- The name of the game's self-improvement...
From exercising, to avoiding doomscrolling, to eating more fiber, and much more, we all know the things we’re supposed to be doing, and we all know how easy it is to avoid doing them. Below are five of the many things you’re probably not doing that you should be and why you really will feel better if you just bite the bullet and move forward.
See the Dentist
Nobody likes going to the dentist. Well, almost no one likes it. We all have that friend, coworker or relative who insists that they always feel great after having their teeth cleaned. If you aren’t that person, this is probably a chore that is all too easily postponed indefinitely. Even those among us who are generally pretty good at staying on top of other types of checkups often balk at the thought of sitting in an uncomfortable chair while strangers put their hands in our mouths.
There are two big reasons so many people tend to avoid the dentist. One is fear. Many people had a bad dental experience at some point in their past, and it stayed with them. In some cases, it might have been in childhood or at least a long time ago. There’s good news. Dental procedures are always improving, and chances are things are a lot less painful today. In addition, some practices specialize in working with those who have dental phobias. Look for one that does. The other big reason for avoidance is cost.
It’s not so much that costs are higher than other areas of medicine but that many insurance policies don’t cover it. However, there’s an out of pocket cost financing option that can help you get the treatment you need and cover the costs. You can pay in monthly installments. Ask your practice to send you a unique application link or look for it yourself online. This will allow you to split those costs into smaller payment plans. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, you probably have some oral health issues that need addressing, and if you don’t, preventative care can keep issues from arising. This is nobody’s idea of a good time, but you’ll be better off afterward.
Make a Budget
Speaking of paying for dental care, when was the last time you made a budget? If you said never, you’re not alone. Whether it’s having to confront just how in debt you really are or being forced to rein in your spending, it can seem as though there’s very little that’s appealing in making a budget. However, there are several advantages to creating a budget. First, as stressful as it can be to look at your debt, it’s also the first step toward clearing in. You can then start working toward money goals, whether that’s getting out of debt or saving money.
Finally, although you may think of budgeting as a straitjacket, it can be freeing. When you know what’s coming in and what’s outgoing, you won’t have to spend any more time fretting over whether you can afford that meal out or a new outfit. On top of all that, there are many tools now that can make budgeting almost painless. Apps can track your spending and do all the hard work of figuring out where your money is going for you. Go ahead and make that budget. Your quality of life will improve when you do.
Apologize
Admitting that you’re wrong might be the hardest thing of all to do. But one of the great things about apologizing to someone when you know you were wrong is that it’s something that gets easier over time. If you’re not used to thinking of yourself as fallible, that can be a big mental hurdle to get past. However, you might find that the whole experience is a little anticlimactic. You admitted you were wrong about something, and the world didn’t end. Knowing how and when to apologize is one of the best things that you can do to enhance your relationships with others.
Take Five
Take five refers to five minutes, and the five that you should take are to tackle something you’ve been procrastinating about. Whether that’s doing your taxes, making a phone call you’ve been avoiding or tackling clutter in your house, beginning with just five minutes can break the mental block that you’ve created. You can endure almost anything for five minutes, and if you feel like carrying on after those minutes have passed, you can. On the other hand, if you don’t, you have permission to stop. Tomorrow, just take five again. You’ll eventually get to the end of the task you couldn’t seem to make yourself start.
Challenge Yourself
This one might seem a little bit unfair if you’ve done all the above and felt like that was challenge enough. However, this is for a challenge that you’ve wanted to take on but held back from on the grounds that you felt like you weren’t ready or that you would fail. The idea here is not that if you take on the challenge, you will automatically be successful. It’s that you will learn to become comfortable with whatever outcome happens. Fear at taking on a challenge is really fear of failure. Yet a success rate of 100% isn’t possible. Trying and failing teaches you to take failure in stride. Best of all, at some of those challenges, you will surprise yourself and succeed.