Everyone is talking about self-care nowadays.Caring for yourself does not only include treating yourself to occasional luxuries, such as a nice meal, exotic vacation, massage, or a long, hot bath.Self-care is more than that.It means taking responsibility for your well-being in all the important areas of your life.So, get ready to learn how to improve your health and happiness by taking care of yourself effectively!

We spend all of our lives playing out different roles. We are parents, workers, spouses, sons or daughters, siblings, students, only to name a few.Even though these roles bring fulfillment, they can also wear us out unless we occasionally step out of them and take time for ourselves.This is what self-care is all about: spending our time and energy examining and satisfying our needs and doing things that make us happy, healthy, and energized.

Care about your self-care

Gobin believes the self-care prescription should, therefore, include nurturing every aspect of ourselves—mind, body, and spirit.She focuses on strategies that will help you improve six essential dimensions of wellness:<ul><li>Physical</li><li>Spiritual</li><li>Emotional</li><li>Intellectual</li><li>Vocational</li><li>Social</li></ul>Let’s review what each of them entails and what you need to do to keep them healthy and well-balanced.

‘’Physical self-care involves caring for your body in ways that sustain, revitalize, and strengthen it,’’ Gobin writes. It involves three components: physical movement, sleep and rest, and proper nutrition.Doing physical activity doesn’t necessarily need to be about going to the gym. It can include doing stretches during commercials on TV, engaging in physical activity with your pet, spouse, kids, or taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator.Remember, even short periods of exercise produce health benefits.

Physical and intellectual self-care

Just as physical exercise is an inevitable part of physical self-care, so is brain exercise for the intellectual. It helps your brain realize its full potential and function well as long as possible.Learning new things is perhaps the best way to stimulate our brains. You can gain new knowledge by reading a book, magazine, or blog for pleasure, listening to an informational podcast or an audiobook, solving crosswords, visiting a museum, or engaging in healthy debate on a topic you’re passionate about.

First of all, create your social-self care vision. Here is an example of one: “I am shaping relationships in which deep connection is plentiful, love and respect is mutual, and contact is pleasant and consistent.”Then, develop a social-self care plan to make your vision a reality. It can, for example, include doing your favorite activities, ranging from sports and vigorous exercise to dancing or playing a board game with people you care for.

Be a good friend — to yourself and others

But sometimes we need to isolate ourselves from everyone and dedicate some time to our emotional needs.The key to being emotionally healthy is developing an assertive relationship with our emotions.Once we do this, we will be able to embrace the pain when we are hurting because we know it won’t last forever.Assertive relationship with our emotions also allows us to savor the pleasant moments without holding on to them too tightly, enables us to control our emotional responses and cope with life’s challenges effectively.

Even if it sometimes seems there is nothing good about your job, there probably are some aspects that you like or appreciate. After all, there is no entirely awful job, right?Start improving your life at work by finding its benefits—and try to be grateful for them. Rather than being miserable about the downsides, observe them as challenges for which you should find solutions.Perhaps you can even take up a hobby that exploits your talents and brings you joy. This might increase earning potential at your current job or help you find new employment that is closer to your vocation.

Find more meaning in your career

Your spirit also needs care, which entails engaging in activities that turn your attention inward and connect you with yourself. Spiritual self-care helps us realize what matters to us and what we believe in.You can also use this time to say a prayer, read an uplifting blog, or spend time in nature. Spend some time isolated from the outer world, try to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions.Once you get accustomed to treating your thoughts and emotions as temporary sensations, you will be able tomake your decisions without being influenced by them.

Satisfy your spiritual needs

No one will ever care for you better than you do.Therefore, never forget to regularly ask yourself how you are doing and what your body, spirit, and mind are asking for.Remember: self-care is not a selfish act but the act of responsibility toward yourself and others.

Final No

Best suited for those who need a break from the family, job and other responsibilities; who often feel overwhelmed, unhappy and unfulfilled, and anyone who needs a self-care prescription.

