In our previous post, Getting Started with Self-Care, we explored the purpose and benefits of self-care. Now it’s time to learn a few practical self-care tips!
Self-care activities will vary for everyone because we all need different things to feel healthy and at peace. Below are universal suggestions to help you get started.
10 Self-Care Tips
- Don’t enjoy today at the expense of tomorrow. A true self-care technique is one that you won’t regret. So if spending gobs of cash will leave you with buyer’s remorse later on, stick to yo budget and find something else to do.
- Consider what you need physically, mentally, and emotionally. Identify healthy activities that help you meet those needs. For example, if you’re exhausted, you need rest. A self-care act may include skipping a non-essential task (like the laundry) to go to bed early
- Disconnect from electronic screens and mobile devices. Hunching over devices strains the neck, shoulders, and back. This leads to poor digestion, restricted breath, and physical pain–not at all relaxing! During your self-care times, allow your muscles and nerves to relax.
- Disconnect from the social media, the news, and even television shows if they:
- cause you to compare yourself to others
- incite worry about events and people that are beyond your immediate control
- encourage contention or strife
- inhibit your sense of relaxation, peace, and satisfaction
- Stop working after the workday has ended. Nothing ruins a self-care session like work-related woes. Create work-life balance by designating quiet times at home.
- Get outside or in views of nature. There are demonstrable benefits to being in nature. A study published by the National Institute of Health reveals that time in nature strengthens the connection between our minds and our bodies systems: nervous, respiratory, digestive, and muscular. A separate study indicates that spending time in nature reduces our risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and other serious ailments. Simply viewing greenery can be beneficial! Integrate greenery and natural elements to your self-care practice.
- Use natural tools to promote wellbeing. If you’re going to integrate products into your practice, opt for natural products that from free of harmful chemicals. Natural tools can be time-tested remedies have a way of connecting us with the ancient wisdom of our predecessors. For example, you may consider using Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils during your massage instead of an oil with synthetic fragrance.
- Approach each self-care session with gratitude. Give gratitude for what you have and what your body and mind can do. This simple practice fends off dissatisfaction, negative self-talk, and other distractions.
- Breathe deeply. Deep breaths encourage our parasympathetic nervous system to take over. This system is responsible for rest and cellular rejuvenation. Breathe deeply but comfortably.
- Get support when needed. You may find it difficult to practice self-care if you are battling mental illness, grief, or other serious preoccupations. Consider getting the help of a therapist or group support. If you have difficulty creating a consistent routine, an accountability partner may help your solidify a practice of self-love.
