Your May Action Plan: 10 Ways to Restore Yourself
Your Action Plan is a monthly to-do list of tips straight from SUCCESS magazine—10 things you can (and should) do right now to improve yourself and your life. To rejuvinate your body and spirit so you can charge ahead with renewed vigor.
Make May your month to kick back, relax and refresh yourself. Ready?
1. Breathe easy.
Think about a problem you’ve had recently. Inhale deeply three times and then analyze how you can better handle it in the future.
Read: John Addison: How Great Leaders Stay Calm
2. Laugh it up.
Plan a “Laughter Night” for this evening. Text your significant other and pick a funny movie to watch together.
Read: 4 Ways to Laugh More
3. Unplug.
Set aside an hour each day without technology. Use that time to catch up with a longtime friend or read a new book.
Related: What Happened When I Ditched Technology for 7 Days
4. Weekend getaway.
This weekend, turn off email notifications and focus on family fun during a backyard campout.
Related: The 10 Most Revitalizing Vacations You Can Take
5. Give thanks.
Before bed tonight, don’t turn on the TV. Brew a cup of chamomile tea and as you sip it, write down three things you’re grateful for. In the morning, take note of how rested you feel.
Related: The New Secrets of Perfect Sleep
6. Hit the outdoors.
Spend two lunch breaks outside this week. Leave your phone at your desk.
Related: 4 Ways to Spend More Time Outside
7. Plan success.
Write out your to-do list now and put the most difficult tasks at the top. Tackle those first.
Related: 4 Ways to Find Time to Do What You Love
8. Press pause.
If you have an office door, close it immediately. (If not, go someplace where you will not be disturbed—a park bench, your car, etc.) Spend 15 minutes sitting in silence. Let your mind recharge.
Related: Why You Need ‘Just Be’ for 10 Minutes a Day
9. Start something new.
Sign up for a meditation or yoga class this week. Join with a friend, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Related: I Actually Tried Meditation for 30 Days—This Is What Happened
10. Refocus.
Pick up a pen and paper. Write out your (not work-related) passions. Focus on one and make time to pursue it.
Related: How Michael Strahan Is Crushing Self-Doubt One Opportunity at a Time
This article appears in the May 2016 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
SUCCESS is your guide for personal and professional development through inspiration, motivation and training.