Take care of yourself with these simple self-care ideas.
Why Is Self-Care Important?
“When practiced over time, these small rituals add up to a healthier and more joyful life.”
Evgeniia Siiankovskaia/Getty Image
Be Self-Compassionate
The first step in practicing self-care is learning how to be self-compassionate.
“Pay attention to your self-talk and speak to yourself the way you would to someone you love.
Get Enough SleepEvery Single Night
“We’re achronically sleep-deprivedsociety.
To figure out agood bedtime, start with when you oughta wake up and count back eight hours.
Breaking this negative pattern and reframing the way you view food is an excellent way to practice self-care.
While it’s perfectly OK (in fact, encouraged!)
“Willpower is the wrong mental force to maintain any long-term behavioral change.
Instead, figure out how to control your environment,” Dr. Lickerman says.
That’s right, setting yourself up for nutritional success is a simple act of self-care.
In these moments,writing down the things you’re grateful for can help you feel better.
“The more you practice gratitude, the more it becomes a natural part of your life.”
Meditate
Meditationis another excellent way to practice self-care.
“A consistent meditation practice can be life-changing.
Instead, you’re able to opt for aself-administered massage, Pink says.
She recommends the Abhyanga massage technique, which is part of the Ayurvedic tradition.
Other options include a simple hand or foot massage given to yourself, or a DIY neck massage.
Learn to Say No
One powerful way to practice self-care includes acknowledging and honoring your own boundaries.
“You must learn to tolerate the anxiety that saying no likely brings.
Once you learn to do this, you’ll discover people don’t dislike you for it.
In fact, they’ll likely respect you even more.”
After all, a messy house equals a messy mind, right?
If you don’t know where to start, make it a habit of doing a weekly house declutter.
Additionally, at the beginning of every season, donate any unworn clothes or items.
And don’t forget to throw away any expired cosmetics, medications, or toiletries.
In addition to the home, think about your organizing your phone.
A “digital declutter” at the beginning of every year may also help you feel more at ease.
“Seek out daily opportunities to be in nature.
Expose yourself to the beauty of nature and reap the benefits,” Pink says.
The effects of the benefits are felt for hours and days post-immersion.”
2021;18(9):4790. doi:10.3390/ijerph18094790
