Self care is a popular buzzword these days, with an emphasis on the glamorous aspects of self care such as spa days, baths, and face masks. But what about those less glamorous forms of self care? Those everyday habits that help us feel nourished and taken care of? Read on for six self-care habits you can incorporate into your everyday life.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your physical and mental health. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night in order to ensure you’re well rested and ready to tackle the day ahead. Creating a pre-bedtime routine—like reading a book or brushing your teeth—will help signal to your body that it’s time to rest.
Eat Nutritious Meals
Eating nutritious meals is one of the best ways to take care of yourself—both physically and mentally. Eating balanced meals helps keep your energy levels up and provides essential nutrients that help keep your body healthy. Plus, cooking meals from scratch gives you a sense of accomplishment! If cooking isn’t your thing, there are plenty of meal delivery services that make it easy to get wholesome, delicious food without having to do all the work yourself. Along with this, you should also take care of your teeth, which are an important part of your self-care routine, and may require some cosmetic dentistry along with basic oral care.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is key for overall health and wellbeing—it increases endorphins which boosts mood, helps reduce stress, and increases energy levels overall. Not a fan of going to the gym? That’s ok! There are plenty of other ways to get moving—yoga, running outdoors, taking up biking or swimming—the list goes on! Find something you enjoy doing so it doesn’t feel like a chore and make sure you have fun while exercising for maximum benefit!
Set Boundaries with Others
Learning how to set boundaries with others is an important part of self-care; not only does it make sure people respect our limits, but it also helps prevent us from feeling overwhelmed or overburdened by other people’s needs or expectations. Setting boundaries doesn’t have to be hard; start small by saying “no” when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do or setting clear expectations when someone asks for favors from you. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice this skill will become easier over time!
Take Time Out For Yourself
Taking time out for yourself is essential for self-care; whether it's reading a book in bed before lights out or taking an hour each day just for yourself—this time should be free from distractions (like phones) so that we can relax and recharge our batteries after a long day (or week). Taking regular breaks from technology can also be helpful in reducing stress levels so don't forget this step.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
Spending quality time with loved ones is another form of self-care; whether it's having coffee with friends or playing board games with family members—connecting with those close to us can give much needed perspective on life's challenges as well as provide emotional support during hard times or celebrations during happy moments. The key here is making sure these meetings are meaningful rather than superficial conversations about daily routines and errands—really take the opportunity here to find out how everyone's doing!
Everyone has their own unique way they practice self care—some may prefer more glamorous activities while others may prefer more practical approaches such as those outlined above—but no matter what method works best for you, the most important thing is that you prioritize taking care of yourself every day so you can live the best life possible. So remember: get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals regularly, exercise, set boundaries with others, take time out for yourself, and spend time with loved ones. These six simple steps go a long way towards helping anyone stay healthy both physically and mentally throughout their life!
