Self-Care & Mental Wellness: Raman Hari On The Top Five Self-Care Practices That Improve Mental Wellness

An Interview With Maria Angelova

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Mindful Moments — We all need to remember the importance of mindful moments. Whether it’s a quiet break in the office to drink some juice and focus on your breathing, or a slow walk in nature, a mindful pause inevitably reduces our stress and anxiety levels in this fast paced world. I’ve also found my clients saying that the answers they’re looking for in their work or personal life often reveal themselves when they take a break.

Let’s face it. It seems that everyone is under a great deal of stress these days. This takes a toll on our mental wellness. What are some of the best self-care practices that we can use to help improve our mental wellness and mental well-being? In this interview series, we are talking to medical doctors, mental health professionals, health and wellness professionals, and experts about self-care or mental health who can share insights from their experience about How Each Of Us Can Use Self Care To Improve Our Mental Wellness. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Raman Hari.

Raman Hari works as an Intuitive Coach, which combines the modalities of Intuition and Life Coaching. She has reached over one million people through her inspiring social media content, and has been coaching clients through workshops and 1:1 sessions centered around healing anxiety & stress, creating a baseline of profound peace, and living a purpose-driven life. Raman is passionate about healing on a subconscious level and remembering the interconnectedness of the mind, body and spirit.

To learn more about her signature 1:1 coaching program and book a discovery call, you can visit her website ramanhari.com.

Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. It is a great honor. Our readers would love to learn more about you and your personal background. Can you please share your personal story? What has brought you to this point in your life?

It’s a pleasure to be interviewed again. There were many moments of my life that brought me to this point of working as an Intuitive Life Coach. I initially sought out coaching for myself because I was struggling with anxiety which led to having anxiety attacks. I was recommended to see a specific Intuitive Coach, and I thought I’d try it out. When I received my first coaching session, I felt deeply seen and understood. I started to see the different thought patterns I was having that were leading me to live in a very anxious state of being. It was the first time I really became aware of my deeper thoughts and emotions. From the experiences of my childhood that led me to having certain core beliefs, to the emotions that I was returning back to daily, I started to see things very clearly and I started to actually heal. I eventually took an intuitive coach training so that I could have the tools of coaching for myself, but quickly realized how impactful these tools were for my practice clients. I decided to continue coaching, and haven’t looked back since!

What is your “WHY” behind what you do? What fuels you?

My reason behind working as an Intuitive Coach is that I experience a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in guiding and witnessing people’s healing journeys. To this day, I am touched when I watch a client have a breakthrough or realize a pattern they’ve been repeating. Guiding people to go from confused and stuck to clear and empowered is one of the most purposeful things I could do in my life. The connection that is created with my clients is beautiful and sacred, and I feel deeply called to doing this work. My clients will often say they felt drawn to work with me. In a strange way, it feels like a beautiful exchange of something that was already destined to happen.

Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake or failure which you now appreciate has taught you a valuable lesson?

In my belief, mistakes are just learning opportunities, and they are a very important part of our growth. Early on in my coaching practice, I coached a client who was experiencing a lot of anxiety and was dating someone new. When my intuition nudged me very intensely that the client “needed to be alone right now”, I didn’t voice it. I didn’t want to let her down. Session after session, I noticed that nothing was really changing and the client wasn’t healing. I realized that the person she was dating was creating more havoc in her life.

To this day, I look back and see that she wasn’t healing because I was too afraid to voice what my intuition was saying. If I voiced it, she probably would have agreed, because all of our intuitive voices are connected. Ever since having that experience, I’ve realized my immense responsibility as an Intuitive Coach to actually voice what my intuition is saying. Sometimes, it will say things that feel really “far off”, but it is almost always correct. Intuition is something we all have, and the more we ignore it, the more we learn that it was right all along. It was a great lesson to learn — not just for my work — but for my personal life as well.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Curiosity — To say I’ve never wanted to quit my purposeful career would be a lie. I’ve gone through my own ups and downs with having an intuitive coaching business. What I’ve learned is that my work will only grow as much as I’m willing to grow. So whenever I’m facing a challenge in my business, I see it as an opportunity to get curious about what’s going on within myself. If I’m feeling uninspired or stuck, I always go within first. Curiosity about my inner world and how it’s affecting my outer reality is the reason why I’ve been able to get unstuck over and over again, and continue to show up.

Humor — The people in my life will know that I won’t go a day without laughing or giggling about something. No matter what’s going on in my life — even the most painful things — I will surely make a joke about it. I don’t think humor is a coping mechanism or a surface level quality. I see it as a foundational state of mind that allows us to have fun and not be caught up in the rigid seriousness of life. Laugh a little!

Intuition — For every question, there is an answer. The answer already exists within us. This is why intuition is one of the main decision-making tools for my life, clients, and work. When my mind tells me to “keep going, never stop”, my intuition tells me to rest. When my mind tells me I’m not “strong enough”, my inner voice tells me I’ve never been stronger. Our intuition connects us to our soul. Our soul is connected to the universal energy that is here to support and guide us. Without my intuition, I would be burnt out and resentful. This is why it’s the most instrumental tool for my life!

What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now? How do you think that will help people?

I just finished revamping my signature coaching program called Beyond Anxiety. It is a 1:1 coaching journey that lasts for 90 days and is created to replace anxiety for inner power and profound peace so that my clients can live their purpose. We go through a six step process to create this transformation: Clarity, Mindset, Alignment, Intuition, Authenticity and Purpose. I’m excited for this program because it’s a sacred 1:1 experience where people get to experience what it’s like to live from a baseline of profound peace. The clients that have already been through the program have expressed great results, saying “I rebuilt a safer and stronger relationship with myself. I felt more trusting of my own voice. I felt less anxious in my daily life and I was ready to take on more goals in my life with clear intention and direction.” There’s something really special about the 1 on 1 guidance that clients receive. They become stronger, more radiant, and more at peace. And not to mention, they inspire and impact the people around them, just by the new energy they bring to every situation.

