Some people grow up with the idea that self-care is selfish. Taking care of yourself first is important, especially if you are dedicated to taking care of others. Just as airplane passengers are told to put their own oxygen masks on first in an emergency, taking care of your own well-being first enables you to help yourself and others.
Self-care means adopting a mindset that makes your physical and mental health a priority. It shows in behavior like getting enough sleep and eating well, and in many other aspects of life.
It means:
1. Make sleep part of your self-care routine.
Sleep can have a huge effect on how you feel both emotionally and physically. Not getting enough can even cause major health issues. But stress and other distractions can wreak havoc on our sleep.
2. Exercise daily as part of your self-care routine.
We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight.
Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to incorporate other exercises, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to fit into your schedule more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.
3. Say no to others, and say yes to your self-care.
Learning to say no is really hard. Many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you are stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or coworkers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you will start to feel more self-confident, and you will have more time for your self-care
4. Take a self-care trip.
Taking a self-care trip can make a huge difference in your life. Even if you are not feeling particularly stressed, getting away for a weekend every now and then can help you disconnect, relax, and be rejuvenated.
5. Schedule your self-care time, and guard that time with everything you have.
It can be hard for us all to find extra time. It is extremely important to plan regular self-care time. Moments alone can help you to ponder the best ways to move forward in your life and keep you grounded. Moments with friends can help you feel more connected and relaxed.
Whether you decide you want to go for a long walk, take a hot bath, or enjoy a good movie with friends, taking self-care time is imperative. Look for small ways you can incorporate it into everyday life; for example, you might wake up 15 minutes earlier to sit with a cup of tea and practice deep breathing before the chaos of the day begins, or you might take a walk around the block on your lunch break. The more you can work self-care time into your schedule, the better you will be able to grow, enjoy your life, and thrive.
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