How often do you take time to take care of yourself?
The chances are that it’s not often enough. Studies show that 77% of people regularly show signs of stress. If you’re one of them, you could benefit from some self-care.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean taking a luxury vacation or getting pampered at a spa. Even slight changes in the way you live your life can help. In this article, we’ll tell you all about how to take care of you.
Our Top Ten Ways to Take Care of You
Here are ten essential tips for practicing self-care. See how many you can incorporate into your everyday life.
1. Break the Routine
Doing the same thing every day become monotonous after a while and sometimes, all you need is to break the routine.
Even just a small change, like taking a different route to work or trying out a new place for lunch can make the slightest change. Keep things interesting and try to seek out special moments when you can. They’ll add extra value and meaning to your day.
2. Say ‘No’
Life is full of obligations. You may spend all day at work trying to appease your boss, coworkers, and clients only to come home and fulfill obligations to family members, friends and your partner. You can’t please everyone, so why not make sure you please yourself?
Don’t be afraid to say no. Whether it’s to overtime with your boss or a lunch date with a friend, you don’t have to feel guilty for turning it down.
When you’re being pulled in different directions, stay centered by remembering to be true to your own wants and needs.
3. Speak Your Mind
For many of us, it’s in our nature not to speak our minds. We modify our words, softening them to appease other people.
How many times have you pored over an email draft, editing and then re-editing to make it sound just right? How many times have you not spoken up about something because you didn’t want to rock the boat?
It’s time to start honoring your thoughts and saying what you really feel.
When your communication isn’t entirely authentic, things continue to bother you later down the line. If you speak your mind, you can avoid the stress of that.
That doesn’t mean vocalizing your entire internal monologue; there are always some things that should be kept to yourself. If you imagine shouting obscenities at slow walkers who trail in front of you on the street, it’s best to say them with your inside voice.
4. Do What You Enjoy
It’s important to make time for the activities that you love.
If you’re a workout junkie, find a way to fit exercise into your routine. If cooking’s your thing, pick one day a week to get busy in the kitchen. If time with friends feeds your soul, commit to seeing them regularly.
People who do what they love have more self-esteem, are more productive, and live happier lives. In fact, studies show that they even earn higher salaries.
No matter how busy your life may be, set aside some time for the things that set your soul on fire. Whether it’s once a day or once a month, it will make you happier.
5. Put Yourself First
You can’t take care of others unless you take care of you.
For many, the concept of prioritizing their needs over the needs of others is alien. If you’re a parent of caregiver, it may seem as though you never have time for yourself. However, it’s essential that you find a way to get it.
6. Try Something New
From time to time, you need to get out of your comfort zone.
This doesn’t have to mean going bunjy jumping or packing up everything and moving abroad. While those are great ways to do that, they’re extreme examples. It could be as easy as just doing a small thing you’ve never done before.
Don’t be afraid to try new things when they’re presented to you, but seek them out, too. Is there a place you’ve always wanted to visit or a food you’ve always wanted to try? Go for it. You never know!
7. Be Patient
This one applies not only to other people but to yourself, too.
When you’re trying to get things done, we often find ourselves getting stressed out with others around us. The problem is, not everyone can work to your schedule. In times like these, try to take a step back and remember that everyone has their own problems, and we never know what others are going through.
Being patient with yourself means not being too hard on yourself when you feel like you aren’t where you should be.
When you’re trying to achieve something, quit something, or change something, remember that things take time. It’s OK to slip up and fail, too.
8. Take Time Off
This is one of the most obvious ways to take care of you. Unfortunately, it’s treated as a luxury rather than the necessity that it is. That’s why many of us don’t do it enough.
When’s the last time you took a vacation? Time off is important for unwinding and recharging. When you look back in years to come, you may well regret spending so much time at work, so start planning your next trip.
9. Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep?
A lack of sleep could be the reason you’re feeling burnt out. If you’re having trouble getting enough hours in at night, see if you can fit in a nap during the day.
10. Take a Bubble Bath
Nothing soothes the mind and body quite like a bubble bath. When you’re soaking in the tub, all the day’s worries seem to melt away, along with the body’s aches and pains.
Be True to Yourself
Everyone is different, and the best way to take care of you will depend on your individual hobbies, dreams, and desires.
Whatever it is that you enjoy, make it a priority. That way, you’ll have a more productive, less stressful life. Most importantly, you’ll be happier.
What are your favorite self-care rituals? Let us know in the comments below.