 

Free rewards

Of course there are also rewards that cost no money at all: spend time with someone who makes you smile, dans in your living room, take a long bath, make a puzzle, gardening, read a good book, fantasize, do a mindfulness exercise, light a scented candle, do your hobby (photography, painting, drawing), volunteering, redecorating your closets, send a message to someone you are thankful for, make plant cuttings, send yourself a kind message, send a letter to your future self, listen to your favorite music, play a game, meditate, do arts and crafts, ask for help, sleep in, watch a game on tv, play video games. 

Self care rewards

Visit a spa, get a manicure or pedicure, cut your hair, polish your nails, get a new tattoo or piercing, buy your favorite shower gel, go to a wax bar, push all your to-do’s to tomorrow, hire a cleaning lady for one day, yoga lesson, take a day off, do mindfulness, take a face mask, do an afternoon nap without feeling guilty, get your car cleaned, watch a makeup tutorial on YouTube, wear your favorite perfume, write in your journal, go to bed early, visit a tanning salon, get a facial, plan a child-free day or afternoon, try a teamsport. 

Rewards to buy

Buying something new is always fun as a reward. Think of: new clothes or shoes, that book you a dying to read, visit a flea market, buy a fun gadget such as a Google Home System or a smartwatch, buy a lottery ticket, a new painting, download a paid app, a new bag, kitchen appliance, a gym membership, a plant for more oxygen in your bedroom, a slowjuicer for healthy juices, a wake-up light for getting out of bed in the morning, a new ring or bracelet, something to decorate your desk with, headphones, a hat, a large bouquet of lovely smelling flowers.

Outside activities as rewards

Going outside is also a nice reward: go for a walk, adopt a dog, go hiking with friends, visit a botanical garden, take a kitesurf lesson, go for a swim, horseback riding, picnicking, play frisbee, go to the beach, visit a large forest, a weekend getaway, plant a tree, go canoeing or sailing, watch the sunset, try out lesson scuba diving, pick your own fruit or flowers, go wine tasting.

A whole list full of inspiration! Plan your reward, enjoy your reward and keep yourself motivated. Do you miss something in the list that rewards yourself? Let us know in the comments.

Especially when you experience mental complaints or are in therapy, it is good to focus and reflect on your hard work. By rewarding yourself, you can encourage yourself, motivate and stimulate yourself to keep your process going! It ensures that you get new energy and do not give up. But how do you reward yourself? In this blog I will tell you how to approach this best.

Choose the right reward

Do not reward yourself with something that interferes with your goal. For example, if you want to lose weight, do not treat yourself with food. Do you want to spend less money? Do not reward yourself with a new expensive gadget you don’t need.

Right format

Make sure the reward is on the same level as your goal. Do not exaggerate, but it definitely should get you motivated! 

Schedule

Plan your rewards! Planning rewards gives more satisfaction than deciding in hindsight if something was worth a reward. It also gives you something to look forward to. Use the Daily Planner in NiceDay to plan your rewards.

Link to a specific goal

Do you plan rewards attached to certain goals? Make your goals very specific and concrete. So not “I am going to think about myself more often”, but “every day, I plan 10 minutes where I just sit still and reflect”. What reward do you give yourself if you last for a week? What reward do you give yourself if you continue for a month? Consider this in advance.

Types of rewards

There are different ways to reward yourself:

• Plan fun activity together or alone
• Food as a reward
• Free rewards
• Self-care rewards
• A nice purchase as rewards
• Outdoor activities as a reward

What rewards can you come up with that fit these categories? 

NiceDay actions

Plan the moments you want to treat yourself in NiceDay. This may be connected to a certain goal, but it can also be tied to a specific moment or just random. Check off when you received your reward and reflect on how this made you feel. 

Why is it that negative experiences get stuck in our memory? How come we are less open to positive experiences? How is it possible that we often think that we can nót do it? Or quickly think that the other person does not like us? Psychologist Peter explains in this blog why loving yourself is so difficult.

Focus is on the negative

Research shows that negative experiences have much more impact on us than positive experiences. In an experiment, researchers gave 50 euros to test subjects who played a gambling game. Some lost 50 euros and others won 50 euros. They investigated which emotions were strongest: the negative emotions (after losing the money) or the positive emotions (after winning). It turns out: people who had lost money had much stronger emotions than people who won just as much money.

