How many of us are taking the time we need to take care of ourselves? Did you know practicing self-care is one of the top tools for peak performance and high happiness levels at work?
The world can be stressful, especially when you struggle with mental health issues. Self-care is any activity that helps you take care of yourself and check in with your body, your emotions, and your spiritual needs with the goal of helping you feel better both physically and mentally.
Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all activity. Everyone is different and relies on a variety of activities that make them feel good. However, if you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some of the best ways to practice self-care.
Practicing self-care means taking care of yourself at a deeper level, in a way that is healing, nurturing, and supportive of your mental health. It isn’t always easy. It requires you to put your needs first for once when everyone around you is pressuring you to do things differently.
But here are ten ways you can take care of yourself—for real this time:
10 Brilliant Ways To Start Putting Yourself First
1. Meditate for Self Care
Meditating allows you to feel more relaxed and also helps you clear your mind of anything that might be bothering you. It will help ease your stress levels and help you sleep better at night.
Meditate for 10 minutes each day to slow down and make time for yourself without distractions or obligations. You can even use guided meditations that are online for free, so there’s no excuse not to do this! If you want to give meditation a try, plenty of free guided meditation is available here.
2. Eat Mindful and Healthy Food
Eating healthy food is a great way to take care of your body and mind! If you’re unsure what constitutes “healthy” food (or don’t know what to do with all the healthy ingredients that fill your fridge), I highly recommend you spend a little bit of time getting to know them, your mind and body will thank you for it!
3. Take Time for Yourself Daily
Take some time to do something you love. This can be something as simple as taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or going for a walk outside. When you’re feeling good, it’s easier to show compassion and kindness towards others.
4. Explore Your Inner Child
While it’s fine to spend most of your time focusing on the adult in you, you shouldn’t forget about your inner child. It’s essential to allow yourself to have fun occasionally and not take life so seriously.
Connect with your inner child and do something your inner child dreams! You can play games, watch cartoons, or get crafty. Another fun way to honor your inner child is to buy yourself something you always wanted but never got as a child – it could be a new dress, a toy, a piece of jewelry.
5. Allow Yourself to Take Self-Care Breaks
Taking a break is essential to staying productive. You’ll avoid burnout and feel refreshed and ready to get back to work.
If it’s hard for you to remember to pause throughout the day, set reminders on your calendar or phone that will notify you of break time. Take a few minutes to step away from your desk, technology, and your busy to-do list.
6. Learn to When to Say “No” or “Yes”
Saying “no” is a learned skill and it’s not always easy. Allowing yourself to turn down opportunities or favors for others can help you have more time for yourself and even, make you a happier person. We all need to get better as saying “No” to others.
However, you also get to say “YES” to ourselves first.
If it feels challenging to put your needs or desires first, start small. Say “YES” to something small but essential, like taking an extra couple of minutes to breathe by yourself in the shower. Then, build on that and start saying “YES” more often, like taking yourself to a solo coffee date before your yoga class.
You will get better at it over time until one day you realize that “YES is the most straightforward word to say 🙂
7. Spend Time with Friends and Family
It’s essential to spend time with the people who love and support you. Not only will this make you feel good, but it can also alleviate some stress and make you want to return the favor by caring for them!
8. Express Gratitude for One Thing in Your Life Each Day
Try to express gratitude for one thing in your life each day. Whether it’s your job or the food on your table, being grateful for what we have is an integral part of being happy with our lives. Start by listing five things you’re thankful for each day, then add more as they occur to you throughout the day.
9. Create a Self-care Kit
Keeping a self-care kit in your bag is a great way to give yourself a bit of love when you need it the most. You can fill this with anything that brings you joy, such as your favorite essential oil, a crystal that you love, and some yummy chocolate just in case.
Everyone needs some time to take care of themselves, and sometimes that means getting lost in a good book and a cup of tea or sitting down with your favorite TV show or movie.
Instead of forcing yourself to do what you know is good for you, make it easy on yourself by creating a self-care kit. Put together some healthy snacks, your favorite tea or hot chocolate, your fave skincare routine, powerful self-care affirmations, your book of choice, and anything else you need to relax and decompress. You can even throw in some bubbles for a little extra fun!
What would be in your Self Care Kit?
10. Add Exercise as a Part of your Self-care Routine
Exercise is an obvious choice when it comes to self-care. It releases endorphins that make you feel happier, help you sleep better, and improve your overall health! What’s not to love?
If you’re not into going to the gym or getting sweaty, then try some yoga or pilates classes instead – they are much easier on joints than conventional exercise routines.
You are a work in progress. Every single one of us is!
If you’re serious about making yourself a priority and putting yourself first, then you have to give yourself room to take care of yourself. It honestly can make the difference between happiness and anxiety, sadness and joy. Take care of your mind, body, heart, and soul by utilizing some of these brilliant self-care tips.
Whether it’s a minute or a day, take some time to put yourself first. You deserve it!
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