The awareness of mental health is being talked about on the news, radio, and social media, even celebs are coming out to say they are not okay. The awareness is good and it makes us ask ourselves, how are we really doing? This question is important and if you are thinking about this, you may wonder…what’s next.
Sure you have heard about self-care, that has been one of the most used words other than quarantine since 2020, but just because you heard it a lot doesn’t mean you know what it is and how to do self-care…effectively.
What Is Self-Care?
This is a question you may or may not have asked yourself.
The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health: - Google Search
So what does this mean: it means taking care of yourself. Putting your health first and being in tune with how you are feeling. Think about things that make you happy, it could be from tasting your favorite candy to seeing your favorite family member. These energy boosters have a way to help us heal, getting us back to productivity, and even helping us feel accomplished.
5 Effective Ways To Improve Your Self-Care
Check-in on yourself. Be sure to write down what you need or what you think is missing. This will require self-work and I do not think this is something you have to know overnight. Take a few days to really think about the last time you were happy, what were you doing at the time? How can you get back to that? If someone was in your life that was making you happy, and they are no longer around, think of the things you did that made you happy whenever you two were together. Work on returning to that person you once were when you were happy.
Start a routine. Having a routine helps with consistency, which leads to results. This is another thing that will not happen overnight, and you may have to play with different routines to see what is best for you. You might find that working out at night is better than working out in the morning. Or writing down your goals at the beginning of the week is better than the end of the week.
Exercise. This does not mean you have to get a membership, lift heavy weights, or join some intense workout group. You can start by walking, engaging in YouTube video workouts, or a stretching video before you go to bed. It is important we move our bodies to avoid stiffness and moving our bodies also becomes a mood booster.
Saying No. This can be hard for a lot of people, especially when it comes to family and close friends. It’s IMPORTANT to say no to the things that you are not comfortable doing, or just don’t want to do. Do not put yourself on the side for something or someone else. Your performance will not be as effective because you will not be able to give your best self. It’s hard to do but just start off by saying, “I am not in a space where I can do_________ for you.” True family and friends will understand.
Sleep. Make it a priority. It is common to be up past bedtime, tying loose ends. It is not uncommon to wait for the children to go to bed and get started on our work. We need just as much sleep as our children. If going to sleep at an adequate time is a challenge, try going to bed 20 minutes before you typically do, set an alarm, and whatever is not done, make it a priority to do the next day.
We All Need To Read This
Take these steps into consideration and be sure to make yourself a priority. Do this for the next 30 days and see how your mood changes. When we put ourselves first we are productive, and effective, and can be there for others. They say you cannot pour from an empty cup and the more I hear this the more I understand the importance of making myself a priority.
Reading is also another great way to put self-care into practice. Take a good book, magazine, or even an audiobook to learn new things and put your imagination to use. Be sure to check out our magazine to learn more ways to care for yourself, find support, and engage in conversation starters. If you are not a fan of paper, check out the digital content and download the latest version or any of our versions today.
Let me know how these activities help you put your self-care into practice. As always I am rooting for your…let’s continue this conversation in the comments.