In another study, researchers saw that the negative effect of a setback on your mood is much greater than the positive effect of successful experience. It appears that you need about 5 good experiences to compensate for one bad experience.

How did that happen?

We are all strongly pre-programmed to see everything negative in ourselves and in others. Why is that? We think it has to do with evolution. A long time ago, when people lived among wild animals, it was vital to be aware of dangers. A negative event (a dangerous animal in your neighborhood) could immediately mean your death, while a positive experience (a kind word from a family member) did not cause a life or death experience. 

We still suffer from this legacy (automatically paying much more attention to negativity than to the positive) on a daily basis. If you ask people to list good and negative characteristics of themselves, they will often come up with a larger list of negative characteristics. Everyone will also recognize that you remember bad memories better than happy memories. And perhaps most importantly: that eternal critical voice in your head that always says it is not enough. That little voice is so normal that we are often not even aware of it.

Compassion is the cure

Fortunately, we can learn to focus more on the positive, by training kindness for yourself and others. How do you create more compassion? You can primarily do this by thinking regularly ‘’is the critical voice speaking?’’ Is that voice nagging at me again? If you are sad or lonely, for example, and you notice you are telling yourself that you are blaming yourself. That is not helping, right?

What will help is to ask yourself how you would react if a child you love felt that way. You would probably try to comfort it. Then why don’t you pamper yourself a little too? Probably a reaction immediately pops up: “that is stupid” or “I do not deserve that.” That is exactly the negative that is so ingrained in us.

The challenge is to go against your feelings and to be kind to yourself. Try doing something that can comfort yourself if you feel bad. Even in situations where you do not feel bad, you can train yourself by looking for something positive.

Laugh about it

When I read this kind of advice myself, I always get such a sense of “that is simply said, but it will not work for me. I can not keep that up ”. It can help you to realize that it is not your fault that you keep falling back into self-criticism. Our brains tend to do that. It is already nice to be able to smile a little when you notice that you are taking the negative side.

I am having lunch with Sylvia. When you have 80 years of life experience, there must be some lessons you learnt or you must have very valuable experiences. I am very curious about hers.

How do you look back when you have 8 decades filled with life experience.

Life lessons. I think that’s a special word, it reminds me of school. I prefer to call it life experience. I was 27 years old and I was married. My former husband told me: “I won’t stay in the Netherlands till forever.” He started applying for jobs and got a job offer in Curacao. I thought: from Rotterdam to Groningen or from Rotterdam to Curaçao, I’m fine with all of it! I decided to go with him. I was very lucky to have my open minded mother. She told me: “Just go and see the world! Explore the world!” My mother was a positive, accepting and stimulating person. The way my mother looked at life was very valuable to me in my further choices.

Once arrived in Curacao we actually stabilized quite quickly. I eventually started teaching Dutch children at a primary school. I had great social bonds with my Antillean friends and co-workers. I never experienced a gap with the Antillean residents, I liked them and they liked me. But I was confronted with discrimination, something I wasn’t aware of living in the Netherlands. I think it’s good I got this awareness. I had no trouble to be in touch with different kinds of people, I just thought it was very special.

Now we are able to contact our loved ones very frequent and very fast. How did this go with your friends in Curacao? How did you talk to you family and friends in the Netherlands?

At that time you used telephones booths to talk to people, you could find them on every corner of the street. Some people had a landline, but not many people did. Contact with the outside world was via letters and phone. Every half year I called my mother, it was very difficult and expensive to do so. The advent of television had a huge impact on life. The world used to be small and organized: it contained of family, school and holidays. I think the advent of television and internet gave us a wider vision of the world. I felt happy in Curacao. You can’t think of missing something (i.e. a smartphone) that didn’t exist that time. It feels the same as asking in 20 years: did you miss hologram smartphones in your childhood?

What was your most positive experience regarding Curacao?

You will get used to new situations easier than you think. I also discovered I was able to live life without my family around the corner. Sometimes you have to go along in whatever crosses your path. Discover what happens. I went to Curacao uninhibited, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I don’t regret my 8 years in Curacao. I became more assertive, more more mature. I made new friends. I learned to talk about my feelings. I had to: you need each other and it is important to talk about what crosses your mind, what you experience, what keeps you going. Close friendships existed. I felt more secure and it felt so good to have friendship in which I could discuss everything! I got a lot of new energy, I learned to adapt and I enjoyed my time. 

