Self-care is important. Focusing on your physical, mental and emotional has always been something humans struggle with. However, it is something we should prioritize now, more than ever.
Having a healthy and happy state of mind is something most of us would love, and self-care is the key to having it.
The three most essential ways to take care of yourself are physical, emotional and mental care. Each creates a foundation that you can build on and develop your habits, your routines in your daily life.
Take care of yourself physically
Fitness and health are the main elements of improving your physical care. It includes activities that primarily benefit your fitness and eating habits, as well as your sleep routine.
Exercising regularly is very beneficial in many ways. These include increased energy and happiness (because working out releases endorphins, commonly known as the “happiness hormone”), it can help your skin and brain health, and can improve your sleep levels.
Plus, eating nutritious meals and snacks can help you lose weight, build strong bones and teeth, and improve your mood.
Physical Self-Care Ideas
- Have a sleep schedule
Sleep is essential for good physical health. Getting 7-9 hours every night is very beneficial: it reduces stress and inflammation, improves your memory, makes you more alert and gives you more energy.
- Replace your unhealthy snacks with nutritious snacks
From swapping white bread to wholemeal bread, from a chocolate bar to a piece of dark chocolate, or from ice cream to frozen yogurt, there are countless swaps you can make. Taking care of what you eat is the number one thing that helps your physical health.
- Go run
Although running is generally an activity that many decide to avoid, it can have incredible benefits. Some of the benefits include: better heart health, it burns a ridiculous amount of calories (double what you would burn walking!) and is amazing for your legs and core.
- Practicing yoga
Yoga is a sport that not only has benefits for the body, but also for the mind. It’s no different from meditation – in fact, many say it’s as a form of meditation. It also increases flexibility and muscle strength, reduces weight and improves athletic performance. If you’re skeptical about starting yoga, do some simple stretches before and after a workout. It shares many of the same benefits of yoga.
- Drink more water
Women should aim to drink 1500ml (1.5L) a day, but many do not drink up to this amount. Staying hydrated throughout the day is extremely important as it improves skin health, regulates body temperature, eliminates bodily waste and helps maintain blood pressure.
- Treat yourself
Having a whole day to relax and unwind seems like bliss. Put on a face mask, listen to your favorite songs, and treat yourself to a manicure, watch your favorite show, or read your favorite book.
Mental self-care
Our busy lives can prevent us from finding time to take care of ourselves, but finding time each day to have “me time” is essential.
Mental self-care includes activities that calm your mind and reduce stress. It allows your mindset and perspectives to expand, while prioritizing your needs over the wants of others.
There are a variety of things you can do for your mental well-being. These range from avoiding toxic people and gossiping to starting a new hobby and continuing to grow your knowledge.
Mental Self-Care Ideas
Avoid social networks
Although social media has many advantages, such as the ability to interact with friends who are miles away, there are also many disadvantages. Social media has been proven to increase depression and anxiety. It is also likely to make many teens unhappy with their body image. Endless scrolling on social media is unproductive and can diminish trust. Taking a break from social media will improve your mental health and confidence, however, it doesn’t have to be cut completely.
- To learn a new language
Learning a new language comes with many new challenges. It is normal to feel such an important task, but it is very beneficial: it helps to develop cognitive skills, listening and problem-solving skills and social interaction.
- Log
Writing down your thoughts and feelings is an effective way to control your emotions in times of stress and chaos. Writing every day can improve the quality of your writing and your vocabulary, while inspiring creativity and stimulating your memory.
- Lily
Reading is one of the most productive and prolific things you can do in your free time. It improves your vocabulary and knowledge, and improves focus and concentration. Reading a good book has a beneficial effect on your mental health as it greatly reduces stress. Reading as little as six minutes a day can reduce your stress level by 60%
- Cut toxic relationships
Staying in a toxic relationship has many negative consequences. This impedes personal growth and can even lower your confidence. Although it can be difficult to walk away from a relationship, it will have many positive effects.
Take care of yourself emotionally
Self-care that maintains your feelings and emotions is just as important as physical health. Emotional self-care is about becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings and learning to control them.
Similar to mental self-care, emotional self-care adapts the mind to make it more positive. Emotional healing prevents constant negative thoughts and develops your mindset to see the best in every situation.
This type of self-care basically takes care of your emotions because it honors and understands how you feel.
Emotional Self-Care Ideas
- Meditate
Meditation is powerful for your mind, thoughts and feelings. Having an allotted time each day to be at peace and free from anxiety or stress is beneficial for emotional healing. Meditation relaxes you, reduces stress and can even generate kindness.
- express gratitude
Being grateful for everything you have and expressing it is probably one of the most helpful things you can do to ensure good emotional health. Not only does it improve your mood, but it also improves self-esteem and increases mental toughness.
- Get in touch with a friend
Although we can’t see our friends, it’s essential to be social and not walk away from friendships. Calling a friend will prevent loneliness and increase your sense of belonging. Choosing the right friends to talk to can also boost your confidence.
- Stop comparing yourself to others
Self-deprivation is ineffective and will get you nowhere. Instead of feeding off unpleasant remarks or comparing yourself to others, give yourself compliments and praise yourself. When you’re used to comparing yourself, it can be hard to stop. But understand your self-worth and accept yourself.
