Taking care of yourself starts from the inside out, from getting good sleep, exercising and eating well. Making time to care for yourself should be a top priority, as your health, happiness and wellbeing is ultimately your wealth. Self-care is a way of making sure that you are prioritising your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. If we aren’t able to take care of ourselves, then we aren’t able to take care or help others. It’s important to surround yourself with friends and family that you can talk to, and take time to do activities that keep you present, such as meditation or writing. The small choices we make during the day can have a bigger impact in the long run. Our lives are much more than work, and finding me-time can help you recharge your batteries. The more you are able to fit self-care time into your life, the better you can grow and enjoy your life.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is beneficial for a healthy mind, good mood and maintaining a healthy body weight. Sleep also helps to repair your body, maintain productivity and help with decision-making. Sleep deprivation can have an impact on the amount of energy you have throughout the day. A lack of sleep can cause levels of stress to increase and levels of concentration to decrease. A good habit to build is to refrain from using your phone right before sleeping, and finding a different activity to end the night, such as reading a book. By unplugging from technology, it can help with making sure your phone isn’t the first thing you touch in the morning and the last thing you look at night.
Talk to Friends and Family
Talking with those you are close to and trust can help keep you grounded. Surround yourself with positive people, and take a little time out of your day to laugh! It actually helps you fight off infections and illnesses because your body works better when it isn’t under stress. Your immune system is affected by physical and emotional stress, and so laughing helps to fight off infections and illnesses, as your body works better when it isn’t under stress. Meeting people in person or even chatting over the phone can be a great way to catch up and relax. It’s a reminder that we have abundant support from people we love and trust.
Practise Gratitude
By practising gratitude you recognise the positive elements of your life, and how much you have. You can have a journal to write things down, which can allow your thoughts to flow and see things with more clarity and mindfulness. It can be a therapeutic way to let go of all your worries, and a mindful way to write down a list of what you are grateful for during the day. Place the journal beside your bed, as a way of creating a habit of writing your thoughts at the end of the day. Writing thoughts down helps us to reflect and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Pamper Yourself
Small steps of brushing your hair, washing your face and wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable and stylish can greatly affect your mood during the day. Take a day to yourself, whether it’s a date to a café, movie night at home, a 30-minute facial or a walk in the park. Spend more time doing the things you love, and you will feel your mood greatly uplifted. Give yourself time to relax and breathe, and by taking those moments to pause you can feel calmer during a busy day.
Drink Enough Water
Water is the key to vitality, energy and health, as staying hydrated allows your body to function optimally. Dehydration has significant impact on your health and it can also increase feelings of stress. Water is great for your skin complexion, and is a natural headache remedy. Make it a daily habit to drink from a drink bottle while you’re at work or school. Water helps you feel more energised, makes you feel less fatigued, and keeps you functioning efficiently.