If you decide to do something, do it with all of your heart. Enjoy!

Do you like to read more about two generations getting personal? Keep updated by checking our Sarah’s profile!

Letting go of something which you really don’t care about has an advantage. You will leave more time for the things that you really enjoy. What does it give you? A more meaningful life! Because letting things go, creates space for the things that are really important to you.

Questions for more insight

Mark Manson’s book ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F * ck’ (2016)’, helps you to master the art of letting go. For example: saying no helps you to invest in your yeses. By saying no, you make room for more yeses.

But to which things you want to say yes more often? What is really important? According to Manson, when letting go, it is important to confront our mortality. These questions, where you need to imagine yourself at the end of your life, helps you to discover what is really important for you:

• When you die, what do you want to leave behind?
• If you are no longer here, in what sense has the world changed or improved?
• What has been your contribution? What happened because of you?

Manson describes more inspiring perspectives on life. Letting go is also central in these perspectives:

You find happiness by not looking for happiness

Problems are a constant in life. Happiness is caused by problem solving. Let go of the search for happiness. It helps you to be happy.

Listen to your emotions, but don’t take them too seriously

Emotions are part of the balance in our lives. Only emotions are not the whole balance. Just because something feels good doesn’t mean it’s good. Just because something feels bad does not mean that it is bad.

Enjoy mediocriy

We are all mediocre people for the most part. Only the extremes get all the publicity. The continuous flow of unrealistic information fuels our feelings of uncertainty. Mediocrity sounds boring, because it involves all kinds of normal things: the pleasure of friendship, creating something beautiful, helping others or reading a book. But maybe this feels like normal for a reason. These are the things that really matter in life.

Other great insights from Mark Manson’s book:

• Choose: not choosing is also a choice
• Realize that you are usually wrong: change in your life is only possible by being wrong and doing something about it.
• Failure is a way forward, doing something is the only measure of success.

For which yes’s in your life do you want to make more space? What are you going to say no to?

Imagine this: you are going away for the weekend with your family. You have planned this months ago and you look forward to recover from all the working overtime and enjoying nature with your children and partner. “Ring Ring!” Your phone rings. It is your boss who tells you there is a new assignment, which really needs to be completed this weekend. Your boss has no time for it himself and asks you to work this weekend. You actually don’t feel like it at all. You have worked a lot overtime the past few weeks. What do you say to your boss?

Do you dare to tell your boss in a direct and respectful way that you cannot work this weekend? If so, then you have mastered a skill that many people find difficult: assertiveness. But do you find it difficult to stand up for yourself in situations like this? These tips can help you!

What is assertiveness?

Assertiveness is a way of communicating whereby you take into account your own interests, but also the interests of the other. It means that you express your thoughts and feelings in a direct and respectful way.

If you only take your own interests into account and ignore the interests of the other, you respond aggressively. For example: “No way! I’ve made enough overtime in the last few weeks, find someone else! “

On the other hand: if you only consider the interests of the other and you forget your own interests, then you respond sub-assertively. You agree with the request while you actually do not want to. That doesn’t feel nice.

How do you communicate assertively? Here are some tips.

Speak from the ‘I-form’ 

By speaking from the I-form you take ownership and responsibility for your feelings, thoughts and behavior. Therefore your story does not come across as an attack on the other, which means that he / she does not take a defensive position and is more open to what you have to say.

Empathy

Try to sincerely relate to the other, to understand how he / she views the situation. This means that you listen to understand and not just to respond. After you have considered the perspective of the other, you can express what you need from the other. This is how it goes: “I understand that this is a difficult situation and that you want to deliver the assignment on time, but I would like to keep this weekend free for my family.”

Ask for more time

Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed by a request, you just not know what you want or you are  just too emotional to communicate in a healthy way. In this case it is best to be honest. Ask more time to gather your thoughts. Say this for example: “I find it difficult to answer this now. Can I call you back in half an hour? ”

Write it down

Do you find it difficult to respond assertively “on the spot”? Then the tip is to write down your answers. This is works, for example, in combination with the tip to ask for more time. It is useful to think up and write down the following parts in advance:

1. The event: describe how you view the situation;
2. Your feelings: describe how it makes you feel;
3. What you need: tell the other person exactly what you need from him / her;
4. The consequences: describe the positive consequences for the other person, your relationship or the company if he / she accepts your request.

