The term “self-improvement” has almost as many definitions as there are people. So, the first step in any self-improvement is to clearly define what that means to you personally. What areas of your life would you like to see improved? Are you affected by stress? Wish you were in better health? Want more money and freedom? The first step is to come up with a series of goals and objectives. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
Once you have answers for these questions clearly in your mind, your self-improvement journey can begin.
Health is Wealth
You have probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: as long as you have your health, you have everything. Ironically, most people take better care of their automobiles than they do themselves.
Self-care begins with proper nutrition. According to several medical studies over the years, what we put in our bodies has a great impact on what happens not only with our physical health but our mental health as well. Some things to avoid:
• refined sugars and carbs
• red fatty meats
• excessive alcohol
• caffeine
Some better dietary choices include:
• whole grains
• fresh fruits and vegetables
• lean fish and poultry
• legumes
• nuts
The other part of the health equation is exercise. The type of physical activity is less important as the frequency; at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity three times a week will make a tremendous difference in how you feel.
While a good diet and regular exercise can help stave off many chronic conditions, they do not make you invincible. Everyone still needs to see a doctor from time to time. If your busy schedule makes it hard to get an in-person appointment, telehealth is always a great option.
Taking care of your mental well-being is just as important. El Futuro offers bilingual services if you are a Latino community in need of mental health services and substance use treatment.
Feeding the Spirit
Meditation and prayer (however you feel comfortable practicing these) are ways to calm and focus the mind. Contrary to common conception, meditation does not require sitting in uncomfortable positions, chanting mantras, and burning incense and candles; nor does prayer require religious faith. It requires only a place to quiet your mind and empty it of all thought.
The easiest way to meditate is to sit in a comfortable chair (recliners are good), close your eyes and take deep, regular breaths. Focus exclusively on your breath if you can; some people find it helpful to listen to white noise, such as a fan or air conditioner. Do this for at least 10 minutes a day and see what changes it brings.
Making a Career Shift
If you are dissatisfied with your current career or occupation, you’re not alone; the “Great Resignation” has seen millions leaving their jobs. Many have been launching their own businesses. Running a successful business is a lot of work, but getting up and running is easier when you take advantage of some of the online resources available. USA.gov offers checklists for starting and building your own business.
You may have a need for a formation service to assist you in registering your business with the state. An online service can save you both time and money by walking you through the major steps of the process. Once complete, you’ll be ready for business in legal compliance.
The most important thing to consider in self-improvement is to seek that inner connection. To effectively be of service to others, we need to start by serving ourselves. You’ve probably heard someone say, “Follow your bliss, and the money will follow.” It’s an important strategy, but understand that the money may not come from your bliss but something else that your bliss has allowed. Focus on your own happiness, and you will be well on the way to a better you.
Written by Amanda Henderson
Alvely Alcántara, LCSW
Rossy C. Garcia, MEd 
Katy Sims, MD 
Everardo Aviles, LCSW, LCAS (Eve)
As a medical anthropologist and social work researcher, Dr. Gulbas’ research embodies interdisciplinarity through the integration of applied theories of health and human development with qualitative and ethnographic methodologies. Her work seeks to understand how people—children, families, and providers—navigate complex sociocultural landscapes in the pursuit of mental health. Most of her work, to date, focuses attention on developing more robust interpretations of suicide risk. With funding from the National Institutes of Mental Health, this body of research has contributed to advancements in theoretical and empirical knowledge of the broader contexts within which youth suicide risk is situated. 
R. Gabriela Barajas-Gonzalez is a developmental psychologist and an assistant professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Barajas-Gonzalez is the principal investigator of a study that examines the impact of immigration-related threat and stress on school communities. She earned a PhD in developmental psychology from Columbia University and hold a BA in human biology from Stanford University. Dr. Barajas-Gonzalez is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first gen college student.
Dr. Parra-Cardona is an Associate Professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHSSW) at the University of Texas at Austin. At the SHSSW, he serves as Coordinator for Mexico and Latin American initiatives. He also serves as Area Director for Research at the UT Austin Latino Research Institute. Dr. Parra-Cardona’s program of research is focused on the cultural adaptation of evidence-based parenting interventions for low-income Latinx populations in the US and Latin America.
Bianka Reese, PhD, MSPH is a research scientist and program evaluator specializing in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health. Her previous research in the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ+ youth stems from her work as the Research and Evaluation Manager at SHIFT NC (Sexual Initiatives For Teens), where she led largescale evaluations of multilevel, community-based sexual health promotion initiatives and research projects aimed at elevating the voices of diverse youth in North Carolina. Dr. Reese is currently the Senior Research Strategist at Creative Research Solutions, LLC, an award-winning national evaluation, research, and assessment firm.
Tania Connaughton-Espino, MPH is an independent researcher focused on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health. Her interest in the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ+ youth stems from her previous work with SHIFT NC (Sexual Initiatives For Teens), where she led the training and evaluation department, conducted capacity-building workshops for youth serving professionals including on the topic of how to be more affirming of LGBTQ youth, and from her extensive experience working with the Latinx population in NC.
Maru Gonzalez, EdD is an Assistant Professor and Youth Development Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University. Her areas of inquiry include youth development with a focus on activism, social justice, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people across familial, school, and community contexts. 
Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, PhD
Hector Y. Adames, PsyD