Self Care Ideas
" You are worth finding; worth knowing; worth loving- You and all your one million layers. Make yourself a priority"
Hi Friend!
As we discussed in the previous blog, most of our day is spent on other tasks and managing our hectic schedules. Our everyday obligations cause us to get so consumed that we forget to take care of ourselves, which has an adverse effect on our productivity and health. And here is where doing simple self-care tasks comes in handy. It may seem a little overwhelming and unnecessary to engage in self-care rituals like bubble baths and manicures if you have never done so before. Although these pursuits are still regarded as self-care, self-care encompasses much more.
The Tenants Of Self-Care Include:
Courage; Trust; Resilience; Growth; Forgiveness; Empathy; GRADITUDE; Nourishment; Truth; Mindful Awareness; Emotional Intelligence; and CONNECTION
Ways to Practice Self-Care:
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress.
Deep breathing exercises: Engage in deep breathing techniques to lower stress and improve focus.
Yoga or Pilates: These practices offer physical and mental benefits, improving flexibility and reducing anxiety.
Stretching: Stretching exercises on a regular basis will keep your muscles flexible and healthy.
Physical Health
Regular exercise: Engage in activities you enjoy, like walking, running, swimming, or dancing.
Balanced diet: Eat nutritious foods to fuel your body and mind.
Sufficient sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. And make your bed every morning,
Social and Emotional Well-being
Spend time with loved ones: Connect with friends and family to strengthen relationships.
Pursue hobbies: Engage in activities you enjoy to boost your mood and sense of fulfillment.
Limit screen time: Reduce exposure to electronic devices to promote better sleep and mental health.
Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist about your feelings.
Spiritual Growth
Practice GRADITUDE: Focus on the positive aspects of your life. Practicing graditude exercises is an integral part of psychological self-care. It also boosts your physical well-being and enhances the quality of your sleep. Gratitude activities include maintaining a graditude journal or a jar, saying a prayer, writing thank you notes, practicing positive self-talk and affirmations, etc.
Spend time in nature: Connect with the natural world to find peace and tranquility.
Engage in spiritual practices: Explore activities like prayer, meditation, or reading inspirational literature.
Additional self-care ideas
Look Good, Feel Good: Dress up!! Yes, you read that right. Style your outfit, apply some makeup, fix your hair, and put on a nice pair of shoes. This little gesture can make you feel a world of difference. It lures your brain by tweaking your posture and making you feel beautiful. So, make an effort to look good so that you can feel good! Also when you're staying at home, changing into nice and clean clothes would have the same effect.
Practice Mindful Eating: You must regularly consume a well-balanced meal in order to get your body the right nutrients. Eat more of what your body needs instead of what it wants! Junk food consumption increases your risk of developing a variety of illnesses. Additionally, if you skip breakfast, you'll be more prone to eat unhealthy snacks later in the day.
Take Frequent Breaks: If you work, consider stepping away from your desk for a few minutes once in a while. This brief pause will allow you to unwind and rejuvenate. Perhaps go for a little walk or stretch. In fact, you can set reminders to take physical and mental breaks throughout the day.
Look After Your Skin: Allow yourself to be pampered when it comes to your skin. Taking care of your skin is just as essential as taking care of the rest of your body. Treat yourself to a facial every once in a while or do an at home facial.
Get a Power Nap: If your schedule allows, after the first half of your day, take a power nap. A 20-minute snooze will help you recharge your energy and increase your productivity. It will help you in concentrating more effectively.
Enjoy a Hot Cup of Tea: Drinking tea can help you reduce your daily stress. It can naturally support you in living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, merely holding a hot cup of tea in your hand may bring you comfort.
Take a Walk after Eating: After you've finished your meal, take a peaceful walk in the park or around the neighborhood. Perhaps during your lunch break at work or after dinner, depending on your schedule. It's yet another way to spend some time in nature while still getting some exercise.
Enjoy Your Favorite Music Playlist (or Podcast): Blast your favorite tunes in the car, on a walk, or jam at home. Same with your favorite podcasts. Put your ear buds in and listen in the mist of your travels. Now a days, you can watch almost all podcasts on YouTube. Listen to things you enjoy!
Practice Positive Thinking: Repeating affirmations or mantras is an excellent method to include a positive thinking activity into your daily routine. Another approach to deal with negativity is to avoid negative self-talk - as it makes you feel terrible about yourself. Instead, learn to practice self-talk daily.
Read a Book: Reading is a terrific means to both educate oneself and escape to another world. So go find yourself a fabulous book to read and try to devote 30 minutes daily.
Brain Dump Exercise: Brain dumping is a really cool journaling technique for clearing your mind and releasing thoughts. Simply scribble down anything that comes to your mind in a journal or on a worksheet. As long as it makes you feel better, there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Remember, self-care is personal. Experiment with the different suggested activities to find what works best for you.
What is one self-care practice you can try today?
XO Jenna
