PERSONAL CHANGE INFLUENCES social change from the inside out. So, before you can offer social change, and become a successful ‘Change-maker’, you must set yourself up to lead a more fulfilling and productive life – because you cannot pour from an empty cup!
The goal for success in any area of performance requires mental and physical change. Once you have set a goal – to change the way you look, feel, think, or communicate – it will always be there.
The interest in the role Wellbeing plays in driving social change is not new; it has roots in many movements and traditions over time. But the primary reasons for people not caring for their wellbeing are that their work is everything and that self-care is indulgent, or that their work is never done. And working hard is seen as a ‘badge of honour’.
The early warning signs of burnout – depression, relationship issues, and chronic disease, are the personal challenges Change-makers face. Self-care is vital to develop self-awareness and self-engagement. Supporting the inner well-being of Change-makers can lead to more effective solutions to social and environmental challenges.
A study conducted by Community Care in 2016 found that 57 percent of respondents (social workers in England) used emotional eating, while 35 percent used alcohol as a mechanism to cope with work stress. Moreover, 63 percent of respondents had difficulties sleeping, 56 percent said that they were emotionally exhausted, and 75 percent said they were concerned about burnout. These outcomes were reported by individuals in the field and in leadership positions.
Social change work can be difficult and traumatizing. A significant number of people joining the social sector have previously experienced personal trauma and choose to do work connected to their own experiences. Therefore, it is not uncommon for someone who personally experienced bullying to work for an organization that deals with that issue.
It is a fact that people who made fitness a priority found that they felt more confident, had more energy and could better listen to others constructively, leading to healthier relationships at home and work.
Super-A training and workshops is more than physical they enable people to be a better person to foster inner trust and respect so that they can cultivate constructive social change. The Super-A website and Magazine are platforms to inspire and educate individuals towards their goals.
10 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON
Count Your Blessings
Every evening before you go to bed, take a couple of minutes to write down three things you were grateful for that day. Giving yourself a little emotional boost will make you happy. And, when you’re satisfied with yourself, that emotion can be contagious to those around you.
Intelligent Exercising
Strength exercise can do more than improve your muscle tone and heart. Professor Damian Bailey at the University of South Wales, who’s been researching the effects of exercise on your brain, discovered that one of the best exercises you can do to boost your brainpower is the simple squat.
Stand on One Leg
According to Professor Dawn Skelton at Glasgow Caledonian University, your balance starts to deteriorate in your forties, and worsens with each decade. Good balance is taken for granted; if we don’t use it, we lose it and practicing a single-leg balance is the best thing you can do for a longer and more active life.
Take a deep breath
Slowing down and focusing on your breath can have a wide-reaching effect on your body and brain – from reducing pain to improving concentration. Psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Ian Robertson, Trinity College Dublin, says spending just a couple of seconds to control your breath can act as a powerful reset button for your brain.
Have a hot bath
A long soak in the bath is good for your heart, metabolism and sleep. The hot water slows the parasympathetic nervous system making it easier to breathe deeply. There is also
an interplay of responses in your brain and body that work together to get your body ready for rest – a hot bath one to two hours before bed can help kick start the process.
Be Yourself
Always align yourself with your beliefs and values, establish your identity, build courage, create boundaries, and find direction and focus.
Be Open to Change
You should always be open to change, whether trying a new meal, travelling somewhere different, or doing something that scares you. Unique experiences allow you to grow because it’s something new. It helps boost your self-confidence and self-awareness.
Be Respectful
Be respectful of others’ time, thoughts, ideas; people have a right to their opinions, and yours is not necessarily correct. You don’t have to agree with any of it, but humility goes a long way.
Let Go of Anger
While anger is a perfectly normal emotion – letting go of anger is easier said than done. Research suggests pent-up anger can cause digestive problems, difficulty sleeping, and even heart disease. Write your feelings down, take up an activity to manage your thoughts.
Educate Yourself
If you don’t understand something, take the time to educate yourself or ask a person connected with the subject for his or her thoughts. We’re all inter-connected and being aware can make you a more well-rounded individual. It will also help you understand points of view that differ from your own.
Whether you want to become a Change-Maker, a Meta-Ager, or simply work on becoming a better person just for you, it won’t happen overnight.
