Self care and wellness
Introduction
While we all know staying healthy and taking care of ourselves, as well as our loved ones, is a must, it can’t be denied that self-care is also important to keep us sane and energized! The good news is, it does not take much effort to practice self-care! Here’s some quick tips on how you can make the most out of your free time and practice self-care in no time at all with these simple tips!
Tidy Something
Whether it's your desk drawer, closet, or living room floor, a little bit of tidying can go a long way in helping you feel like you have more energy and space to relax. Sometimes it's easy to forget that we need to take care of ourselves, but taking time to tend to the things around us is just as important as nourishing our bodies with good food or getting enough sleep.
Stretch
Stretching is a great way to get your blood flowing, relieve tension and stress, improve circulation and ease muscle aches and pains.
Stretching can be done virtually anywhere. You can do it at home or at the office. Find a comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed for a few minutes - maybe in front of your TV or near a window with natural light flowing through it.
Make a Checklist
Make a checklist. Write down the things you need to do, the things you want to do, the things you have done, and anything else that's on your mind. Seeing all these things in one place can help you feel more organized and less stressed out about your day-to-day life.
Light a Candle
Light a candle and sit down to reflect on your day. Taking time to acknowledge the positive moments of your day will help you appreciate the good in life, which can keep you happy. Take a few deep breaths and relax, try to clear your mind of all the thoughts that are racing through it. Relax and enjoy the moment! Think about what you are grateful for in this moment.
Breathe Deeply
Breathing exercises are one of the most effective ways to relax and focus, and they’re also good for calming yourself down or falling asleep. If you find yourself in a high-stress situation, try taking five deep breaths. It will help you calm down and think clearly.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, try this trick: close your eyes and breathe deeply through your nose. Imagine that each breath is carrying away all of the tension in your body with it as it leaves through your mouth. Repeat this process until you fall asleep!
Shower or Bath
You should take a shower or bath. Showers are good for your skin and keeping you clean, but baths are better. (If you have a bathtub). A warm bath soothes the body and mind and helps you relax after a busy day. It's also nice to end the day with a soak in the tub, especially if it's something that helps you unwind from all the stress of work or school.
Drink Water
Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. Not only does it help you stay hydrated, but it also helps with so many other aspects of wellness. Here are just a few ways that drinking water can benefit you:
Weight loss: Drinking water keeps your body from being dehydrated and makes you feel fuller, which can keep you from overeating or craving unhealthy snacks.
Improved skin: When we don’t drink enough water our skin loses moisture and becomes dry and dull-looking, leading to wrinkles and fine lines over time.
Improved mood & energy levels: Dehydration causes fatigue and irritability because the brain needs adequate blood flow in order to function well; if we don't have enough blood flow then cognitive functions like memory may decline over time as well (not good!). This lack of energy also leads us toward unhealthier foods such as soda or candy bars instead since they give us quick boosts without having any real nutritional value--but once again this just makes us feel worse later on because everything else was empty calories too! So instead try some fruit slices sprinkled with cinnamon sugar instead :) You'll feel better AND look prettier ;)
Do a Facial Self Massage
To do a facial self massage, you'll need:
A clean hand towel or washcloth to wipe the oil off after you're done massaging.
A small amount of natural oil (such as olive or almond oil) in one hand and a few drops of water on the other. You can also try mixing with aloe vera juice or honey, but make sure to test it first: there is no need for harsh chemicals on your face!
Meditate. Nap
Meditation is a great way to calm your mind, reduce stress and sleep better.
If you're new to meditation, start by finding a quiet place for about 10 minutes every day. Sit with your legs crossed or in a chair with your back straight but relaxed. Close your eyes, take deep breaths through the nose and exhale fully through the mouth until there's no air left in your lungs. Repeat this process for five minutes each day until it feels like second nature—then continue doing it as often as possible!
If this seems too difficult or time-consuming at first, try meditating while riding in public transportation or walking around town on errands (just make sure not to get distracted by other people). Even short spurts of mindfulness can help improve mental clarity throughout the day -- plus they'll help keep those pesky ruminating thoughts from infiltrating into every waking moment!
Read
There are so many great benefits to reading. Reading improves memory, reduces stress, builds self-esteem, and allows an individual to develop or improve skills. In fact, one 2009 study by Sussex University researchers showed that reading may reduce stress by as much as 68%.
Read an article from an inspiring website like positivelypresent or Mindful. This will give your mind something positive to focus on instead of negative thoughts which could lead to stress and depression if left unchecked over time.
Conclusion
If you struggle with self-care, remember that it’s okay. We all do sometimes. But there are a lot of ways to practice self-care and take care of yourself—and starting with these easy tips is a great way to get started!
““Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.””
““Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” ”
““Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions.””
““Be you, love you. All ways, always.””
““As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, it is perhaps more important to have a plan for rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep.””
“How to heal:
Read Books
Listen to Jazz
Ride Motorbikes
Get Tattooed”
