Love Yourself - Five Tips for Implementing Self-Care

Work, hobbies, friends, family… life can be a little overwhelming sometimes. As humans, we tend to put others first and that can translate into burnout and fatigue in our own lives.

There are many reasons why we may neglect our own self-care, but it is essential to stop and realize that sometimes it’s important to put yourself first. This might mean saying no to an undesired social or work event, hitting the gym instead of the couch, meditating, or even just getting a full eight hours of sleep.

A little self-care goes a long way towards living a happy, stress-free and fulfilling life. Here are five tips to help you easily incorporate some positive habits in your daily routine.

Move baby, move!

Although it may be hard to peel yourself off the sofa, getting some physical activity will do wonders for your mind and your body. Our body needs to be physical in order to survive, so plan to get some sort of physical activity in at least three times a week. That could be anything from a yoga class with your bestie, an hour walk with your dog, or a 6 a.m. bootcamp class.

Not only does exercise help with giving generating more energy and a strong body, it also decreases stress, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as facilitates relaxation and improved sleep. Oh, and let’s not forget that it also improves your self-confidence.

Cut the junk

Okay, we all like to treat ourselves every once in a while, but try to prioritize something nutritional and healthy, and make sure you’re getting the proper amount of food throughout the day to sustain you. No time to make lunch in the morning? We recommend you choose a day to meal prep your food for the week so you can control what you’re eating and how much of it you’re consuming.

We’ve all been there, you’re in a rush in the morning so you hit the drive-thru at lunch. Save those dollars and grocery shop on the weekend to make your food for the week. Not only will you eat healthier (which will do wonders for your mind and body), but meal prepping allows you try new recipes, control what you’re putting in your food, and save some of those hard-earned dollars.

Be thankful

As humans, we tend to be very hard on ourselves. Stop sweating the small stuff and start loving yourself. Invest in a happiness planner or gratitude journal and write down three things you are grateful for every morning or night. That could be anything from having a loving family or the ability to go on vacation, or even simple things like the ability to walk and move.

Stop commenting on things you wish you could change about yourself and start focusing on the things you have and are thankful for. It’ll do wonders for your mental wellbeing and will help you see the world as a more positive place.

Catch some Z’s

Sleep schedule way off? It’s recommended that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night to function at their best during the day. Getting six hours or less? Sleep deprivation can take a toll on your mood, energy, and mental well-being, so it’s important to adjust your schedule accordingly to make sure that you’re getting those optimum health benefits. While you’re sleeping, your body is rebuilding those muscles that you used during the day and preparing the brain for tomorrow.

Having trouble falling asleep? Ditch the digital device for a book instead. A 2009 study from the University of Sussex showed that six minutes of reading can reduce stress by 68 per cent. So why does this work? Well, it’s easier on the eyes (compared to a smart phone or tablet), and it also helps your brain concentrate on something else other than your own daily stressors, which clears your mind and helps you fall asleep.

Don’t have a good book? Try a meditation app instead. There are many available from the Google Play and Apple App Store (both free and paid) that will help you drift off to sleep while being guided on a meditative journey.

The above are just a few ideas for how to increase your own self-care. If you are feeling overwhelmed and would like some help balancing your life and increasing self-care, we invite you to contact our office.