Showing yourself some love may sound simple, but can have a big impact on your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Even the smallest changes, like staying hydrated and being mindful, can help you lead a more balanced, happier life.
If you need some inspiration on where to start, we’ve got a few easy ideas for making every day a part of your well being journey. Let’s take a look!
1. Make Hydration a Priority
Have you ever noticed how you feel when you’re thirsty? Being dehydrated can have an impact, from how your skin feels to how alert you are, so it’s a good idea to make it a priority. Drinking enough water can help you feel more awake, keep your skin looking plump, and has a host of other benefits.
If you tend to forget to drink water throughout the day, there are a few things you can do to help you remember. Something as simple as carrying a colourful, insulated and reusable bottle around with you can help you remember to drink more as it’s right there in front of you. You can also set a reminder on your phone for every half an hour to an hour, or use a water-tracking app to give you that added motivation to drink up.
2. Start Your Day with Mindfulness
Adding a mindfulness routine is a great way to start your day with a little self-care. That’s because being mindful helps you focus on what you’re feeling and sensing, which can reduce stress and help give you a little lift for the rest of your day.
All you need to practise mindfulness in the morning is a few minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your schedule. How you do it depends on your preferences, but a few ideas are a quick meditation, a mental check-in with yourself, or a deep breathing exercise to focus for a few moments. Even as you go about your day, if you feel stressed, take a minute to breathe and get in-tune with how you’re feeling to help you through.
3. Incorporate Movement Into Your Daily Routine
When you sit or lay down for too long, you get a little stiff, which can make anyone feel a bit crabby. Adding movement into your daily routine is the perfect way to show self-care, as it can assist with de-stressing or even help you get a better night’s rest.
Like mindfulness, you don’t need to get moving for long to feel the effects. A 10-minute walk, 5-minute stretch or even a boogie around the living room can help you feel more alive and give you time to check in with yourself. If you do have the time, try a fitness class or heading to the gym for a session to release those feel good endorphins. Throughout the day, remember to get up and have a stretch or a walk around to keep the blood flowing, especially if you work behind a desk. You’ll thank yourself later!
4. Create a Relaxing Evening Ritual
A little self-care in the evening is the perfect way to prepare your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep. Having a bedtime routine not only gives you some time to yourself, but also helps tell the body, “Hey, it’s time to get into sleep mode.”
Your evening ritual should include what you find relaxing and enjoyable. You may like to read or journal, take a warm bath or sip a nice hot beverage from a reusable cup before you head to bed. Whatever you decide to do, it’s a good idea to make it a nightly habit so you get into a rhythm of winding down.
5. Make Time for Socialising
While it may sound counterintuitive to spend time with others to care for yourself, being around the people you love and care about is a great way to support your emotional wellbeing. Maintaining good relationships with friends and family can make you happy, feel more supported and even help improve your outlook on life.
It can be difficult to make time for others with a busy schedule, but there are plenty of ways to add social time into your schedule. You could even combine catching up with a friend or family member with another self-care ritual, like going for a walk, attending a yoga class together or simply unwinding at the end of the day over a nice calming tea together.
Remember, self-care is all about you. Find habits and routines you enjoy, add them to your daily rituals to make the most of them. Even if it’s small steps at a time, it all adds to living a healthier, happier life.
