It can be difficult to find the time to take care of yourself when you’re busy taking care of everyone else, but you should treat that as a non-negotiable. After all, if you don’t have your health, what good are you to anyone else?
The first step is to take care of yourself is to incorporate mindfulness into your day-to-day routine, which can help you feel grounded and increase focus. From there, it’s up to you to find the activities that work best for you, but these are a great place to start!
1. Start your day with mindfulness
It’s important to start your day on a mindful note, whether it’s meditating for five minutes or simply going over the events of the previous day. This can help you to center yourself and prepare you for the day ahead.
2. Eat healthy and nourishing food
The best way to be healthy is to fuel your body with nutrient-rich food. This can mean eating more vegetables and fruits, cutting out processed foods, or just eating more whole foods. But keep in mind that this does not mean eating less food, which can lead to undernourishment.
Instead of cutting out whole food groups from your diet, try to incorporate more variety to keep things balanced. For instance, try replacing refined grains with quinoa or brown rice, instead of skipping out on grains entirely.
3. Find a way to get outside every day
Being in nature, breathing the fresh air, and soaking up some sun are all vital for your mental and physical health. It also makes it easier to fall into a mindful state, as there are fewer distractions and noise. Plus, this will decrease your stress levels.
4. Incorporate movement into your life
Whether it’s running, cycling, yoga, or simply taking a walk around your neighborhood, the key is to incorporate some form of movement into your daily life. This can help to boost your energy levels and increase your focus.
5. Look into preventive healthcare
Whether it’s getting a flu shot, treating your allergies, or scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician, making sure you are taking care of your health is a great way to promote longevity and happiness.
For this, you might want to look into preventive healthcare measures that you can do, such as going to the clinic for a physical exam at least once a year. Another way to promote longevity is to get regular exercise, like cardio or strength training.
6. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
You can’t survive without water for more than three days, so it’s important to drink enough throughout the day. Aim for eight glasses a day, which you can keep track of by setting an alarm or keeping track of how many times you fill up your bottle.
7. Get enough sleep at night
Forcing your body to function on little to no sleep can lead to poor concentration levels and irritability. That’s why you should always aim for seven to nine hours of shut-eye per night if possible. This way, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day.
However, if you’re struggling to sleep at night, consider taking melatonin before bed, making sure your bedroom is completely dark, and cutting down on caffeine after 2 pm. By doing so, you can get better sleep, which in turn will promote health and happiness.
8. Take time for yourself each week
By spending an hour each week on something that makes you happy, like reading a book or going to the movies, you can reduce stress and improve your mood. This “me” time is important for your mental health, so don’t neglect it.
Prioritizing your overall health is the main purpose of doing self-care. So, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to disappear even just for a few hours as you get lost in your hobbies, shows, or whatever it is that makes you happy.
9. Make time for friends and family, too
While it’s crucial to have time to yourself, it’s even more important that you’re spending quality time with your friends and family. So, for a least one day each week, try to get together or have a phone call with someone that you care about.
Spend some time chatting or playing games together so you can connect with those who care about you. This will decrease your stress levels and help you to feel happier overall by increasing your social activity.
10. Get out of your comfort zone
Whether it’s trying new food, starting a new workout routine, or attending your first yoga class, trying something new can help you to become more confident in yourself. And as you try new things, your self-esteem will increase.
So remember: If you want to be happy and healthy, then take the time to nourish your body and soul. This means spending quality time with friends, family, or enjoying “me” time for a little while each week. Not only are these activities good for your health, but they’re also rewarding and fun!
