How many of you can say you purposefully set aside time to implement self-care into your lifestyle? Unfortunately, not enough of us do! With continued growing stressors in everyday life, it is more important than ever to begin to incorporate self-care into our lives and daily routine.
Self-care involves regularly doing things to care for ourselves, to benefit our mind, body, and overall well-being. All walks of life can benefit from practising self-care. Self-care is much more than you may think it is from surface value. Self-care isn’t needless splurging on online shopping or sitting down and bingeing that popular Netflix show. These represent more negative self-care behaviours. Self-care is recognising what is essential and places your needs as valuable. Yes, getting a massage, going to that pilates class, or going on a weekend away is making you feel all warm and gooey inside and represents positive self-care. However, self-care also involves shifting your mindset, attitude, and positive self-talk.
The hardest part of self-care might be not knowing where to start or what to implement into your daily routine. The first step in getting started with self-care is to stop thinking it’s a selfish act. We are all worthy of self-care!
Here are a few ways you can start to implement self-care into your routine:
1. Making time for self-care
Many of us use the excuse that we don’t have time to look after ourselves but we find plenty of time to sit on the couch and binge on those Netflix shows. Therefore, making time for self-care by scheduling 10-20 minutes out of your day will make it just that little bit easier. This time slot might involve you reading that book you’ve never gotten a chance to start or doing a guided meditation. This is the perfect way to teach yourself routine and relax your nervous system. Starting your morning off on the right foot will allow you to attack the day, in the best way possible.
2. Get your body moving
This might involve stretching, walking your dog, jogging around your neighbourhood, skipping, a yoga class or any other type of movement. Regular exercise is so important for not only your physical health but mental health as well, there really is no substitute for getting fresh air. Getting regular exercise is linked to stress relief, better sleep, increased mood and energy, improved posture and increased flexibility.
3. Eating nutritious foods
I know it might be hard to say no to those freshly baked cookies or that juicy burger and those comfort foods are probably exactly what you think of when ‘self-care’ is mentioned. Treating yourself every so often is more than warranted, however, it is so important that you’re fueling your body with nutritious foods, to allow it to function at its very best! The food we put into our bodies correlates explicitly to our mood and energy levels and has a direct impact on our quality of life.
4. Daily gratitude/journaling
Gratitude can be defined as being thankful and appreciative. Practising gratitude daily is associated with many mental health benefits. Taking time in your day to journal for 5 minutes and reflect on what you are thankful for and grateful for allows you to focus on the good rather than the bad.
Try answering these questions every morning to help direct your day:
I am grateful for…
What will I do to make today great?…
Daily affirmation: I am…
Before bed that night, try answering these questions:
What are 3 amazing things that happened today?…
Today, I am proud of myself because…
5. Doing something you love
As simple as this may sound, when was the last time you went and did something that brought you joy? I bet the answer is, not often enough! Step away from your work desk, sign off for the weekend and go out and do something that you really enjoy! This is going to increase your endorphins and reduce your stress levels. Make sure you are making time for yourself.
6. Saying NO
It is important that you are able to listen to your body and mind, and know when to say “no.” It is important to set aside this time for yourself and recharge your energy. It’s okay to dedicate yourself to having downtime when you need it. Burning out is a very real stressor that is caused by emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. Recognise this and take the time to rest when you need to.
Remember, beginning to incorporate these self-care tips into your daily routine isn’t selfish, it’s important! Just by taking this first step of reading about self-care and educating yourself is a huge step toward practising self-care, so congratulations! Over time, implementing these small, brief acts of compassion and kindness towards your body and mind will add up to create positive long-term changes.
Total Health 
