Recently someone told me that she found the word EMPOWERMENT “arrogant and feminist.” Given that the tagline of my business is “Empowerment through self-care”, I decided to do some research and inspire us all to think about empowerment and the role we want it to play in our lives as of 2018. Is empowerment for you?
“Empowerment” generally refers to measures designed to:
- Increase autonomy and self-determination.
- Enable individuals to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way.
- Become stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life.
Empowerment refers both to the process of self-empowerment and to professional support enabling individuals to overcome their sense of powerlessness and to recognize and use their resources.
Well, I don’t know about you, but when I understand the above, It’s definitely for me! I want it not only for myself but am inspired in taking on the responsibility to professionally support others to improve theirs. What about you? If you too like the sound of empowerment and you want more of it in your life as of 2018, read on!
I believe the foundation of empowerment begins with self-care, simply because when we feel our best, we operate on a higher level and move through life more confidently and powerfully. Self-care involves recognizing and identifying our needs and taking responsibility to thoughtfully make choices about our lifestyle. Holistically, I propose prioritizing the four “empowerment zones” of MINDFULNESS, NUTRITION, ACTIVITY and SLEEP. Let’s see why and how.
Empowerment through MINDFULNESS – turn off your automatic pilot!
Mindfulness begins by paying attention, by pausing to take a deep breath and turning off our “automatic pilot”. Try applying this pause before eating, working, physical activity, sleeping or just doing anything. Bringing new awareness to our everyday experiences by paying more attention in a “curious-to-learn” way allows us to stand back and consider all options and empower ourselves to choose our next priority. Asking ourselves “just why am I doing this now”? and answering ourselves honestly to make a non-judgmental choice about continuing is empowerment. Mindfulness teaches us that each experience is an opportunity to practice and learn from, a prerequisite for enhanced personal growth and empowerment.
Empowerment through good NUTRITION, get it balanced!
Nutrition has a huge impact on both physical and mental health and is subsequently vital for empowerment. Energy, weight, illness, sleep, activity, stress and mood are all intricately linked to balanced nutrition. Diet plays a vital role in concentration, analytical skills, alertness, focus and productivity – key drivers of confidence, self-esteem and well-being. Try combining mindfulness with balanced nutrition by initiating the new habit of pausing to ask yourself “am I hungry?” or “what do I really need right now, is it really food?” before choosing to eat. The resulting Mindful Eating empowers us to approach our nutrition with increased self-efficacy and pleasure.
Empowerment through regular ACTIVITY, no time not to!
There is overwhelming evidence that people leading active lifestyles are healthier, sleep better and are more likely to live longer. Regular activity not only improves physical fitness but also improves mental health, mood, stress and our general sense of well-being. A regular exercise routine often compels people to approach fitness in a more holistic fashion, leading to a healthier lifestyle in every way, inspiring us to take full charge of our well-being. Try prioritizing your physical activity to see noticeable improvements in your self-image, sense of pride and feelings of empowerment.
Empowerment through REST, Sleep your way to the top! (Arianna Huffington)
Brain functions including the ability to concentrate, pay attention, react quickly, be creative, innovate, solve problems and make decisions are all more effective when we sleep enough. Insufficient sleep can lead to a greater appetite which can increase the likelihood of sluggishness and overweight. Lack of sufficient rest makes us more susceptible to stress, and depression and tends to make us more emotional, irritable, grumpy and short tempered. In short, lack of sleep slaughters empowerment! Prioritizing sleep and relaxation, eating well and exercising regularly to keep our sleep hormones in balance all feed into improved well-being and underlie my holistic concept of empowerment.
Boost your 2018 empowerment strategy NOW with your NEW FREE WORKBOOK! (English / Français)
If you are convinced and ready to boost your empowerment and thrive in 2018, it’s likely time to take care of yourself! I encourage you to download your FREE “EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SELF-CARE WORKBOOK” (In French or English) with 10 practical, pragmatic and workable TIPS in each of the four “empowerment zones” along with tools to help you assess, prioritize and change your behavior. My new WORKBOOK will help you prepare a clear personalized plan of empowering objectives to implement at your own pace. I am convinced that you will soon realize that what you may today consider “selfish” time will exponentially benefit your personal and professional life. Consider it like putting on your oxygen mask first! I would love your feedback on the workbook and if it is not enough, please contact me for the support and accountability you need to work through the process. You will not only feel fabulous, but enhance your contribution to the world! Happy New Year!
