Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care
This is a collaborative post.
With social media, you might be tricked into thinking that one of the only ways to practise self-care is by having a photo-shoot worthy bath (and then being able to post a picture of it, of course). But that is definitely not the case (unless you are a big fan of a bubble bath).
In terms of self-care, you have to do one thing first, and that is remembering that what you want to do is different to other people, and there is no right or wrong way of doing things. Still, even after saying that, it can be hard to know where to start with things. So here are a few ideas to help you towards some positive self-care steps that you can fit into your life.
Drink plenty of water
Making sure that you are able to drink plenty of water each day is really important for health and for staying hydrated. But starting off the day with a glass of water as soon as you wake up is a quick and easy boost that can start your day off in the right way. When you wake up in the morning, often we will be quite dehydrated, so drinking lots of water to start off with, can help to feel good and less groggy.
Journaling
No matter how bad you might have thought your day has been, there will always be something positive that will have happened. It could be that you’re just grateful for having a car to keep you out of the rain on the school run.
Keeping things simple and straightforward and looking for the positives can be a good thing that can take care of yourself. Focusing on some of the things that you are grateful for can help you to put things into perspective, and it can help to reduce the drama that comes from any stress that you might have had to deal with that day.
Kick bad habits
In order to look after yourself better, then it starts with being able to kick some of your bad habits. Then you can really give your health a boost, as well as free your mind. If you are addicted to something or are super reliant on something in particular, then you’re never free to choose for yourself.
If you would find something hard to kick right away, then it can be a good idea to find a healthier alternative. Just make sure that you take positive steps to improve things, and take it one step at a time.
Meal planning
Another way to really take care of yourself is to eat well. And in life, you can’t really eat well if things aren’t planned ahead of time. The idea of fresh food sounds all well and good until you’re stressed out and short on time; life happens.
If you are able to pre-plan your meals, the thought process behind it all has been eliminated. Plus, if you have food in the house, then it can reduce the impulse to just go out and buy something unhealthy or get a takeaway.
Move for at least 30 minutes a day
The thought of having to do a HIIT workout each day can be pretty tough, and unless you really enjoy that kind of thing, then it is going to really put you off wanting to exercise.
But the good news is that getting in at least thirty minutes of aerobic exercise, no matter if that is a full session or the gym or just a walk on your lunch break, they are all going to have a positive impact on your mental health, just as much as your physical health.
You also don’t have to exercise all at once either; breaking the thirty minutes up into smaller ten-minute sessions can have just as positive of an impact.
Plenty of Sleep
It can seem like something simple, but getting enough sleep is something that doesn’t always work for everyone. On average, healthy adults need around seven to nine hours of sleep each night for good health.
When we rest enough, your brain can get rid of toxins, it helps to consolidate memory, and helps to build up the health of your brain. So make sure that you make an effort to get into a good sleep routine, and it can really help you to feel your best.
If you look after yourself and feel in control you could maybe book yourself a holiday? Do you own your own home? Why not save up for a deposit if not? Put yourself in control of your future and do more self-care.