10 Ways to Practice Self-Care

Our lives can get very hectic, and it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. It is essential to take care of yourself daily opposed to waiting till you feel down. Daily self-care time can prevent the blues and lead to greater productivity and success. It is not selfish to take time for yourself (and I will say this over and over again). To perform work tasks efficiently, and be there for loved ones, you must first be there for yourself. Self-care comes in many shapes and sizes and looks different for everyone.

Here is a quick list of ten self-care examples you can try at home. 

• Shut off electronics before bed and get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night.

•  Get proper nutrition, but don’t be too hard on yourself! We all love a treat now and then.

•  Find ways to stay active throughout the day, try parking at the back of the lot, taking the stairs, etc.

•  Don’t say yes to everyone. You cannot please everyone all the time, just do your best. 

•  Pamper yourself.

•  Take an hour a day to do something you love, like reading a good book, or taking a hot bath. 

• Create a healthy work-life balance, don’t expect too much of yourself.  

• Practice mindfulness (focus on the present).

• Read a book.

• Maintain relationships, don’t put them on the back burner. 

Self-care is important to maintain productivity. Getting overwhelmed can lead to a decrease in focus, concentration, multitasking, and creative thinking. Creative energy is not a limitless resource. Overworking yourself is not beneficial, you risk lowering your level of productivity while extending your working hours. The old saying “work smarter not harder” rings true. Completing four hours of work at your best is better than six hours at your worst. When you are working, work hard and stay task-oriented. When you are not working, slow down, take mental health breaks, eat when you’re hungry, and enjoy your downtime. 

Self-care is necessary to achieve emotional well-being. To boost productivity, you must take care of your welfare. Be your own biggest cheerleader, and advocate for yourself. When you take care of your mind you will find it becomes easier to succeed in other aspects of your life. A cluttered mind will make it harder to have clear and creative thoughts. Self-care time allows you to de-stress, relax, reflect on your day, and be your best possible self. Finding joy in every day promotes feelings of happiness. When your mental health increases it will become easier to motivate yourself and stay on track. Self-care is not black and white, and it is not always easy. Find whatever works best for you and your schedule.

Self-care teaches you about yourself. Allowing daily time to do what makes you happy will lead to exploring new things. Maybe you will find out you love gardening or watching scary movies! Personal time is time to grow into what you love. This will help you better value your needs and build a positive relationship with yourself. Don’t be afraid to try new things, have a conversation with your family and friends and ask them about their self-care routines. 

Self-care promotes healthy relationships. To be there for other people, you must first be there for yourself. Nurturing healthy relationships requires time. If you use self-care as a time management tool you will have more time to spend with friends, family, children, even your pets! It is harder to take care of others emotional needs if you do not take care of your mental health. 

In conclusion, self-care feels good. There is always a reason to do what makes you happy. Self-care does not mean rewarding yourself for hard work, it's setting yourself up for success. Self-care is an investment in yourself, your work, and your relationships. It may not come naturally if you’re used to overworking yourself. Keep in mind that self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. If you start feeling drowsy, try taking a twenty-minute nap. Practice mindfulness and find a self-care routine that works for you.

Comment down below your favorite self-care practices and what makes you happiest!