Self care is always of the utmost importance for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Even if you grab just a few minutes at the end of a long day, taking time for you is a real game changer.
When you take care of everyone around you but neglect yourself, you are in fact also neglecting everyone who relies on you. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
So, what can you do to relax, unwind and get in the moment? Simple inexpensive activities can work wonders to rejuvenate you.
Ideas For Self Care
Meditation
Meditation is so much more than sitting cross legged on a cushion for hours. I used to think I’d never get the benefits of meditation until I learned there are so many different ways to meditate! This is a practice that is easy to fit in your daily routine. Meditation gives you inner peace and helps manage stress and anxiety.
A 5 – 10 minute meditation of just being in the moment rejuvenates your soul. I enjoy walking meditations, I’m more mindful of my environment.
Tea
Brewing a cup of tea is a mindful experience, be fully involved in the process of tea making. Slow down and observe what you’re doing and what you’re feeling. Breathe in deeply the aroma of your cup of tea. How do you feel?
Candles and Incense
There’s something very comforting and soothing when you light a candle and burn some incense. The world around you slows and peace fills your being. Scents have the ability to evoke pleasant memories and uplift your mood.
Positive Affirmations
Affirmations play a huge role in rewiring your brain to improve positive self-perception, self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. Saying your affirmations out loud in front of a mirror helps you see the positive in yourself. Positive self-talk helps you envision positive events over negative ones and this helps bring a change in behavior.
Nature
Getting out in nature is a great way to boost your self care practice. Taking a walk in a park or hiking on trails calms, balances and recharges you. You’ll feel relaxed by the scenery, the fresh air, and the birds singing.
Movement
Physical activity such as yoga, tai chi, running or dance helps keep your mind stimulated and alert. Being engaged on a regular basis in physical activities helps your body stay healthy and this keeps your mind sharp and active as well. Choose an exercise that suits you, the more you enjoy it the more likely you’ll stay with it.
Meals
It’s important to prepare and eat at least one meal a day mindfully. This helps you focus and appreciate the meal you’re preparing and eating. Give gratitude to the food you’re about to eat. We’ve become dependent on fast food and not so healthy food and rarely are we taking the time to savor what we eat, much less the food preparation.
Aromatherapy
Using essential oils can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, alleviate physical ailments, improve sleep, help digestion, and create a relaxing mood. Take a long hot bath with some sea salt and add lavender or chamomile essential oils to your bath water for a calming, relaxing effect. The sea salt draws toxins out of your body and helps relax your muscles. Use peppermint or citrus oils for an invigorating bath.
Breathe
Becoming aware of your breath, inhaling slowly through your nose filling your lungs and exhaling through your mouth helps relieve stress and lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
Gratitude
A gratitude journal is a wonderful way to maintain a positive mindset. Keep a notebook by your bed and every morning write three things you’re grateful for. This might feel awkward at first but after a while it becomes easier. Now I look forward to writing what I’m grateful for and I’ve noticed the gratitude and joy stays with me throughout the day. I simply recall what I’m grateful for and those happy feelings return quickly. It’s not impossible to rewire your brain to focus on the positive.
Self care is the loving act of focusing on you improving yourself. It’s about giving yourself what you need to be healthy, strong and positive. This includes anything you do to keep yourself healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Practicing self care daily gives you a more balanced, centered life with increased wellness.
