Self Care

Self-Care

The concept of self-care is one that we hear a lot about these days, but most people have no clue as to what it actually is. Exactly what is self-care? What are some self-care activities that can be put to use to ensure that you are taking car of your mind, body, and soul?

Think about the safety speech that you hear every time youre on a plane. The flight attendants tell you to be sure to secure your own oxygen mask BEFORE tending to those in your care. Why? Because if you try to help others without ensuring your own safety first, you might pass out. The same logic can be applied to your everyday lives. Are you invested with taking care of yourself? Most people assume that self-care is founded on ideas of selfishness or a lack of caring about others so they tend to shy away from it. When you are able to properly care for yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally, only then do you become better able to pursue your goals and to enrich the lives of the people around you.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is a generalized term that has recently grown in popularity that is used to describe things that you do for yourself to make yourself feel better about yourself. They can be small self-care tips like picking up your favorite coffee on the way to work, or something on a larger scale. Like booking an exotic cruise vacation. Self-Care activities are critical to our mental health and emotional state of well-being. When you put yourself first, you not only ensure that you are the best you a possible, but you can reinvigorate yourself. You tend to have more energy and happiness to give in other areas of your life. Here are some self-care ideas if you are looking for ways to bolster your well-being.

Get Physical

Most people overlook their physical health when they are discussing mental and emotional health, but the -body connection cant be denied. When your body feels healthy and strong, your mood heightens, and when youre in a great emotional state, it shows in how you move your body. Make it a point to engage in physical activities that you love often. Whether its going for a quick swim in the pool, a run around the block, or taking a spin class. You can also change up your physical state from sedentary to active, it is a simple way to take care of yourself. It can even be something as simple as going for a walk with a coworker during your lunch hour. Whatever self-care idea that you decide to try, make sure they bring you at least some level of happiness. Forcing yourself to jog every morning if youre miserable the entire time should not be on your list of self-care activities.

Change Your Mindset

When youre constantly focusing on the negatives in life its hard to feel fulfilled. Why? Because your energy flows where your focus goes. Learn to adapt an abundance mindset, instead of focusing on what is wrong. This is perhaps one of the most important self-care tips you can add in your life. Reframing your thoughts and shifting your focus is a deliberate practice that will take some time to do. However if you are able to actually do it, you will receive much greater joy and fulfillment in everything that you do and in all areas of your life.

Say No

Knowing when the right time to say no is one of the self-care activities that everyone has the most trouble with. It feels like youre always saying yes to everyone when asked for something in your personal life and at work. It can be rewarding to have a gull calendar but its also important to say no. If you;re feeling run down or spread too think, allow yourself the ultimate luxury: downtime. By taking the time needed to recharge your batteries, youll bolster your energy level and be able to return to your regular schedule with increased energy and gusto. Carefully choose when to say yes and make sure youre only agreeing to do things that align with your values or things that bring you happiness. You seamlessly create a business and life you love when following your passion is one of your self-care activities.f

Practice Focus and Gratitude

Self-care tips dont all have to involve making major changes to your lifestyle-they can also be as simple as finding a few minutes to reflect. Try a priming routine instead of reaching for your phone or hitting the snooze button when you wake up. This 10-min exercise requires you to become conscious of your breathing, practice gratitude, visualize what you are wanting, and focus on your newfound positive energy on being able to accomplish goals that are very important to you. Create a morning routine that can help you stay on track and centered during the day. It can also help you handle challenges as you learn that even the biggest roadblocks can be reframed into an advantageous opportunity.

Reward Yourself

Afford yourself a personal reward from time to time, especially after doing a great job on something that was tough to do. It is also nice to reward yourself if you are having a tough time with dealing with everything, just put everything to the backburner and give yourself something spectacular that you have been wanting. A fresher, happier you will reap significant rewards.

Speak With a Therapist

In the often stressful and fast-paced nature of life, you have to learn to forgive yourself for the days where you dont have the drive to do anything. Productivity comes and goes, and that is all right. So for bad days, take some time off to take care of yourself. Therapy is something that is recommended to everyone. It can really help a lot when you are stuck in a rut, or just feeling down and lonely.