Improve your well-being every day with solutions-based, self-care strategies that work. Picture your best life: Where would you work? What would your social calendar look like? What personal interests would you be exploring? This book is your prescription to turn those visions into a reality—with proven self care strategies for every area of your life. The Self Care Prescription empowers you to find balance and purpose in your relationships, work, and life. From creating a plan to spend more time with family and friends, to zeroing-in on a career that you can feel good about, the book will help you create a personalized self care plan. You'll also learn actionable techniques to fight anxiety, demotivation, or whatever else is holding you back from building the life you want to live. The Self Care Prescription includes: <ul> <li>Self care 101—Learn what "self care" really means, and how you can start practicing it every day.</li> <li>A full-spectrum plan—Bring self care to the physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational, and social areas of your life.</li> <li>Best-life strategies—Unwind with mindfulness breathing practices or start eating right with healthy meal planning—you'll find tons of actionable self care techniques to help you reach your goals.</li> </ul> Be the friend you want to be to yourself and others. Be engaged with what you do. Whatever self care means to you, you'll find your own personal practice in this book.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

mindfulness

Mindfulness

health

Health

books

Books

Robyn Gobin PhD

The Self Care Prescription

The US dollar remains the undisputed global gold standard of currencies – it's the world's primary choice for investing, trading, and reserve holdings. But with the turmoil caused by President Trump’s tariffs, markets are wondering whether its global grip is loosening, or simply hitting a speed bump.

“De-dollarisation” and “changing world order” are terms being thrown around, speculating about the end of the almighty dollar’s reign. Some central banks are adjusting their reserve portfolios, governments are experimenting with non-dollar bonds, and alternative payment systems could emerge.

What’s going on here?

However, the dollar still accounts for about 60% of global foreign exchange reserves – the next closest competitor (the euro) only stands at around 20%, according to IMF data.The recent tariff tensions have, however, raised some eyebrows. The White House has hit its trading partners with unpredictable new import duties and that shift toward economic nationalism has made their allies uneasy. Global markets like stability – and that’s being tested right now. Since the start of the year, the US dollar has lost about 10% of its value against a wide basket of currencies.

But this isn’t all about one US president. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, a string of sanctions sent a clear reminder – the dollar can be a powerful weapon. That was a wake-up call for countries like China and India, prompting them to explore ways of reducing the risk of being cut out of the dollar-based system.

It's important to maintain perspective. The US dollar still holds a central place in global finance and US markets continue to offer unmatched depth and liquidity. However, if your entire portfolio is invested solely in USD-oriented assets, like US stocks, you might be overconcentrating your risk.

What’s the takeaway?

It’s always a good idea to diversify your investments across countries, asset classes, and currencies – it's a sensible approach to managing risk while capturing opportunities worldwide.

Gold is likely to keep shining as well – it doesn’t rely on any one government and it’s been the ultimate hedge against uncertainty for thousands of years.

China’s GDP grew by a better-than-expected 5.4% year-on-year for the first quarter, but analysts don’t expect that economic resilience to last. With the US placing 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, it's easy to see why they're pessimistic.

📰 In Other News: China's growth surprise – the calm before the tariff storm?

Eager to ship stuff to customers before those increased costs set in, the country’s factories have likely been pushing production lines into overdrive, contributing to that healthy growth number. That figure was also fueled by the retail side of things – helped along by state-sponsored spending incentives, Chinese shoppers spent 5.9% more this March than the last, far above the 4.2% analysts predicted.

The almighty dollarThe US dollar's role as the world's reserve currency dates back to the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement, when 44 countries agreed to peg their currencies to the dollar. It has since maintained its position through sheer economic momentum and trust. Being the world's reserve currency gives the US the ability to borrow more cheaply, conduct international trade in its own currency, and project financial power globally.

📖 A Little Context: The almighty dollar

Summary from my email subscription "StashAway Weekly Buzz" and this week is about ... The dollar may dip but it still dominates! 👑

Discover the world of business and economics.

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Economics

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Money & Investments

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Politics

The dollar may dip but it still dominates! 👑

Burnett and Evans believe that design thinking can be a game-changer for finding meaning and satisfaction in our work lives. By understanding our values and needs, brainstorming ways to meet them, and taking action to make these ideas a reality, we can create a work life that's both fulfilling and meaningful.

Use design thinking to make your life meaningful.

Taking active steps towards achieving your goals and finding happiness in your current situation. It's about reframing your perspective to focus on the positives and looking for ways to improve the negatives. By doing this, you can find happiness in your work life and ultimately thrive and change for the better.

Don't wait for happiness, work for it!

