Self-care is something you should grant yourself every day. It has the power to foster personal growth and push you towards emotional wellness. By actively participating in self-care, you reinforce your value.
Taking care of oneself can be as simple as taking a stroll around your neighborhood or at the end of the evening taking a nice hot bubble bath.
While you may recognize the benefits of self-care, you may find it to be overwhelming at first. You may feel that self-care is just another task on your mile-long to-do list. This is temporary. Once you begin to incorporate self-care into your daily routine, it will become the daily treat you look forward to every morning.
Maybe you already practice self-care but the activities you have practiced are becoming tedious. This poses the perfect opportunity to discover something new. Below is a list of the ten most popular self-care habits, you may find the one that is right for you!
Enjoy Nature
An easy addition to any self-care routine is to simply enjoy nature. Taking a stroll through a local park or simply walking through your neighborhood can give you a sense of peace and effortless bliss that you so often forego in your life.
For most of us, life is a never-ending cycle of responsibilities, burdens, and stress. Because of the rapid lifestyle a fast world we live in today it’s easy to forget to simply breathe. Take the time to halt what you are doing and reveling in the beauty around you can work wonders on your overall well-being.
Not only will you improve your emotional wellbeing, but you can also improve your physical wellbeing. Today most folks are spending their days hunched over a desk staring at a computer. This can cause serious negative effects on your body. Walking is an easy, low-intensity form of exercise that can help to alleviate anxiety and can even lower your blood pressure. Taking a moment to step away from that and getting some fresh air can feel miraculous.
Exercise
One extremely beneficial form of self-care is to exercise. Regular physical activity can prevent disease and chronic pains, improve lung function, and enhance your overall quality of life. Doctors recommend exercising at least 30 minutes every day to reap a litany of health benefits and disease prevention qualities.
Working out can take many forms, whether it by running through a trail, lifting weights in the gym, or playing a sport with your friends, getting your blood pumping can revitalize you in ways that nothing else can.
Take A Nap
If you find yourself chugging coffee to force yourself through the day, you may want to instead listen to your body. Granting yourself the ability to relax and carve time out of your day to rejuvenate yourself can provide wondrous benefits. Perhaps you have an incredibly demanding schedule, and you do not think that you have time to rest.
You could be the ultimate person fo this form of self-care. Allowing yourself a moment to slow down and relieving the pressure you place on yourself can be just the remedy you need to find your peace.
Studies have shown that ‘power naps’ which last roughly 15-20 minutes can improve cognitive functioning. Sleeping allows the brain to reorganize and increase focus. This can make you more effective in your work while benefiting from the peace that sleeps brings.
Write in a Morning Journal
A morning journal is to be engaged with first thing in the morning. Typically, people will write about how they feel, positive affirmations, their goals for the day, and their long-term goals.
Outlining these details can provide clarity to your mind and allow you to focus on what is most important. It is a great way of relieving anxiety and encouraging self-love. It is easy to become accustomed to rushing through the morning preparing for a stressful day ahead. Taking time to write in your journal allows you to set the tone for the rest of your day.
Write in a Dream Journal
Writing in a dream journal is like a morning journal but has one key distinction. It is to be used solely for recording and then further analyzing dreams. Our subconscious minds are truly elusive and largely misunderstood. This subconscious shows its face in the form of dreams. We can take advantage of this insight by documenting exactly what our dreams are telling us and using it to improve our lives in avenues that we may have never realized to be lacking.
For this endeavor to be successful, you must keep a notebook close to your bed for easy access. Most people forget what they dreamed of within a few minutes of waking up; sometimes even seconds. It is imperative to begin writing as soon as you wake up before you forget everything.
Becoming a Dream Journal practitioner will permit you to document the dreams you remember but it will also cause you to remember more of your dreams. When the mind becomes accustomed to focusing on dreams, they will become more vivid and more frequent.
Dream interpretation can be fun and exciting, or a meaningful look into your subconscious. Either way, it can grant you tremendous benefits throughout your day and your sleep.
Gift a Loved One
Performing an act of kindness can do wonders for your own emotional and spiritual well-being. While it may sound counterintuitive, caring for others is an excellent way to care for yourself.
Perhaps a friend of family member in your life is going through a tough time. Doing something small for them can make the world of difference in their life. Having this impact on someone else can be the boost you need as well. Humans are social beings; we thrive on the relationships we have with other people. Not only will you feel accomplished by boosting a loved one, but you will also find increased confidence and self-love by lending that helping hand.
Everyone has something to offer. By forming a bond with someone in your life you may find that they have gifts to give you in return. When giving to others you will also receive.
Dance!
After a long day, turn on your favorite tunes and dance the stress away. This is a great form of exercise as well as an effective mood booster. Dancing encourages you to get in tune with your body and mind.
It requires no thought or planning and can be a great way of clearing your mind and rejuvenating your body. Dancing alone or with a partner can be the much-needed change to your mundane daily routine.
Go for a Drive
Driving aimlessly can take you to a place you did not know you needed. You may find yourself on an adventure through a town you have not explored, or you may end up driving through open plains and cow pastures. Wherever you live, there is someplace you have not seen or deeply appreciated. You may spot some wildlife or find some beautiful street art. Perhaps you will stop at your newfound favorite coffee shop.
The possibilities are endless, and you can only discover them by taking and putting your foot on the pedal. You will discover new things nearby you, and you may also uncover something within yourself. Maybe it is that blissful peace or your inner child who is always down for an adventure.
Play With a Fidget Toy
Fidget toys are not for everyone, but they can be a fun little pass-time. These innovative little gadgets have been shown to help adults across the globe effectively cope with anxiety and ADHD. The small object can allow you to feel in control of something while your life may feel completely out of control. Playing with a fidget toy will give you an improved feeling of wellbeing and sense of reality and fun that can boost your overall emotional health.
Fidget toys provide a simple sensory stimulation that keeps you engaged without being demanding or overwhelming. This effect is like what a stress ball may provide, another good option for self-care.
Seek Therapy
Spending time with a professional mental health expert is the ultimate form of self-care. While this is the most demanding task on this list, it is potentially the most beneficial. Talking to a therapist can provide you with life-altering insight on how to properly care for yourself.
Contacting our team at Healthy Families of Albuquerque is the first step to achieving this form of self-care. There is not a more excellent time than the present to begin therapy. You do not have to be ready or feel prepared to start your journey to fulfillment. Healthy Families of Albuquerque employs highly trained professionals that will work with you through every step of the process. If you are finding that alternate methods of self-care are too overwhelming or simply ineffective, contact Healthy Families of Albuquerque today to schedule a consultation with full confidentiality and security.
Comments