Use Leap Day’s extra time to change your life for good

Once every four years, we get a bonus day on February 29. Don’t make the mistake of letting Leap Day pass you by. Learn how to use this rare extra time as a springboard to personal change, turning a single day’s action into lifelong habits.

The Leap Day mindset: Embracing the extra day

If you struggle with making time for yourself, set aside this day for self-growth activities. An extra 24 hours can make all the difference with the right mindset. By viewing Leap Day as a chance for a mini-reboot, you’re setting the foundation for transformational change.

Taking opportunities to make changes builds new neural pathways, which helps protect cognitive function. Reflect on your goals, struggles and needs through purposeful activities like journaling, meditation or booking a session with a therapist. With how busy life gets, it can be a rare opportunity to get the time to sit with yourself and check in on how you’re doing. That’s all the reason to leverage Leap Day as a launchpad for personal development.

“If you don’t take out time to focus on your own enrichment, sit with yourself and begin to tune into your inner voice, this can get harder and harder to do over time, ” says Julia L. Pressman, LCSW.

Small leaps, big gains: Micro-changes with macro impact

The idea of change can be daunting, but it doesn’t always have to be drastic. Start implementing small, manageable changes on Leap Day, like eating a healthy breakfast or taking a 15-minute walk after lunch.

Don’t underestimate the power of micro-changes, as they can lead to significant, positive shifts in your life. By taking that brisk walk on Leap Day, you may find that it’s something you enjoy and can easily incorporate into your routine. That one small change will slowly become a habit that promotes a healthier lifestyle.

“Over time, micro-changes increase our perception of what choices are available to us,” Pressman says. “When we try to do things differently than we typically do them, we learn more about ourselves and what works for us.”

Leap of faith: Trying something new

Have you ever saved a new recipe or fitness class, promising yourself that you’ll get to it one day? As a wild card in the calendar year, there is no better day than Leap Day to step out of your comfort zone and finally try that thing you’ve been putting off.

Who knows, trying out that honey cake recipe might end up with you falling in love with baking and creating a side hustle. That’s what happened to former U.S. national volleyball player, Tui Tuileta during the pandemic. Tuileta used his free time to bake cookies and post his creations on social media. It quickly picked up and led him to fulfill orders locally, baking 400 cookies weekly from his parents’ oven. Attempting new things spices up your routine and can lead to unexpected opportunities – you never know if you don’t try.

The joy of the moment: Celebrating the day

The rare occasion of having 366 days in the year calls for a celebration. Make this a special day by hosting a Leap Day-themed party. That way, you’ll make special memories to last until the next Leap Year.

As part of the celebration, indulge in festive foods. Make it a potluck so your friends and families can share foods they love, filling your dinner table with a variety of options like party favorite samosas – a flaky Indian pastry with potato filling.

Connecting the dots: Building relationships

Leap Day offers 24 extra hours to spend with your loved ones. Take the time to write heartfelt letters expressing your appreciation for people in your life or plan a family cooking activity. Tanghulu, a traditional Chinese candied fruit street food, is an easy, delicious and fun snack to make with kids.

It’s important to prioritize relationships as they are critical to personal development. They are a source of support during difficult times and help improve self-esteem and general well-being. Plus, a little appreciation goes a long way. Expressing gratitude releases oxytocin, the love hormone that strengthens the bond between two people.

Paying it forward: Kindness and community

Extend the spirit of Leap Day into the community by performing acts of kindness. Volunteer at a local food bank or spend the day decluttering your closet to donate items you’ve outgrown. Volunteering helps out the community and benefits your mental health by encouraging you to meet new people, increasing your social skills and boosting your self-confidence. Research, including a study by Western Connecticut State University, has shown that the more people volunteer, the happier they are.

A day for creativity: Unleashing your inner artist

Engaging in artistic pursuits comes with several therapeutic benefits that you may be unaware of. According to PhD psychologist Dr. Brenner, tapping into your creativity can reduce stress and anxiety and even boost your immune system. Dr. Brenner also explains that once you’re in a creative flow, the brain releases large amounts of happy chemicals like dopamine, endorphins and serotonin.

Whether it’s painting, writing or knitting, dedicate some time on Leap Day for these artistic pursuits you usually don’t have time for. There’s no pressure to create a masterpiece, just get started and let your creativity flow for your mental well-being.

Leap Day resolutions: Setting goals with a twist

You may have already set New Year’s resolutions, but Leap Day resolutions are different. Given the rarity of a Leap year, it’s an opportunity to create goals that are a bit more farfetched than your typical New Year’s resolutions. Want to conquer your fears and go skydiving? Or, for a less extreme idea, why not challenge yourself to perform random acts of kindness every day? Setting these out-of-the-box goals will help you get out of a mundane routine and fully experience the joys of life.

It’s one thing to set goals and another to execute them. Decide on a timeline for when you want to achieve each resolution and set actionable steps to make it happen. The best motivator is setting meaningful goals that will bring self-fulfillment.

The culmination: Making Leap Day last

End Leap Day on a high note by reflecting on how you spent this rare bonus day with intention and purpose. It’s a unique opportunity to make a significant change in your routine or simply enjoy an extra day of life’s pleasures, indulging in hobbies or activities you normally don’t have time for. Keep the positive momentum going and use Leap Day as a springboard to leap forward into the year with renewed energy and purpose.

Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the bestselling Campfire Cuisine, Ramen Obsession, and Ramen for Beginners. A food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer, she is the creator of the food blog All Ways Delicious, where she shares easy recipes for the best dishes from around the world.

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