Instead of just making lemonade out of lemons, why not change the situation so you're not just stuck with lemons? It's all about introspection, setting achievable goals, appreciating what you have, and understanding your personal rhythms.

Turn a bad situation around by changing it.

Let's say you're someone who values creativity and innovation. If you pick a job that lets you be creative and innovative, you're likely to find it fulfilling. But if you pick a job that doesn't let you express your creativity, even if it pays well, you might end up feeling unfulfilled and unhappy.So, sing the wrong compass in your work and life is about letting the wrong things guide your decisions. But by figuring out your work and life views, you can make sure you're using the right compass, your compass, and find happiness and fulfillment in your work and life.

Don't let others guide your life, use your own compass.

The key to feeling satisfied and engaged at work, according to the authors, is having a growth mindset. It gives us the power to steer our career path, to keep learning and improving, and to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

Stay positive to feel satisfied and engaged.

But what if you're stuck in a fixed mindset?Don't worry, mindsets aren't permanent. They can be changed and developed. If you catch yourself thinking in a fixed way, try to shift your perspective. Instead of seeing a problem as a mountain you can't climb, ask yourself what you can do to make it manageable. Instead of blaming others or external circumstances for your failures, think about what you could have done differently and what you can learn from the experience.

There are two main routes you can take: relabel and re-enlist, or redesign.

Don't quit your job, make it better!

First, relabel and re-enlist.This is all about changing how you see your job. It's about finding new reasons to love what you do and reshaping your relationship with your work. Maybe you get a kick out of the impact your work has on others, or perhaps you thrive on the challenges it throws your way. You could even tweak your workspace to make it more comfy, or ask your boss for some feedback to feel more appreciated. This route is all about reigniting your passion for your job and finding reasons to stick around.

The second route, redesign.A bit more hands-on. It involves making some big changes to your job. Maybe you could switch to a different department in the same company, or try out a different role that's a better fit for your skills and interests. This route takes a bit more effort, as you're making some pretty big changes, but it can often be the fastest way to improve your work situation.

So, in "Don't resign from your job; instead, redesign" is all about taking control of your work life and making changes that can lead to greater satisfaction and happiness. It's about being proactive and making the most of your current situation before deciding to quit. It's a powerful idea that can help you thrive and find happiness at work. So, why not give it a try?

What's the best way to quit? It's what we call "Generative Quitting". It's about seeing quitting not as a negative act, but as a positive choice that opens up new doors. It's about seeing the end of one job as the start of something new. You've learned a lot, and now you can use that experience elsewhere.

Quitting is a choice, do it with a purpose.

Designing your work life is a continuous process that requires constant adaptation and change. It's about finding what truly makes you happy and fulfilled in your career. It's not just about the paycheck, but about finding meaning and purpose in what you do. To thrive in your work life, you need to understand your values, strengths, and passions. This understanding will guide you in making career decisions that align with who you are. It's also important to maintain a growth mindset, which allows you to see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles.

Conclusion

It's not about achieving a perfect work life, but about designing a work life that works for you. It's about finding balance, fulfillment, and happiness in what you do every day.

Explore practical strategies and innovative solutions to transform your work life, achieve career satisfaction, and find happiness in your everyday job.

When Designing Your Life was published in 2016, Stanford’s Bill Burnett and Dave Evans taught readers how to use design thinking to build meaningful, fulfilling lives (“Life has questions. They have answers.” –The New York Times). The book struck a chord, becoming an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. Now, in DESIGNING YOUR WORK LIFE: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work they apply that transformative thinking to the place we spend more time than anywhere else: work.   DESIGNING YOUR WORK LIFE teaches readers how to create the job they want—without necessarily leaving the job they already have.   “Increasingly, it’s up to workers to define their own happiness and success in this ever-moving landscape,” they write, and chapter by chapter, they demonstrate how to build positive change, wherever you are in your career. Whether you want to stay in your job and make it a more meaningful experience, or if you decide it’s time to move on, Evans and Burnett show you how to visualize and build a work-life that is productive, engaged, meaningful, and more fun.

career

Career

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Mental Health

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Problem Solving

Bill Burnett is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Bill Burnett has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Bill Burnett's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Bill Burnett

Dave Evans is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Dave Evans has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Dave Evans's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Dave Evans

Designing Your Work Life

Living well isn't just about making good decisions, it's about thinking well too. It's about focusing our mental energy on the important stuff and not wasting it on unnecessary worries. By doing this, we can stop doubting ourselves, avoid decision fatigue, and bring more joy and peace into our lives. It's about taking control of our thoughts, thinking well, and living well. So, let's stop overthinking and start living!

