Self-improvement is often approached as a complicated and multi-dimensional issue that seems more complex in theory than it actually is. However, striving to be better and to do things that enrich one’s life and make it healthier, more fulfilling, and exciting comes down to recognizing positive practices. Such activities may range from reading several books a month to spending more time with family. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to recognize the practices that have been harmful to one’s well-being and should be corrected or eliminated. Thus, even though finding positive practices is detrimental to enhancing the quality of life, it is also necessary to take away some activities that may hold one back from living a fulfilling life.
Considering the practices that can help me improve as a person, several things come to mind. First, I always feel better when I have enough sleep, at least eight hours a night. The importance of getting adequate sleep cannot be debated, as numerous studies have proven that sleep is crucial for improved cognition, concentration, and productivity (Okano et al., 2019). In addition, good sleep can improve one’s problem-solving skills and memory performance of people of all ages. When it comes to mental health, poor sleepers are more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders, which is why it is essential to pay attention to the amount of sleep one is getting.
Spending more time with family is another beneficial practice that many tend to overlook. In the world captured by screen time and social media, many people fail to recognize that they have become less social with their families. What is surprising is that spending time with relatives is a crucial component of a full and meaningful life and has some health benefits. For instance, face-to-face communication reduces the risks of depression and other mental illnesses because it enables strong emotional support. It can also help boost confidence and help improve future parenting skills.
Aside from everyday tasks and the increased workload, there are numerous activities that prevent me from getting enough sleep and spending more time with family. Specifically, spending too much time surfing the Internet, doing online shopping, and watching TV take a lot of time, although one may not always notice it. There have been times when I had something productive to do and planned to go online for ten minutes; however, without me noticing, several hours would pass with nothing being done. Similarly, before going to bed, I have often gone online shopping or turned on a new TV show, which prevented me from sleeping for several hours, leaving me sleep-deprived the next day. Moreover, I have started relying on online communication with my family, which is why our face-to-face interactions reduced significantly.
Therefore, it will be beneficial to cut the time I spend online and on social media and dedicate myself to positive practices. I should develop a schedule that allows me to sleep between eight to nine hours a day and set restrictions on my devices that could remind me of spending less time online. In addition, I should be more dedicated to spending more time with my family and strengthen connections with them. It will be challenging not to pick up my phone as often as I do while going to sleep earlier and without using devices is also a radical course of action.
Reference
Okano, K., Kaczmarzyk, J., Dave, N., Gabrieli, J., & Grossman, J. (2019). Sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance in college students. NPJ Science of Learning, 4(16).