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, about the interface between self-care and mental health. From where you stand personally or professionally, why are you so passionate about mental well-being?

I’m passionate about mental well-being because I believe the greatest struggle that people are facing nowadays is the inner war that is happening in their minds. We have all experienced the nagging, uncomfortable, hypercritical voice that exists in our head. This is a common human experience! And yet, it was something that our parents, authority figures and schools never taught us how to navigate, because no one was taught before them. This is an extremely important aspect of our overall well-being that is not to be discarded or avoided. The ability to be well in our mind is something that will impact our quality of life every single day.

Based on your research or experience, how exactly does self-care impact our mental wellness?

Self-care significantly impacts our mental wellness. When we add mindful moments to our day to day lives, we reduce stress and regulate our inner world so that we can be more resilient. Taking part in practices that put us in a state of flow or inspiration ultimately enhance our mood and create a feeling of overall wellness in our mind and body. When we feel uplifted in this way, we can be more confident, at peace, and fuelled to live a life that is in alignment with our core values. Not to mention increased productivity and focus! When we take good care of ourselves, and practice a healthy balance between our personal and professional life, we’re preventing ourselves from the experience of burnout, and ultimately creating a higher quality of life.

Here is our primary question. Can you please share your “Top Five Self-care Practices That Each Of Us Can Use To Improve Our Mental Wellness”?

Mindful Moments — We all need to remember the importance of mindful moments. Whether it’s a quiet break in the office to drink some juice and focus on your breathing, or a slow walk in nature, a mindful pause inevitably reduces our stress and anxiety levels in this fast paced world. I’ve also found my clients saying that the answers they’re looking for in their work or personal life often reveal themselves when they take a break.

Flow Activities — These are the activities that take you beyond time. You are so engaged that you don’t even realize the hours that pass by. For some it’s writing poetry, painting or reading a good book. For others, it’s baking biscotti or cooking a delicious meal. Whatever it is for you, getting into a state of flow will elevate your mood and overall well-being.

Getting Inspired — Watching an inspiring movie, video podcast or documentary. This can be something more practical or even fun like a Disney movie. The media that inspires you often gives you a message or lesson that you need to hear. Allowing ourselves to learn through the things we love is a really beautiful way of taking care of our mental well-being.

Having Fun with Movement — We often think of exercise as this robotic thing we must do to stay fit, but it can be way more exciting than that. For some, taking a yin yoga class scratches that itch, and for others, tap dancing or pole dancing classes add a fun twist to exercise. It doesn’t have to be complicated to get moving. Dancing around your house with your favorite music on is a great way of boosting your mood and allowing any energy or emotions to move through you. I also find that when we make movement fun, it adds a certain confidence and pep in our step.

Nurturing Your Social Connections — When our mental well-being is not at its most optimal state, it’s easy to neglect our social connections. In a world that prioritizes time online, it can be life changing to see our friends and loved ones in person. You can go for a nature walk or coffee with a friend or you can make your social connections more fun by checking out new events together like stand up comedy or a musical theater show. The people in our life can instantly uplift our energy and mood!

Can you please share a few of the main roadblocks that prevent people from making better self-care choices? What would you suggest can be done to overcome those roadblocks?

Oftentimes, people will say they don’t have the time, energy or money to engage in self-care, however it comes down to one thing: giving yourself permission. Most people feel that in order to take care of themselves, they have to “do” something to deserve it first. Once they “finally make x amount of money” or “get a promotion”, then they can relax. This mentality will constantly keep us chasing an object of success, just to leave self-care on the backburner.

Give. Yourself. Permission. My suggestion is to add one or two self-care practices to your life that would positively impact you. You don’t have to do everything all at once — that actually sounds like the opposite of self-care! Choose one or two small things that excite you. Perhaps you go on a nature walk this week and allow yourself to breathe and relax amongst the trees. Start with one small thing, and then keep making these micro-decisions that will have a macro-level effect on your life.

In one sentence, what would you say to someone who doesn’t prioritize their mental well-being?

I know you’re busy and I know you get tired, but I promise you that your well-being is the most precious currency you own: take care of yourself and watch your life expand.

Thank you for all that great insight! Let’s start wrapping up. Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does this quote resonate with you so much?

My favorite life lesson quote is Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” This quote has resonated with me since I was in high school. I find that when we’re going through challenging times with our mental health, most people have the tendency to berate themselves for how they are feeling. This quote reminds us that when we are going through a darker time, it is important to bring light to it. When your inner world feels dark, shine the light of self-compassion onto it — you may even notice some of that darkness start to lift.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? They might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)

Gabrielle (Gabby) Bernstein. I love the profound impact she has had on so many including myself. She oozes spiritual connection & inner power and I just love how playful she is!

I truly appreciate your time and valuable contribution. One last question. How can our readers best reach or follow you?

The best way for your readers to follow me online is at ramanhari.com. If you’re interested in working with me or joining my Beyond Anxiety 1:1 coaching program, you can book a Discovery Call with me on my website. We can chat about the different offers I have available and how I can support you specifically. You can also follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more regular content and updates!

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.

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Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine

Published in Authority Magazine

In-depth Interviews with Authorities in Business, Pop Culture, Wellness, Social Impact, and Tech. We use interviews to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.

Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.
Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.

Written by Maria Angelova, CEO of Rebellious Intl.

Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl.

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