Good living is all about good thinking.

Overthinking is a habit, and habits can be changed. By practicing new ways of thinking and reinforcing these new thought habits, you can break the cycle of overthinking and bring more joy and peace into your life. It might take some time and effort, but it's worth

Stop overthinking by training your brain to think differently

Analysis paralysis is when you overthink so much that you can't make a decision. It can be caused by being too curious, having too much information, or being a perfectionist. But by taking action and letting go of perfectionism, you can beat analysis paralysis and make decision-making a breeze.

Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis.

CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN TWO GOOD THINGS? JUST PICK ONE AND MOVE ON

ecision fatigue is a sneaky form of mental tiredness that can be kept at bay by reducing the number of decisions you have to make. By eating the same thing, having a go-to dish, setting specific times for activities, and managing your gadget usage, you can keep your brain power in check and steer clear of overthinking.

Clear your mind to make better decisions

Life's unpredictability doesn't have to be a source of stress. By making decisions without overthinking, adopting a positive mindset, and planning for the unexpected, you can navigate life's detours with grace and find joy in the journey.

When life throws a curveball, be ready to switch gears fast

Overthinking can be a major hindrance to decision-making and overall happiness. It's important to recognize when you're stuck in a cycle of excessive contemplation and learn to break free. By simplifying your decision-making process and learning to trust your instincts, you can reduce stress and increase joy in your life.Don't let overthinking rob you of your happiness. Make decisions with confidence, embrace the possibility of making mistakes, maintain a positive outlook, and prioritize joy in your life.

Discover practical strategies to stop the cycle of overthinking and start making decisions with confidence, bringing more joy and peace to your life

A Wall Street Journal bestseller! *** We've all been there: stuck in a cycle of what-ifs, plagued by indecision, paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong. Nobody wants to live a life of constant overthinking, but it doesn't feel like something we can choose to stop doing. It feels like something we're wired to do, something we just can't escape. But is it? Anne Bogel's answer is no. Not only can you overcome negative thought patterns that are repetitive, unhealthy, and unhelpful, you can replace them with positive thought patterns that will bring more peace, joy, and love into your life. In Don't Overthink It, you'll find actionable strategies that can make an immediate and lasting difference in how you deal with questions both small--Should I buy these flowers?--and large--What am I doing with my life? More than a book about making good decisions, Don't Overthink It offers you a framework for making choices you'll be comfortable with, using an appropriate amount of energy, freeing you to focus on all the other stuff that matters in life.

habits

Habits

Anne Bogel

Don't Overthink It

Every day, we find ourselves in different social settings where some people seem to have more influence or status than others. This isn't just a human thing; it happens in the animal world too! Understanding how these social structures work can really help us figure out how to succeed in them. One of the easiest ways to boost our standing is simply by paying attention to our posture.

1. Why good posture matters in social situations?

You know how we often put others first? We do it all the time with our pets, friends, and family. If our dog gets sick, we rush to the vet and follow all the instructions without a second thought. But when it comes to our own health, we sometimes ignore what doctors tell us. It makes you wonder why we show more kindness to our pets than to ourselves.

2. Take care of yourself like you do for others.

The people we hang out with can really shape our lives. It’s not just a saying; it’s a real thing that affects us in many ways. Take, for example, a story about a guy who had a childhood friend. This friend had so much potential but got stuck in a rut because of the negative crowd he was with. It’s a reminder that our friends can either lift us up or drag us down.

3. Why picking the right friends matters?

In today's world, it can feel like everyone is sharing their successes online, making it easy to lose sight of our own progress. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should focus on how far we've come in our own lives. True growth is about looking back at our past achievements, not measuring ourselves against someone else's highlight reel.

4. Embrace your own journey: Why self-comparison matters?

Being a parent is a big job. It's not just about making sure your child has food and clothes; it's also about helping them grow emotionally and socially. Nowadays, kids face a lot of different influences, so it's super important for parents to be involved in shaping who they become. The main idea here is that it's a parent's job to raise kids who are both responsible and kind. This isn't just a nice thought; it's really important for the child's happiness and for everyone around them.