Schedule Days Off

Adding a day off to your calendar-where you do not let yourself schedule any work, housework included- will make a major difference in your well-being. As hard as it is to disconnect and take the time away from work that you truly need, regularly giving yourself space to relax is worth it. Sure, you will feel better overall, but you will also be able to tell the difference between your work's quality after working five days in a row versus right after a day off. You will feel like a new and better you. Your productivity will be much higher and you will be a happier you.

Do Something Creative

When you are starting to feel burned out in your daily life, take the time to do something creative. Whether it is painting a beautiful picture, coloring in a coloring book, writing a creative short story or designing something cool for the fun, something that is created will allow you to relax a little, clear your mind o f stressful things, and it has the ability to inspire fresh ideas. You will be able to return to your daily life feeling fresh and new with a great attitude and full of energy.

Tiny Self-Care Ideas For the mind.

*Start a compliments file: Document the nice things that people say about you to reflect on later.

*Challenge the Way to Make Decisions: Instead of using your head to make a decision you use your heart or vice versa.

*Go Cloud Watching: Lay on your back, relax and watch the sky. Use your imagination and what the clouds look like.

*Take A Different Route: Mixing up your daily routine in small ways creates pathways in the brain to keep it healthy. Enjoy the scenic route.

*Goof Around A Bit: Try to schedule in five minutes of play time several times during the day.

*Punctuate Your Day With a Mini-Meditation: One minute of awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations; one minute of focused attention on breathing; and one minute awareness of the body as a whole.

Be Selfish: Do one thing today just because it makes you happy. You deserve it.

*Unplug for an Hour: Switch your phone to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant bings of email and social media for just an hour a day.

*Get Out Your Comfort Zone: even if it is just talking to a stranger at the bus stop, in the mall or at the coffee shop, you get out of your comfort zone and say hello.

Tiny Self-Care Ideas for the Body

*Give Your Body 10 Minutes of MIndful Attention:Use the body scan technique to check in with each part of the body.

*Take Three Deep Breaths: Breathe into your abdomen, and let the air leave through your stomach and chest.

*Get Down and Boogie: Put on some up beat music and just dance.

*Stretch: If you are at work/school, head to the bathroom to avoid strange looks and have yourself a good long stretch.

*Run/Walk for 10 Minutes: Or go up and down stairs five times. Walking/Running relieves stress and is healthy for your physical health.

*Be Still: Sit somewhere comfortable and be quiet for a few minutes. Quiet time is meant to relax you.

Get 15 Minutes of Sun: Sunshine is great for your body. Get out and enjoy, especially in cooler climates.

Have a Good Laugh: Read a couple of comic strips you enjoy, watch a comedy movie or television show.

*Take a quick nap: Ten to twenty minutes can reduce your sleep debt and leave you ready for action.

Tiny Self-Care Ideas for the Soul

*Help Someone: Carry a bad, open a door, go shopping, or drive to pay bills for someone else.

*Write Out Your Thoughts: Go for 15 minutes on anything that is bothering you and let it go when you trash it.

*Stroke a Pet: If you dont have one at home, go to a park. Pets give unconditional love.

*Get Positive Feedback: Ask three friends or family members what they love about you.

*Splurge a little: Buy a small luxury as a way of valuing yourself.

*Take a Home Spa: Have a long bath or shower, sit around in your towel/bathrobe and read.

*Plan a two-day Holiday For Next Weekend: Turn off your phone, tell people youll be away from home, and then do something new around your own town.

Closing

Above all, remember that self-care activities are personal. While some may enjoy a weekend away with friends, others may enjoy staying at home reading a book. Whats important is incorporating the self-care ideas that suit you and bring you joy. Find hobbies and activities that you enjoy doing and make time to enjoy them. Whether you find yourself reading a good book in a nice warm bubble bath or go on a 5k run, know that the way that you engage in these activities is yours alone. Incorporate these acts of self-kindness into your normal routine so that you can continue feeling energetic and excited about your goals. Remember that taking care of yourself is not a selfish activity-it is the way you can best position yourself to others and add to the world as a whole.

*Do you think self-care is a big deal?

*How do you feel about the idea of self-care?

*What are some of your self-care ideas?

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