When life gets hectic, we often forget to think about what is most important: taking care of ourselves. In your effort to stay on top of work and other responsibilities, you might be overworking and operating in a fog. There is nothing wrong with getting some “me time” in your life. Practicing self-care will help you feel more refreshed, energetic, and ready to embrace the new day.
And remember, self-care isn’t selfishness. Self-care is something every person needs, and we have the tips to get you started with your self-care routine. Keep on reading to find out more.
1. Bring small pleasures into your everyday.
By “small pleasures,” we mean being mindful. This means thinking about those little somethings that bring you joy, like a certain scent or sound or memory. Instead of watching the same television shows or using the same apps on your phone, why not go for a walk outside and enjoy nature? Go cloud watching or stargazing. Have a picnic in the park. Listen to some uplifting tunes while you reorganize your home. Have an impromptu dance party while you prepare for work in the morning. There are millions of ways to brighten up every second of every day.
2. Visit the acupuncturist or chiropractor.
When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, tension will inevitably gather up in your back and shoulder muscles. This will make you feel like a bundle of nerves. Whichever you choose, a trip to the acupuncturist or chiropractor could be just the thing you need. An acupuncturist will use slim needles to help blood and endorphins circulate throughout certain points in the body, while a chiropractor will use some manipulations to release tension and fluid from the spine. Both can have marvelous benefits for your mind and body.
3. Indulge in a bath.
Remember when you were a kid and nothing was greater than a bubble bath? Well, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it as an adult either. Before you go to bed at night, run a hot bath, use some salts (epsom salt baths are wonderful for reducing inflammation), and just relax.
4. Treat your body respectfully.
Your body does a lot more than you give it credit for. The muscles help you move. The bones support your weight and protect your organs; and those very organs give you life. Your heart beats. Your brain transmits signals down the spine. It’s so complex—but you don’t have to do much to appreciate the miracle of your body. Do some mindful exercises, like meditation, yoga, going for plenty of walks/jogs throughout the day, and eating nutritious foods.
5. Feed your mind and soul.
Once you start doing more for your body, like deep breathing and exercising, you’re going to want to feed the mind as well. To do this, you should try a new hobby—something that feels like an adventure and takes you out of your comfort zone. Learn a new language, learn how to cook ethnic food, go travel to a foreign country, work on arts and crafts or a puzzle, read a book from a genre you typically avoid. There are many ways to be adventurous and keep your mind fresh!
Self-care can be done numerous ways, but when you combine these five things, such as going to a few acupuncture sessions and enjoying a new class or hobby, you can start to feel more connected and free. Not only that, but you will be far less stressed. Which of these ideas are you going to incorporate into your life first?