5. Important role of parents in raising responsible kids.

Life can be tough, and it’s easy to feel weighed down by all the unfairness around us. Many people struggle with these harsh realities and sometimes look for extreme ways to cope with their pain. Some thinkers have shared their thoughts on this, suggesting that when life feels absurd, we might think about giving up or just ignoring the problems. But this kind of thinking can lead to tragic outcomes, like the heartbreaking events we've seen in schools.

6. Taking charge in a world full of challenges.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of instant rewards. But sometimes, chasing after quick pleasures can distract us from what really matters in life. Think about the story of a monkey stuck in a cookie jar. It can easily grab a cookie, but when it tries to pull its hand out, it gets stuck. This shows us that being greedy can lead to trouble. Just like the monkey, many of us hold on to short-term pleasures instead of letting go for something better in the long run.

7. The power of sacrifice: Choosing meaning over quick fixes.

As we go through life, being honest is super important. When we lie to ourselves or others, we can end up fooling ourselves. This can lead to dreams that are way too big or goals that just aren’t realistic.We often create these 'life lies' because we want to believe in something that sounds good. For example, dreaming about a perfect retirement on a sunny beach with endless drinks is nice, but if we don’t see how unrealistic that is, we might just be chasing a fantasy. This can trap us in a cycle where we ignore what’s really happening around us.

8. Why being honest with ourselves atters?

Talking isn't just about exchanging words; it's a chance to learn and grow. Think about it: a wise person once said they only knew one thing for sure they knew nothing. This kind of humility opens the door to real conversations, where understanding matters more than winning an argument.Meaningful chats are like going on a journey of thought. Just like thinking helps us see different sides of a situation, conversations let us explore ideas together. This back-and-forth is super important for our personal growth. It helps us think about other viewpoints and fine-tune our own beliefs.

9. Talking together: A way to grow and understand each other

Life can feel really complicated, right? We have so many experiences, relationships, and challenges that it can be a bit overwhelming. Often, we focus on what's right in front of us and forget about the bigger picture. For example, when we see an apple on the ground, we might just think of it as something to eat, not considering the whole ecosystem that made it possible. This way of simplifying things helps us get through daily life without getting stuck in all the details.

10. Navigating life's complexity with clear communication.

How we view masculinity today? There’s a lot of talk about how some men can act in harmful ways, but it’s also crucial to recognize the good qualities that many men have. It’s all about finding a balance. We shouldn’t ignore the positive traits that come with being masculine just because some men behave badly.There’s a lot of anger in our society right now, especially towards men in power. Some people see the term 'patriarchy' as a bad thing, thinking it only hurts women and others who are marginalized. But it’s important to look understand that not all men fit into that negative mold.

11. Finding the right balance in masculinity.

Life is a mix of ups and downs. We all go through tough times, but there are also moments of happiness that make it all worthwhile. It's important to notice and celebrate those little joys, especially when things get hard.This idea reminds us to make the most of even the smallest joys. It’s not just about chasing happiness; it’s about being grateful and strong. When we focus on the good things, we can get through the hard times with hope. That little bit of progress is worth celebrating, no matter how small.

12. Finding joy in tough times.

Life is also about finding joy and beauty, even when things get tough. Those little moments of happiness are precious and remind us that there’s so much richness in life, even amid chaos. Whether it’s through our relationships, nature, or personal wins, appreciating the small things can give us purpose and keep us motivated.In the end, the message is all about empowerment. By owning our lives, being honest, and always trying to improve, we can face life’s challenges with more confidence and resilience. Yes, life can be hard, but it’s also a chance for growth and learning.

This book will let you explored 12 profound and practical principles to navigate through life's chaos, improve your decision making, and achieve personal growth.

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER  #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research. Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street. What does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? Why did ancient Egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? What dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

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Religion & Spirituality

Jordan Bernt Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator. He began to receive widespread attention in the late 2010s for his views on cultural and political issues, often described as conservative. Peterson has described himself as a classic British liberal and a traditionalist.

The Self Care Prescription

The dollar may dip but it still dominates! 👑

Designing Your Work Life

Don't Overthink It

12 Rules for Life

Gabriel Dè Light