In today’s world, we’re always busy. There is always something needing to be done or even someone else that might need taking care of, like an elder or child. If you’re always so focused on getting things done and taking care of others, it can be hard to take the time to properly take care of yourself. However, if you put yourself on the back burner for too long, you’ll find yourself worn out from exhaustion, making it hard to care about anyone or anything.
Self-care is essential – you need to take care of your mind and body every day, not just when you’re feeling ill. Here are some tips for giving your mind, body, and soul the love and attention they need.
1: Drink Water in the Morning
We tend to wake up from the previous night’s sleep a little dehydrated. Start your morning off with some water as soon as you wake up to refresh your body and put yourself in a better mood.
2: Plan Your Meals for the Week
While eating healthy might seem easy enough, sometimes life gets busy, and you feel rushed, leading you to grab some fast food on the way to work or home. Pre-planning your meals can help you eliminate this impulse.
3: Take 5 Minutes to Yourself
Go somewhere quiet and take a few minutes to just breathe and relax. Self-care doesn’t have to be lavish or expensive; it can be as simple as putting your phone down and sitting down with your own thoughts.
4: Start Your Day with Something You Enjoy
Just because you’re adding new rituals to your routine doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyable. Start your morning off with some coffee or even some light stretching.
5: Challenge Your Brain
Take good care of your brain by continuing to challenge it every day. Some ways you can do this include trying a new sport, learning a new language, or simply taking a different route to work in the morning.
6: It’s Okay to Say ‘No’ to Others
For some people, it can be quite hard to say no. Many of us feel obligated to help when someone asks. However, if you’re feeling overworked and stressed, saying yes can lead to anxiety, irritability, and eventually burnout.
While it may take some time and practice, once you get comfortable with politely saying no to people, not only will you have more time for proper self-care, but you’ll also start to feel more empowered.
7: Avoid the Snooze Button
While some people believe that hitting the snooze button can be a gentler way to wake up in the morning, it actually causes sleep to be more disrupted, leaving you feeling sleepier. Sleep experts recommend setting the alarm for the time you want to get up. By doing this repeatedly, your body will eventually learn to start waking up at that time and you will feel less tired as the day goes on.
8: Get Some Sunlight
Make a habit of opening up the blinds in the morning so the sun can shine through. Even just a few minutes of sunlight can boost your vitamin D levels and balance your cortisol (stress) levels.
9: Get Good Sleep
Did you know that 40% of Americans get less than 7 hours of sleep a night? Healthy adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Proper shuteye is crucial – this is the time when your brain and body repair and build upon themselves.
10: Aim to Eat Breakfast Every Morning
While sometimes you might be rushed in the morning and have to eat on the go, you should still aim to sit down and eat breakfast as often as possible. You’ll want to eat foods with protein and carbs so you can stay energized throughout the day. You’ll also want to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day to avoid getting irritable.
11: Get Outside
Spending time outside can provide your mind and body with several benefits – it can lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress, and reduce fatigue. Getting outside for a little while every day can also improve your mindfulness and can help you sleep better at night. So whether you take the dog on a walk, sit out on the beach, or go hiking, you’re taking care of both your mind and body.
12: Regular Exercise
Exercise can help get your heart rate up, which in turn increases hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. These hormones improve your mood and reduce pain. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym every day either. Just spending 30 minutes working out, 3-4 days a week, can meet your needs.
If you’re looking for a workout that can boost your self-esteem and help you get fit, why not check out Karate?
13: Keep a Positivity Journal
No matter how bad your day has been, there is always something to be grateful for – whether it be the car that gets you to work each day or the roof over your head. Put things into perspective by focusing on what you’re grateful for, rather than putting emphasis on the things that are stressing you out.
Self-care is crucial to your overall well-being. Add some of these practices to your daily routine, and don’t forget to take some quiet time to yourself to unplug and unwind. Self-care can help keep you happy and healthy, so don’t neglect it!
