4 Ways to Practice Self-Care
Maybe you spend your days just trying to get by: wake up in the morning, rush to work, slave away at your 9-5, go home to sleep and do it all over again the next. This relentless schedule can easily lead to burnout which is why it’s important to hit the “pause” button on life sometimes and take a second to recharge. You may not think you’re into self-care but the concept of “self-care” doesn’t just mean face masks and baths – there are plenty of other activities you can do that will help you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on life with panache.
Check out our list below for some self-care tips that you may want to consider incorporating into your own life.
- Learn more about yourself
One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to take time to be introspective and learn about your personality tendencies including your strengths and weaknesses. On the spiritual side, you can also dive more deeply into your intuitive self by practicing meditation or private prayer.
Below are some strategies to gain self-knowledge:
- Get your tarot cards read: Or, buy a tarot deck for yourself. Tarot cards can help bring up subconscious desires and thoughts you have that you don’t consciously recognize.
- Try out an aura camera: Getting your aura professionally read can tap into details regarding your personality traits.
- Take a Myers-Briggs personality test: You’ll find out if your current career and hobbies fit your natural tendencies.
Learning about your innermost self can help guide you on your journey towards fulfillment.
- Eat well
We get it, you’re busy and making wholesome, quality food for every meal is a serious task that requires quite a bit of effort. However, with a little bit of planning, you can pull it off. More fruits and veggies will help your body run better – think of it as clean fuel.
Here are some ideas to make preparing food less of a chore:
- Meal prep: Even if “meal prep” just means you have a double-batch of your dinner so that you have lunch the next day, this is a great step to take toward overall wellness. You can also make multiple meals on one pre-chosen day of the week if you’re feeling motivated. Pro tip: invest in some high-quality meal prep Tupperware so that you’re more likely to use them.
- Meal subscription boxes: There are two ways to use meal subscription boxes, you can either get a box that simply packages the ingredients you need for your meals such as the Plated subscription box or, you can get fully-cooked meals sent to your door with subscription services like The Good Kitchen.
- Be mindful: You don’t have to eat healthy all the time but make sure your diet is balanced and full of colorful fruits and veggies alongside the occasional donut.
- Practice positivity.
Get rid of your negative thinking! This one takes effort because it’s very easy to fall into the pattern of self-criticism and self-doubt. However, practicing positivity is a healthy way to feel better in all aspects of your life. Practice maintaining your calm even when life gets stressful.
- Make mornings fun
Okay, maybe making mornings “fun” is a stretch but if you’re not a morning person, there are steps you can take to make your morning go a little bit more smoothly. First, make sure you’re going to bed at the same time every day – this helps set a schedule for your body. Turn off the electronics at least an hour before you plan on getting some shut-eye – this reduces the risk of blue light affecting your circadian rhythms.
Try out these extra tips below for a happier morning:
- Exercise: If you can get yourself out of bed, slip into some running shoes and go for a short walk or run around your neighborhood. Even if it’s not long, it will still leave you invigorated.
- Make a wholesome breakfast: Coffee is assumed but try adding in a full breakfast before your workday. It’ll help jumpstart your metabolism.
- Lay out clothes the day before: Don’t rush around the morning of work trying to figure out your outfit, lay out everything so you’re completely prepared.
- Listen to a podcast as you get ready: Instead of getting sucked into emails and social media, try out a podcast like RadioLab.
Creating an amazing morning ritual will help ease you out of sleep and get you ready for your day.
In Conclusion
Practicing self-care is an important tool you can use to bolster your mental and physical health. Remember when you get caught up in a busy schedule that you should always pencil in time for yourself.