You might be thinking that self-care is just a trend and not something you need to take seriously. But the opposite of this is true: if you don’t care for yourself, then you can’t properly take care of anything else! Taking care of your physical and mental health will give you more energy, make it easier to sleep at night, improve your relationships with others and boost your mood. In other words, when we take time out for ourselves in order to do things like eat well or exercise or spend time outdoors, we are able to do better work because our minds are clear. It’s not selfish; it’s necessary! Below are some simple examples of what activities fall under the umbrella of self-care:
Exercise
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Exercise is one of the most important ways to practice self-care. It’s not always easy to make time for yourself, but if you make it a priority, you’ll find that your mood improves and that sleep is easier to come by – both factors that will affect your productivity! And remember: just because you’re too busy with work doesn’t mean you can’t find five minutes to put on that new song and dance around the house!
Spend time in nature
Everyone needs some time outside. Even if it’s just walking your dog around the block, get yourself away from the screen and into the world! Go out to a park or hike up a mountain – whatever you choose to do, take advantage of fresh air and sunlight while you can. It will energize you and clear your mind so you can come back to work refreshed.
Get enough sleep
We tend to prioritize school and work, but without proper rest, our bodies won’t be able to function properly – leading to poor health and moodiness. It’s difficult to get enough sleep if your body isn’t used to it or if you work odd hours, but it’s important to practice the discipline of going to bed and waking up at a time that will allow you to rest.
Eat healthy foods
If your body isn’t getting the proper food, you aren’t giving yourself a chance! Eating well will help balance out mood swings and give you energy throughout the day so that you don’t crash around the middle of the afternoon.
Drink water
Water is imperative for our bodies and we all need to drink it every day, no matter what! Even if you don’t like water, work on getting yourself to a point where you can enjoy it because hydration will make your skin glow and help you feel refreshed.
Take a bath or shower
Bathing is an activity that can include lots of different self-care elements. You can light a candle or spray some lavender around the room, get comfy your favorite pajamas ready, and then read a novel while you soak. It’s important to find time for yourself just like this, whether it’s taken once a week or just on weekends if that’s easier to manage!
Take a break
Sometimes we get so caught up with work that we forget to give ourselves a break. Whether it’s time for lunch or an after-dinner stroll, take the moments you need in order to recharge and come back better than ever.
Read a book
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but taking some time out of your day to read a book will help you relax and take your mind off of stress. If it’s not something you do every day, make yourself a goal for how many books you’ll read in a month, year, or even just in one week!
Listen to music
If reading isn’t really your thing, that’s okay too. We all have different preferences and what’s best for one person might not necessarily be best for another. Find something that will meet your needs. Music can also be incredibly relaxing, so put on some tunes and dance away the stress!
Pray or Meditate
Taking time to pray or meditate about our lives can help us get in touch with ourselves so we can make better choices about the direction we’re headed. These sessions help us tune out the noise and hone in on our needs so that we can be true to ourselves.
Self-Reflect
It’s important to take some time every day to think about what you’ve learned, whether it’s something small about yourself or an important lesson. If you don’t take the time to think about your day, you’ll begin to lose sight of where you’re going and what’s important to you.
Go on a date with yourself
Whether it’s lunch at your favorite restaurant or ice cream at the local shop, treat yourself to something special. It doesn’t have to be anything grand, giving yourself little rewards throughout your day will help you know that you’re worth the effort!
Do some Yoga or stretching
Movement isn’t just for our bodies, but our minds as well. Yoga and stretching are great ways to relax those muscles from a long day’s work and let go of any pent-up stress you might have. It’s also a good idea to work out every once in a while! Even if it’s as simple as taking a walk, exercise can help improve your mood and make you feel refreshed.
Sewing or crafts
If you enjoy sewing or doing crafts, this is a great self-care activity to do for yourself! It’s something that will engage all of your senses and keep your hands busy while your mind relaxes. Don’t forget to choose colors that make you happy and surround yourself with items that make you feel comfortable.
Other ways to practice self-care
Self-care is not limited to these examples, though. Your self-care can take any shape that works for you! For example, maybe one of your favorite ways to care for yourself is by going out with friends once a week or taking up a new hobby. Self-care is not one size fits all, so do whatever makes you happiest and most comfortable.
We all need to take time to care for ourselves because this is the only way we can truly be happy. Whether it’s practicing self-care once a month or every day, make sure that you’re taking some time to meet your needs and live your best life.
