10 Simple ways to practice self-care every day
Published on Thu Feb 20 2020 in Lifestyle
Caring for others is a quality that most parents try to teach in their children. We focus on the joy and comfort we can bring to those we help, as well as the feelings of happiness and accomplishment we often receive in return. While it’s unarguably nice to care for others, how often do we focus on caring for ourselves?
Ignoring your own needs can be detrimental to your health. Everyone needs a bit of “me time” to reset their mind and body. If you’re always giving to others but never to yourself, you could burnout and find it hard to help anyone in a meaningful way.
Practicing a bit of self-care in your daily life could help you stay recharged and ready to face the world. Taking time for yourself doesn’t need to be hard or eat up hours of the day. Some simple actions or small tweaks to your routine might be enough to help create a better you!
10 simple ways to practice self-care every day...
1. Wake up 15 minutes early
The tone you set in the morning could follow you all day long. If you’re rushing about to leave, it can be tough get your mind on track. Instead, create a more calming morning routine. Set your alarm 15 minutes early and give yourself extra time to get ready, eat breakfast or just take a moment to breathe before heading out the door.
2. Practice gratitude
Giving thanks for life’s blessings could improve your day in many ways. People who practice gratitude often report getting better sleep and feel less stressed! Working gratitude into your day doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be a daily prayer or writing down three things you’re grateful for in a journal at night.
3. Stop working through lunch
It’s not uncommon for Kiwis to eat a quick lunch at their desks while they keep working. Your job may feel important, but you’d probably agree that your mental health is even more so. Missing out on a true lunch break (or skipping it all together) could affect your well-being and job performance. Taking breaks from work can help clear your mind and might make you more productive when you return.
4. Do something mindfully
Mindfulness is all about focusing on the present moment by doing something with no distractions. It could help reduce stress, help you concentrate and even be more productive. Instead of multitasking all day long, try completely focusing on at least one task — no TV, music, smartphone or chatting while you do it. Some suggestions are washing dishes, stretching or slowly eating a snack.
5. Learn to say ‘no’
It can be hard to say no to the people we love and want to help. However, saying yes to everything could leave you feeling spread too thin, tired or stressed. As much as it may hurt, it’s probably not in your best interest to say yes to everything. Saying no can help you set boundaries, prioritise your own physical and mental health and help you enjoy the things you do say yes to more!
6. Unplug for 30 minutes
Screens seem to be unavoidable these days, and they do help us stay connected to family & friends, work and news events. However, turning off our phones, tablets, TVs and computers could be good for our health. Unplugging for even just 30 minutes a day could help improve sleep, increase productivity and deepen our connections with others.
7. Do something active
Exercise can not only help you stay healthy physically, it could boost your mood too. You don’t have to do a full workout every day, either. Adding just 10-minutes of exercise to your day could be enough. Take the dog for an extra walk, use the stairs instead of the elevator, or join the kids in some backyard cricket!
8. Reflect on your day
You might take time to reflect on your life come Christmas or New Year’s, but what if you made it a daily habit? Reflecting on your day could help you make sense of things that are happening at home or at work. It could also help you recognise changes and track your progress and become more self-aware.
9. Get ready for tomorrow
Prepping for the next day could help make your mornings calmer and more relaxing. Pack your lunch after dinner, iron tomorrow’s outfit and gather together anything you’ll need to take with you in the morning. With less to do in the morning, you can take your time getting ready and really enjoy the start of the day.
10. Create a calming bedtime routine
A good night’s sleep starts before you turn off the lights. Doing a relaxing activity, like listening to music quietly, taking a hot bath or reading a book could help your body ease into sleep. Other good sleep habits include turning off all screens at least an hour before bed and limiting alcohol and caffeine in the evening.
Now that you’re recharged, here are 42 ways to show more kindness to others!
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About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
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