Thriving or Surviving? Read This to Find Out.
What is thriving vs surviving? Thriving is “to prosper; flourish.” Surviving is “continuing to exist; remaining intact.” Our bodies will do everything in their power to make sure that we survive, but it is up to conscious decision-making that we thrive. Maybe you’re not sure if you’re thriving. Maybe you’re just trying your best to survive. Maybe you need guidance on how to move forward in survival mode in order to start thriving.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
Am I feeling low-energy, tired, or anxious most of the time?
Do I find things to look forward to, or is it a struggle to get through every day?
Am I constantly thinking about food or movement all of the time?
Do I have moments of peace and relaxation?
How am I sleeping?
How often am I getting sick?
Am I irritable or finding others frustrating more times than not?
Do I have people I can turn to when I feel overwhelmed?
Am I isolating myself from my friends and family (avoiding social gatherings, not texting back, not answering calls, etc.)?
When was the last time I took the time to do one thing purely for enjoyment or self-care?
Sometimes all we need are a few questions to bring ourselves to the realization that we are not thriving. The truth is, our bodies and minds are in survival mode.
If you have found that this is the case, keep these tips in mind:
Take one day. It doesn’t have to be a week or a month or a year, but take one day to fully reset and recharge. Make yourself comforting meals, stay in comfy clothes, and relax. If you are busy with young kids, it can be harder to carve out this time for yourself. It is SO important that you do so, both for yourself and for them! Don’t hesitate to reach out to someone to help you with your responsibilities if you need this hard reset.
Set aside time to catch up with loved ones. It may seem like a daunting task, but just spending a dedicated amount of time reconnecting with family and friends may help give you the boost you need. If it’s been a while, you could send a text saying something like, “I am sorry it has been a while since I reached out to you! I would love to do a quick catch-up soon. How does this day/time sound?”
Prioritize rest and nourishment. If your body is in survival mode, it is so important that you take the time to calm your nervous system down. Doing things like yoga, journaling, watching your favorite TV show, reading a good book, and eating balanced meals (i.e. ALL the food groups) are some amazing places to start.
Set things up in your calendar to look forward to. They don’t have to be big tasks or expensive trips. Just think of 3-4 things that you can add to your calendar before the end of the year that would bring you a bit of joy. Around the holiday season, there are so many free, fun activities happening around Knoxville. If that’s not your jam, maybe try a new coffee shop or bookstore and hang out for a bit. There might even be a new movie you’ve been wanting to rent- you could invite a friend over to watch with you!
Find inspirational photos/quotes and place them in places that you will see them often. Sometimes all we need is a little environmental refresh! The more you see and read these uplifting things, the more you will see them in your life. It’s science! On the same note, buying a new scarf or sweater can be a fun boost to bring light to a dreary Monday morning.
Set up an appointment with a therapist and a dietitian. If you are having trouble with symptoms of anxiety, depression, malnutrition, etc., it is SO important that you prioritize seeing licensed professionals to get back on track.
Thriving is a great goal, but it is important to note that life isn’t always going to look like that. However, we want to help you feel like you’re thriving more often than not! Book an appointment with us today, and we can join you on your journey towards a more balanced lifestyle.
Written by Trinny Duncan, Student Intern and Peggy Pratt, PhD, RDN, LDN, CEDS-C