All of us have a tendency to get caught up in our work from time to time. We take up so much responsibility that we find it hard to take out time for ourselves once in a while. Over the last few years, there has been growing awareness about the importance of self-care. Even WHO mentions that health is classified as emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
If we are physically fit but struggling emotionally or mentally, we aren’t living our lives to our fullest potential. Most often when we feel tired, exhausted, or run down, we have not taken out any time for ourselves. This does not mean that you need to go to a two-month yoga retreat. Just taking out time for self-betterment can help you enhance your level of self-care. ‘Me-time’ is as necessary as finishing your tasks on time.
Sure, the world will not stop running when you take out time for yourself, but working around the clock isn’t good for anyone. It is important to do everything in moderation. We also need to instill a few habits in ourselves that can help us move forward easily. Do not beat yourself up, but celebrate yourself and be kind. We have curated a list of a few ways to help you up your self-love game.
Get some fresh air
Often, we get so stuck in our routine that we never get out of it. Going back and forth from home to work is not a really good routine. Get some time to ditch the comfort of your home and get some fresh air outside. This is a great way of improving both your physical and mental health. Just like meditation, spending time in nature has multiple benefits to the brain.
There is also a ton of research that suggests even looking at pictures of nature can help calm your mind down immensely. It is known to spark positive activity in the brain. If you can not plan a small hike or a trekking trip, just try to go for a walk to the park near your house and see how it has a positive impact on your mood.
Studies have related less mental distress and greater life satisfaction with more green space. You can even think of sneaking in a small workout when you get out into the garden.
Exercise
One of the most important aspects of self-care is looking after your physical well-being. Exercise is known to have several benefits for your overall health. The stress hormones in our body called cortisol can be immensely reduced by just working out twenty minutes a day.
Our body also relaxes after we get it heated up. Moreover, exercise releases happy hormones that leave us feeling more happy and relaxed. Exercising every day can help provide emotional upliftment and a lot of energy for us to take on the day.
Be sure to not exercise at night since it can interfere with your sleep pattern. You can choose any form of exercises such as jogging, swimming, yoga, gymming, and much more.
Sleep on time
Your body needs its full energy in order to take on the next day. It is vital that you give yourself consistent sleep every single night. A ton of research shows that lack of sleep can lead to irritation, exhaustion, increased risk of heart diseases, and much more. It is important to develop good sleep hygiene in order to promote a better quality of sleep.
Sleeping on time can increase your productivity and can boost your concentration. Change your nightly routine and include relaxing things in it such as taking a bath or reading a book. You should not consume caffeine and alcohol after 6 pm. Be mindful to limit your screen time before bed as it can mess up your circadian rhythm system as well.
Spoil yourself
Just as your significant other or your loved ones would love a day of pampering, your body would love you for it too. It is important to take out some time during the day for a little alone time. Draw yourself a bath, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get your favorite book.
Go out for lunch or dinner alone to your favorite place to treat yourself. Gift yourself some spa packages that you can use during your free time. Take out time for your hobbies and what makes you happy. Be sure to spend time with your loved ones as it boosts endorphins and oxytocins in your body.
Try aromatherapy
Just as breathing techniques can be quite helpful in making us calm down and relax, what we breathe in is also quite important. A ton of research shows that aromatherapy offers a lot of benefits in regards to self-care. Many citrus-based essential oils can help decrease anxiety and stress.
Lavender has also been proven to offer quite a few relaxation benefits to your body and mind. Even a whiff of rosemary can help boost your memory. It is important to discover new scents that can be useful to you. You can keep diffusers, candles, or bottles of essential oils to help you.
Be mindful
The most important aspect of self-care is to focus on the present. Your self-care activities will not work at all if you do not pay attention to them and keep worrying about the work that you have pending. Being mindful includes a practice where you should focus on the present without any judgment about what is happening around you. This can help you get in tune with yourself and lower down stress levels immensely. It also helps us deal better with stressful situations since we are mindful to not judge how we feel about the situation. This can also help you boost concentration and can help you focus on more important things. Many studies have shown how mindfulness helps enhance our mental health.
It is important to take out time for yourself in the fast-paced life that you live. You should be able to take a step back and keep yourself as a priority.