Your response to your boss’s request may look like this: “You asked me to work this weekend because of a large assignment that needs to be completed this weekend. But on the same weekend I want to take a break with my family. I find this a difficult situation, but I find that I need rest and time with my family. That way I can continue to perform well at work. “

NiceDay promotion

Do you want to practice your assertiveness? The NiceDay app can help you. Write this assignment in your diary or ask your coach for help. And don’t forget: as with many things in life, it comes down to practice, practice, practice!

I: “Hey, long time no see! How are you?”

Everyone in the world who has the idea that being busy is essential to a lifeworth will answer: “Yes, good. Busy! You?”

I: “Yes, the same. Busy busy.”

Because the above conversation occurred about twenty times a day, I decided not to give this answer anymore. Out of principle. It is a bit strange we are “so busy” and complain about to little time, but consistently overbook our schedules. 

Social acceleration

Philosopher Harmut Rosa explains this as a problem of the modern capitalist system, in which continuous growth is a necessity. According to Rosa, this economic trend has led to social acceleration (think of multitasking, international commuting and eating on the go). This phenomenon can lead to stress and disconnection with yourself.

A stop train or a fast train life?

Due to the speed of our society, you can get the feeling that there is no other way than to get on the same train of 200 km per hour. However, you are the machinist. You can decide for yourself whether you drive a stop train or an fast train. The problem of a too busy life can be solved. Ironically, this only takes a little time.

Running from A to B  every day

As an project manager I learned to plan my projects efficiently, because time is valuable. I noticed that this also applied to my own life: a Monday full of meetings, Tuesday driving to city X, Y and Z and a big presentation on Wednesday (which, of course, was finished until late tuesday). I also want to do sports, see my friends and family, clean the house and gain new skills. All tasks piled up and it became one big mush of to-do’s. I had to plan my personal time more efficiently, to have more time to enjoy.

Tools to be less busy

Below you will find some tools that helped me to cope with the pressure of today’s society. And they helped me to find my own happiness again. My tips for the coming week:

#the body is a machine

The most important factor of a stable foundation is consciously dealing with your body. Your body is a machine that needs to be maintained with care: sleep enough, go to bed on time and eat healthy. If you are physically in top form, it is easier to build a bridge to mental top condition.

#filter

 Be aware of your thoughts and believes. You can rush yourself by constantly thinking about how much you still have to do, how busy your week is and how stressed you feel. By also saying this, you tell your body and mind that something is wrong. You ask your body for a response: survival mode.

By choosing your thoughts and believes more carefully, you can prevent yourself from falling into an apathetic state where you get nothing done. 

Instead, look for the highlights  in the week. Embrace fine thoughts and say them out lot. In this way you also influence your environment positively!

#give yourself some space

If you have a lot to do you sometimes forget the most important thing: planning time for the most important person in your life, yourself. Choose a moment in the week where you make time for yourself. For example, I always keep my Wednesdays free after work. If someone asks to make an appointment, my answer is: “No, I need time for myself.”

This is a moment to look forward to. You can read a book, cook extensively or start a new hobby. Come up with something that will make you happy!

Important: Netflix, Whatsapp and Instagram do not count as a means to connect with yourself.

#make a plan

If you have set your moment for the coming week, focus on scheduling other obligations. Take half an hour and write everything you have to do. Then categorize this by priority: to be done within 1 day, within 1 week and later in the month.

Be honest! Do you really have to clean your house and do groceries and get a dress for that party today? Or can you move one of those tasks to another time in the week?

#think ahead

Go through your calendar at the beginning of the week to make sure it gets into your system. This gives you peace. Double check appointment locations. Find out if you can combine some things to spend your time efficiently. First deliver the mail, then refuel the car, then do the shopping. Or first start the washing machine, put the chicken in the oven and then process your email.

Focus

It goes without saying that every week is different and every person functions in his own way. But in the essence it is to focus on life, rather than being lived.

This is also described by the world’s first bartender Jerry Thomas:

“Stress is not caused by your busy life or challenging circumstances, it’s simply the result of an imbalance between silence and activity.”

If you know how to create balance in your daily life, you can pay attention to things that really make you happy. Have a nice life!