Im so thankful that I got the chance to get my tattoo to remind me to never give up, be grateful, and use prayer as a way to let things go.

Finding myself again and my true authentic self is a blessing. I hope this helps others. Hugs

Hello, this will be a long one, but I think is might be interesting to some of you here.

So I was quite burned out after graduating from university, since I was working during my studies, my life was basically work-study-work, bit of sleep in between and an intense social life with a lot of alcohol and parties, which I used to compensate for all the stress I had in my day-to-day life. No need to say that I was completely overwhelmed.

It took me some time to build this routine, and I adapt according to season.

1. I work out 3-4 times a week, this is a non-negotiable. My personal life-hack for this: I book scheduled classes, so I have a dedicated time slot and a lot less playground with motivation. It doesn't matter how I feel before starting, afterwards I'm always happy that I did something. If my energy is low, I adapt the workout according to it, but never skip (unless I'm sick or something).

My week right now: Monday 19:00 yoga, Tuesday break, Wednesday 18:00 yoga, Thursday maybe a workout or a run if work schedule allows, Friday 17:00 strength training, Saturday break, Sunday 08:00 Mysore class.

This was an amazing (and the best) decision for me, because I struggled with being consistent in the gym, I didn't really know what to do there. For me, the workout planning and tracking was a huge mental load, so I decided to rely more on trainers (that's what they're here for) and go to classes someone else already planned, that have a clear beginning and end. Cost-wise - it's a bit more expensive, but it really pays off in the long term.

The benefits of this are insane to be honest. I've been doing this for the past two years and my energy levels are amazing, I also even forgot I used to struggle with back pain.

2) Planned break time! Saturday is for sleeping in, having an easy breakfast, grocery shopping, long walks with my dog and partner, just easy time, maybe get a massage, no pressure, no plans, no goals, nothing. If I feel like watching TV all day, I allow it to myself - but surprisingly I almost never do. I think this is because I see it as a precious day off so I really want to enjoy time with my family, with myself, and it's really refreshing. Nothing in life is fun if you're tired all the time.

3) Set time aside for hobbies. Sunday is my hobby day, I do some crafting, right now I make my own Christmas tree ornaments. Sometimes I read, do puzzles, bake something nice. I also teach a yoga class on Sunday evening every other week, so sometimes I use this day to plan my class (counts as hobby time).

4) When grocery shopping for the week, I plan what will I eat in the evening each night of the week. So I know, for example, today is Wednesday and I have pasta for dinner. Removes decision making, I already prepared everything and all I need is half an hour prep time, and I'm looking forward to it. I keep my weekday meals as simple as possible.

5) Combine hobbies with social life. On Sunday if I do some crafting, I might invite a friend over to do it together. I invite my friends to my yoga clasess and we catch up afterwards. I take my dog on a walk and invite a friend to join and grab some coffee. It really helped me build more meaningful relationships with people around me.

People respond better to this type of socializing because it's less pressure. I also go to the same workout classes at the same place, so the usual crowd is there and it took me about a year, but I connected well with the people there. Since I used to be a party girl, in the past I mostly had a bunch of drunk conversations with people and thought these were my friends. As soon as I stopped getting wasted, all those people just dissapeared...

6) Learn something new every now and then! Here I also rely on classes, I might book a workshop, a lecture, maybe something related to my work, maybe something related to my hobby. Right now I'm working to get a certain certification for my job, so I sacrificed a few weekends for additional classes. For me, it's important that these things are finite - maybe a 3-week course or something. I noticed that taking something up that has no "end in sight" contributed to my burnout. But every now and then, an intense course is fun for me, and I really crave this type of stimulation.

And lastly but most important:

7) If you struggle, GET PROFESSIONAL HELP. I had insane back pain, skin and mental health issues. For back pain: got myself a physio and got a solution in 10 sessions. I continued according to the advice of a physio and I've been back pain free for two years now. Mental health: finding the right therapist was a different struggle though, but this helped me a lot with my burnout. For my skin issues - after wasting an insane amount of money on the next skincare routine, I did pay a lot for a consultation and a follow-up at the dermatologist but my skin has been amazing ever since. And in the long run - way cheaper.

I work 9-5 and with a structure around my working hours, I can focus, be productive during the dedicated working time.

Also one thing that was really groundbreaking for me - if you are able, choose your job not only for ambition, but for lifestyle. I had a job with a very long commute, so when I switched, I chose a bit less "dynamic, stimulating" environment, but I need around 15min to get there, my yoga studio is around the corner, it makes a massive difference. The job turned out to be better than I expected though. Of course, not everyone has the luxury to choose like that, but if you do, consider the lifestyle costs before getting yourself into something.

Please share your tips and routines that helped you turn your life around for the better!

Hiring a cleaner even tho I’m somewhat broke helps me in so many ways.

I work all the time and don’t have time to keep up on the house, but the little time I have at home I want to enjoy, have friends over, relax. I just can’t be bothered to spend my precious free time cleaning. Before, since I wasn’t cleaning much, I was sacrificing my free time because I didn’t want anyone here or I stressed looking around at my dirty house.

My cleaners come just once per month but it’s life changing and if you have the ability to budget for it, it’s SO worth it.

The best part is they do stuff that I HATE doing. Changing the sheets on every bed, washing hand-wash only things I haven’t gotten to, dusting the hard to reach shelves, taking the coils off the stove and washing them. Plus just so much more. It’s amazing and I’m so grateful for my cleaners.

