Everyone should take some time to care for themselves. As far as what self-care entails, it can mean a variety of things. But the bottom line is that you should always be taking deliberate steps to improve your mental and physical health. Here are six ways that will help you better care for yourself.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is a crucial part of any self-care routine. When you get enough sleep—seven to nine hours per day for the average adult—you give your body and mind a chance to rest and recover. Getting a sufficient amount of sleep can give your immune system a boost and help fight off illnesses.
Additionally, a good night’s sleep can lower your stress and anxiety levels. A well-rested mind is less drowsy and more able to think clearly and quickly.
Eat healthy foods
Adhering to a healthy diet can be effective in promoting your overall health and well-being. The foods you choose to consume provide you with the nutrients and energy needed to function.
These foods also play a large role in determining your gut health, which in turn affects the health of your body, brain, heart, and immune system. Therefore, you want to be careful about what you eat and consume things that will make you feel great both physically and mentally.
Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables (especially leafy greens), and lean meats like poultry and fish in your diet. Excess amounts of sugar and processed fatty foods can lead to health complications and negatively affect your mood.
Exercise on a regular basis
Incorporating an exercise regimen into your daily routine has all sorts of valuable benefits. First, exercising helps you burn calories and lose weight, thereby reducing your risk for disorders like obesity and diabetes. It also can play a role in combating a number of other health conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
Beyond the physical benefits, studies have shown that exercise can contribute to a healthier brain as well. Physical activity can improve your mood and promote feelings of happiness, while lessening feelings such as anxiety and depression.
Starting an exercise regimen doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go to the gym every day—start small by breaking up your day with walks and working your way up to strength training and aerobic exercises.
Practice mindfulness
What is mindfulness exactly? It’s a type of meditation where the goal is to feel completely present in the current moment, and fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, senses, and surrounding environment.
You should feel cognizant of the present moment while withholding any judgements. Many people find that practicing mindfulness reduces stress and anxiety, and makes them feel happier and more relaxed in their day-to-day lives.
Learning to live in the present moment and not dwell on past shortcomings or agonize about the future can be beneficial for your overall well-being. In order to start practicing mindfulness, follow these steps:
- Find a calm place to sit down.
- Set a timer (five minutes is a good starting point for beginners).
- Take steady deep breaths.
- Relax and focus on breathing patterns.
- Acknowledge and release any intrusive thoughts.
Drink water
Seeing as roughly 60% of our body is made up of water, it’s no surprise that we need to drink a lot of it throughout the day. Staying hydrated is a simple way to care for yourself that provides you with a number of healthy perks.
When you’re properly hydrated, your metabolism can increase, leading to weight loss and higher energy levels both physically and mentally. According to some reports, getting enough water can also impact your skin, ridding it of toxins and dryness, and resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion.
So how much water should you be drinking? In general, men should drink about 13 cups of water per day, while women should drink about nine. Of course, if it’s a particularly hot day or you’ve been exercising, it may be necessary to drink more.
Pay attention to your health and hygiene
In order to stay in good health, you should keep up-to-date on your vaccinations and schedule a yearly physical with your physician. Visit healthcare professionals when you need to and discuss any problems you’ve been having.
You should also invest in your health. At the dentist and concerned about how much wisdom teeth removal cost? Do some in-depth research and try to find a way to fit it in your budget. It’s much better to address health problems (especially dental ones) sooner rather than later.
Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is a process that will take time and practice. But, in the end, implementing these activities into your life can ensure your good health and maybe even lead to a happier, more fulfilling life.
