Self-care has been a buzzword for a long time now. Its importance of it is well understood and championed by societies the world over, and rightly so. Taking care of yourself is important, sometimes you have to put yourself first to be able to help others. It is neither selfish nor unjustifiable. That said, putting self-care into practice is often much easier said than done. The demands of modern-day life can make it all too easy for you to neglect yourself and overlook that precious time to put yourself first.
You are not alone.
So, if you find yourself struggling to get yourself out for a spa day or lunch with friends because let’s face it, life isn’t all spa days and luncheons, then here are some simple things you can introduce to your daily routine to ensure that you get a little self care each and every day.
Exercise
Exercise deserves to be the first thing on the list because it is doubtlessly one of the most important things you can day every day to prioritize your wellbeing. There is little that should get in the way of you dedicating twenty to thirty minutes a day of heart rate inducing exercise.
Even just a short amount of exercise will go a long way to reducing stress. It could be a brisk walk or short run first thing in the morning, this will help you feel energized and motivated for the day. Even if you don’t feel up for it before you set out, you will come back feeling so much better for it. What is more, exercise will also help to promote good sleep habits, and weight management and improve your physical health and fitness. There are so many undeniable benefits to exercise that it simply must form part of your daily self-care routine.
Look after your skin
When you are rushing about to get out in the mornings or so exhausted after a busy day it can be tempting to overlook the attention you pay to your skin. You might opt for face wipes as opposed to a cleaning cleanser or fail to apply the moisturizer or sunscreen before your make-up. Skipping these small rituals can not only adversely affect the health of your skin but leave you feeling a little deflated and overlooked in the process. Spending a little bit of time each morning and night pampering yourself with a skincare routine, even if it is just with your typical daily scrub and cleanse can make a world of difference to your mood. It allows you five to ten minutes of peace where you focus solely on yourself and your thoughts and needs at that moment. What is more, it does wonders for the health and look of your skin and will leave you feeling so much brighter and more confident in yourself.
Morning meditation
If you can dedicate a quick five minutes out of your morning routine to practice some simple mediation techniques it will help you find balance in your mind for the busy day ahead. Where you can try to take a few moments to just sit, be, and relax before you start your day. You could dedicate this time to thinking about things that you are grateful for or practice positive affirmations.
Sleep better
Getting a good night’s sleep is the ultimate self-care step you can take. How much sleep you have can directly affect your mood, wellbeing, productivity, and mental and physical health – to name but a few of the benefits. Try to ensure good sleep practices such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, limiting screen time, and reducing caffeine and alcohol before bed. If you still find yourself struggling to get a decent night’s sleep then consider some natural alternatives to help promote restfulness and relaxation before bed, for example, you could buy Delta 9 products, which have been said by customers to help improve sleep.
Ditch the devices
What is the first thing you look at when you wake up? What about when going to bed at night? Is it your smartphone or device? Probably so. How many times do you look at this device during the day? More than likely it is too many. Checking social media constantly isn’t healthy and can result in feelings of insecurities or self-esteem issues. Checking your emails can result in your replying to emails instead of winding down for sleep or getting ready for work. Make an effort to leave your devices unattended first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Spend screen-free time getting yourself ready for the day or unwinding and relaxing for bed.
Adopt strict working hours
Whether you are an employee or business owner it can be all too tempting to take your work home with you. Are you guilty of finding yourself working over and above the hours you are paid for or are ‘supposed’ to be doing? While your tenacity and work ethic should be applauded this can result in your feeling like you never really get a day off or enjoy quality downtime. When you are not working try to make a conscious effort to do things you want to do. Spend more time with your family, not your deadlines. Take part in hobbies, activities, days out, or even a mini vacation. Do what you need to do to prevent yourself from checking emails and switching into work mode when you should be enjoying some much-needed downtime.
Read a book
If you are looking for a bit of escapism or a place that you can go to forget about the trials and tribulations of your day then there is no better place than getting lost in the world of another. Whether it is on your commute, during your lunch, or for 15 minutes before bed, picking up a book and getting lost is a great way to relax and unwind from your own stressors and pressures.