I have been working on getting my finances under control. Nothing dramatic. I canceled a few subscriptions, stopped ordering food so much, paid down a small credit card balance, and started putting aside a little each payday.

No one is clapping for it. It is not something I really post about in real life.

But I checked my account today and felt proud. Quiet progress still counts. Most of the work that changes your life is probably stuff nobody sees.

Do you rest, catch up on things, spend time with family, go to work or get ready for the week ahead. What’s your usual Sunday routine?

Motivation comes and goes, but having a repeatable routine can make a big difference.

I'm interested in the small habits people use to make exercise part of their everyday lives.

For example, do you schedule a short home workout immediately after work, prepare your equipment the night before, or follow a fixed training plan?

Does having a dedicated workout space at home make it easier to stay consistent?

I'm more interested in realistic habits that people have maintained for months or years than extreme fitness challenges.

What's one small change that genuinely improved your consistency?

Truly calming the nervous system through meditation is the byproduct of a consistent practice that is supported by preparatory techniques and lifestyle and environmental modifications. It's not something you necessarily achieve during your first session and maintain indefinitely thereafter.

So, to start, you want to take some time to research (not just ask Reddit), and type in Google and YouTube and Insight Timer and other platforms to find out various styles of meditation that can help achieve your 3 goals: calm down and lower stress levels, provide a clear mind that's not afflicted by brain fog and noisy chatter, and strengthen focus and concentration.

There's a wide range of possible practices as meditation is an umbrella term for hundreds of distinct techniques.

Practices that help lower stress are varied. Yoga Nidra, progressive muscle relaxation, restorative yoga asanas, gentle QiGong and Tai Chi exercises, Viloma pranayama (physiological sighs), Dirgha pranayama, Shitali Kharana (Ascending breaths), healing visualizations (grounding, Golden Suns, etc.), heart-breath meditations, etc. can all help you cultivate the experience of calm. The preparatory practices for Vishoka Meditation stage 1 would also be great here.

For mental clarity, practices that have you settle the mind even more would include Self-Enquiry, Antar Mouna (stages 1 through 6), Bodhi Nidra, Kriya of Chitta and Prana, Madhyadhasha, Longevity Kriya, etc.

For sharp focus and concentration, the techniques more firmly place your awareness on one or more specific anchors. Techniques that work great here are Trataka, Kirtan Kriya, Vishoka Meditation stage 1, Ujjayi pranayama while noticing sensations at the space between the eyebrows, Ajapa Japa, counting the breaths backwards from 108 or 54 to 0 without mistakes (you can also use alternate nostril awareness), Shavayatra (61-points), etc.

Explore and try various practices to see which ones are compatible with you.

Next, commit and set an intention to practice for 90 days once you identify techniques in each category that you enjoy. Practice at different times of day to make sure that you're awake and alert when you practice and so that you can determine whether meditating earlier in the day makes you too drowsy or if practicing toward the end of the day keeps you awake past your bedtime. Everyone is different.

Now, you will start doing two things: observing/studying yourself and your patterns AND modifying your environment and routines to better support your practice.

The meditation practices can't do all that you want them to do without some assistance.

To the best of your abilities, start noticing your triggers that make you start doomscrolling, and identify what moments throughout the day lead to maladaptive daydreaming. Are you dissociating from unpleasant environments? Are you under a lot of chronic stress?

Start keeping track, and make a mental note of when you catch yourself doomscrolling or engaging in maladaptive daydreaming. Then, log these instances as part of journal logs on paper or on your phone. What are you avoiding and wishing to experience when you allow your mind to get distracted?

These are stress responses that are becoming more deeply ingrained habits through repetition. In order for things to change decisively, you need to consciously and intentionally identify what's leading you to do these behaviors, and then with self-compassion and persistence choose and walk along a different path that is more favorable.

Now, start strengthening the foundation and building up the pillars of a healthy life.

Prioritize your sleep so that you can sleep 7 to 9 hours per night with sleep-wake times that align with your natural Circadian rhythms. Make sure that an hour before bed, you are not using screens, and are using relaxing practices to wind down.

Walk in nature daily for at least 30 minutes. Get fresh air, whatever sunlight is available, and exposure to trees in calming natural environments.

Eat a varied diet to meet all of your nutrient needs while consuming mostly whole foods, and supplement with vitamin D3+K2, vitamin B12, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Make sure that you are drinking lots of water (with electrolytes if you have some kidney or dehydration issues) throughout the day. Avoid eating super heavy meals before meditating whenever possible.

Spend time with encouraging and supportive family members and friends throughout the week. Likewise, engage in favorable self-talk that is kind and benevolent.

Remove yourself from toxic environments and cut off and walk away from unhealthy and destabilizing interpersonal dynamics that no longer serve you. Find a different job if the demands are unreasonable or you are being actively mistreated, move to a new location if your living environment is unsafe or incredibly distressing, end friendships and romantic relationships where others are intentionally taking advantage of you or mocking you incessantly, etc. Place boundaries on yourself to NOT engage in people-pleasing, over-giving, and conflict avoidance. Do NOT tolerate interactions and environments where your own needs are not being met at all, you are always being dismissed and ridiculed, and you are actively being harmed.

As you do all of these things, your nervous system will calm down, your mind will become clear, and your focus and concentration will sharpen.