If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed or even a bit sad lately, taking some personal time for yourself can do you wonders. Much more than simple beauty routines, self-care is a great way to sit back and regain some energy, be it physical, emotional and even spiritual. Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day. We all must take the time to do things for our well-being. This refreshes and recharges us so that we can feel our best regularly.
When it comes to having true self-care (which is wanting the best for ourselves and for others), the easiest way to do that is to learn how to take care of ourselves first. Real, healing self-care is essential for everyone and is easy to begin practicing if you know where to start.
With regular self-care, our self-awareness is greatly enhanced, and practicing self-care can have remarkable effects on our self-esteem. By taking care of ourselves and our needs, we’re telling ourselves, ‘I deserve this’. And we do.
How to stick to a healthy self-care routine
Self-reflect and identify areas of your life that are in need of attention
Choose self-care habits that you love
Set the right mindset
Get inspired and create your own unique self-care routine
Plan and schedule time for your self-care routine
Stay consistent
Remain flexible, adjust, modify
Measure and track your progress
Acknowledge your achievements
Celebrate your successes
Here are some areas and examples to get you started.
Focus on relaxation Relaxation has a slew of benefits, from stress, tension, and chronic pain reduction to lowering blood pressure and even boosting confidence. Try different kinds of relaxation techniques to find what works for you, such as:
Long, warm bath
Listening to music
Tai chi
Deep breathing
Be social
Connecting with loved ones is crucial to emotional well-being. Get together with friends or co-workers or family on Zoom or FaceTime for a happy hour, or spend quality time with your family or friends in person if it’s possible. It’s important to make sure you’re nurturing your emotional connections.
Take breaks
Burnout is real, whether it’s due to work-related stress or simply not allowing your mind and body to rest properly. That’s why it’s crucial to take breaks. Even a 10-minute walk around the block can help you feel more energized, but for a proper reset, try taking a weekend getaway to unplug or a little staycation.
Record your gratitude
Add a gratitude journal to your self-care night routine. Reminding yourself of your blessings can help you appreciate what you have. In fact, giving thanks can even make you happier. Try writing down a few things you’re grateful for every day, no matter how big or small.
Be specific, like:
I’m so happy about the support my spouse showed me today.
I had an amazing cup of coffee this morning.
I’m grateful for my strong, powerful legs that make it possible for me to work out and get fit.
Laugh daily Studies show laughter can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and even ease pain. Laughter is the best medicine, after all, so make this part of your self-care day routine. Check out comedy specials on Netflix, watch your favorite comedy series, or put on your favorite funny movie.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is so important, with others and with yourself. First, you’ll need to identify what your boundaries are, then identify how you will enforce them. Give yourself permission to say no to others and say yes to your own needs and desires. And most importantly, to learn to understand your feelings.
Physical self-care It is a practice that you should engage in to ensure that your body functions properly, which can be managed by living a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition, physical movement, and sleep are the three major pillars of physical wellness.
Eat a nutritious diet regularly
Engage in regular exercise
Get restful sleep
Stay hydrated
Go outside in the sun
Follow a routine
Organize your space
Treat yourself
The right self-care products can entice you to make time for yourself. Here are some ideas to help you unwind and feel your best:
Swaddle yourself in comfy, luxurious fabrics like cashmere and silk.
DIY face masks are budget-friendly, all-natural skin treats.
Take a long hot bath with your Bath Tea Bag.
Breathe in calming essential oils (like lavender) using a diffuser.
Perform random acts of kindness Small acts of kindness go far, for both you and others. Here are some ideas:
Offer to pick up groceries for an older neighbor.
Leave an extra-large tip on a takeout order.
Let someone pass you in traffic.
Volunteer
Doing good for others is an instant mood-booster. Find a local cause you feel passionate about, whether that be animal rescue, helping kids, environmental aid, etc.
Recommended Books from Andrea Liss, MFS(E) Social Worker
Do Nothing: Break Away From Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headless
Emotional Chaos to Clarity: Move from the Chaos of the Reactive Mind to the Clarity of the Responsive Mind by Phillip Moffitt
Freedom for All of Us: A Monk, A Philosopher, and a Psychiatrist on Finding Inner Peace by Matthieu Ricard, Christophe Andre, and Alexandre Jollien