Self-care is always important, but sometimes we need a reminder. So, here is your sign to take some time for yourself, because now more than ever, you deserve it!
What exactly is self-care? It can be described as a conscious act taken to promote better mental, emotional and physical health.
You may be wondering how these simple acts actually help. As well as preventing stress and anxiety, self-care encourages a healthy relationship with yourself and can improve things like confidence and self-esteem.
We’ve put together some of our favourite ways that we care for ourselves while we are staying home:
- Meditate and journal
Meditation employs mindfulness and focused concentration to bring you back to the present moment. This can help alleviate anxiety and increase self-awareness, and it can also help you get to sleep. Listening to a guided meditation on your phone for even a few minutes is an incredible form of self-care.
Journaling also works like a charm. It’s simply writing down your thoughts and feelings so you can understand them better. This helps with regulating emotions and improving your mood – the ultimate self-care.
- Read a good book
Don’t wait any longer to grab that book you’ve had lying on the shelf! Now is the time to cosy up on the couch with a book, a warm blanket and a cuppa. Reading will transport you into a whole other world, fiction or nonfiction, taking your mind off life’s worries. Immersing yourself in a great book has proven to reduce stress and other issues like insomnia, which makes for a really fun way to take some time out for yourself. Even better – sit and read outside in the sun to feel the positive effects of vitamin D!
- Have a dance or move your body
The benefits of exercise are undeniable, for all aspects of your health. They say that all it takes is 30 minutes of moving your body each day, to significantly increase your wellbeing – and we agree. You don’t have to be a health and fitness expert either. Whether you’ve been exercising daily for years or just starting off, there is a workout for you. Our personal favourite: chuck on some great tunes and dance your heart out! Not only is this a great way to get your heart rate up, it’s also just a great time. Or, if you’re feeling like something a little more slow-paced, why not try 30 minutes of yoga? Whatever way you choose to move your body, exercise is proven to promote the release of endorphins. These little beauties work to relieve pain and stress, whilst also improving your mental wellbeing. Talk about self-care!
- Run a bath
Are you feeling like winding down after your stint of exercise? Never underestimate the power of a hot bubble bath! Light a candle, put a podcast on, grab a cup of tea and sink into the warm water. This is such a simple one, but we guarantee you will feel better for it. You can even combine two forms of self-care by reading your favourite book (note: make sure not to get the pages wet). Our favourite flavours of bubble bath include almond milk, rosewater and anything lavender! Whilst you’re at it, pop on a sheet mask and some hair treatment for the complete self-care package. There is nothing more relaxing than doing your skincare in the bath!
- Cook some yummy food
You’ve meditated, moved your body, read your book, soaked in the bath and now you’re getting peckish. Well, let us assure you that there is no better way to nourish yourself than with some delicious food. There’s a good reason we all went crazy over baking and homemade sourdough over lockdown. Cooking is a great way to get yourself out of bed, moving around, staying occupied. Everything tastes better when you’ve poured your heart and soul into a meal, whether it takes 2 hours or 2 minutes (looking at you, instant noodles).
The more nutritious, the better. As we all know, eating a healthy, balanced diet is a great way to care for yourself and sustain a positive lifestyle. Yes, that includes comfort food too! Balanced with a majority of nutritious meals, a packet of chips or chocolate here and there contributes to a sustainable diet. Good food is good for the soul, and that’s what self-care is all about.
Whether you want to take a leaf from our book or create your own form of self-care, all that matters is that you are taking the time out for YOU. Make sure to take it easy and be kind to yoursel.
So, read that book, bake that sourdough, do that dance and remember: self-care isn’t selfish!