Remember those carefree days when you didn’t feel like your day was full of stress? It may have been recently or as far back as childhood, but there was a time when you had a zest for life!

As adults, that joy can quickly get sucked out of us as we navigate the responsibilities of paying bills, being productive citizens, and having a family, whatever it looks like for us. 

You don’t have to look far to find things to stress about. Yet, it can be challenging to remember your passions, and you have to actively try to include things that make you happy each day. 

It doesn’t have to be “just another thing” on your to-do list. It may be hard to get started, but once that joy is brought back to the surface, it spreads to everything you do and makes difficult tasks a bit easier. So, if you’re tired of going through the motions each day, follow these four steps to rekindle your passion for life.

Step 1. Flashback to Your “Before Now” Life

If you have kids or a career that seems to take all your energy, it’s easy to forget that you were a person before those things entered the scene. It can seem like overnight, you morphed into this new person whose only identity is your job (either as a parent, spouse, or worker).

Take a few minutes to try to remember the person you were before you had these major responsibilities. What were your dreams? Your hobbies? Who were your friends? Are they still around? When was the last time you did something for yourself without worrying about what other people would think?

If any of those childhood dreams and interests still wake up a little part of your heart, go back to them! Give them a try. You’re not the same person you were, but you may still have those passions, or they could have changed into something new. Without taking time for yourself to explore your interests, you won’t know what ignites your passions.

It’s tempting to think that your family/job/etc. would fall apart if you took a day off, but in reality, the people affected will likely get along just fine. They may grumble or have to adjust their own agenda. But in the end, they’ll appreciate that you took the time to refresh your mental state and have returned to them much happier.

Step 2. Get Some Fresh Air Every Day

Most of us work “office-style” jobs where we’re inside from early morning until the sun is about to set. It’s hard to get fresh air if you have a lifestyle like that, yet it’s crucial to your mental and physical health.

Fresh air plays a vital role in your overall well-being. It cleans your lungs and helps improve digestion. You’ll notice a second wind because it boosts your energy levels. 

If you’re in the sunshine, you get the much-needed Vitamin D that many of us are deficient in. And simply sitting in the quiet air is enough to lower your blood pressure and decrease your stress levels.

If you get outside and exercise, those benefits significantly increase. But it’s enough to get started by sitting on your porch or someplace peaceful, putting your phone away, and letting nature do its thing on your mind and body.

Step 3. Eat Better

Feeling blah lately? Your nutrition could be causing that lack of interest in life that’s bringing you down.

Vitamins and minerals are a necessary part of physical and mental wellness. However, if you’re not strategically eating a balanced meal, you’re probably not getting all the nutrients you need for your brain to function properly.

Unhealthy, processed food full of preservatives, sugar, and other “yummy” ingredients bogs down your gut health, which plays a major role in your brain health. 

The more natural foods you eat, the better your energy, thinking, and movement become. On the other hand, if you struggle to get all those nutrients into your day, you may find yourself depressed, stressed, and anxious.

Talk to your doctor if you think you have signs of depression or anxiety or if you need help to balance your gut health. They may suggest natural aids, like medical marijuana, which can be topical or consumed in edible form, as long as you are aware of how much you’re ingesting.

You’ll quickly find an increase in your energy and zest for life when your gut health and nutrients are back to normal.

Step 4. Volunteer For a Cause You Enjoy

Giving back isn’t just for others. When you’re generous with your time and skills, it makes you feel better, too.

Volunteering for a cause you’re interested in, whether online or in person, is a great way to decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness. It can help you build your self-esteem and your network of social contacts.

While you’re donating your talents, you feel appreciated and remember that you have a purpose. That makes you realize your worth, and you begin to notice your passions rekindling once again.

Conclusion

Part of rekindling your passion for life is remembering that it was there and it can be again! Use these four steps to get yourself back on track, and your zest for living will follow.