What is self-care you ask?
Self-care simply means to pamper thy self. It is like finding balance inside-out, within, and without. If you too are caught in the hubbub of endless work, you need to take a pause, reflect, recover and bounce back stronger. Life can get monotonous, without a doubt. You might feel stuck, maybe stressed, or just burned out. Indulging in activities like organizing your desk, folding your clothes, watering your plants, or taking a power nap amidst a busy day are simple and powerful ways to help set your self-care routine. You need to take a pause, like now.
How do I start a self-care regime?
Self-care has been clinically proven to improve and enhance the quality of your life. In a society where self-care can be construed as sel-fish, it becomes even more necessary to build the much-awaited habit.
Awareness: Start to live your life actively. You can start with keeping a note of things that elate you or make you miserable. It can be the smallest thing that uplifts your mood — a cool breeze, an old song, a lost fragrance, or a game you like to play. Be aware of your reaction to different things and situations. It will help to steer clear of obstacles in the road of self-care.
Small Steps: You can start with as little as 2 minutes of self-care every day. Consistency plays an important role in building any habit. Stick to those 2 minutes every day, for at least a week. Keep increasing the time gradually, keep adding the list of activities to it.
Evaluation & Journaling: Keeping a track of your self-care journey allows you to monitor your consistency and progress. It helps you to propel yourself towards active participation in daily activities.
Improvisation: Improvisation brings thrill to life. It is essential to keep communication strong with whatever work you are doing, verbal or non-verbal. It helps to intensify your imagination, flexibility, and even awareness.
Self-care is an individual practice and should come about with ease. Here are the 10 best suggestions to help you jump start your self-care journey:
Meditation: Practicing meditation is an exploration of spiritual and emotional self-care. Meditating early in the morning can help to energize your entire day.
Physical exercise: Incorporate physical exercises into your daily routine. It doesn’t necessarily mean hitting the gym. It can be a morning or an evening walk. You can also start with simple stretches in the comfort of your home. These habits help to relieve anxiety and stress as well.
Daily affirmations: Affirmations can make your day much brighter. You can even make your affirmations, based on your goals and interests. Simple everyday affirmations like I can, I believe can do wonders.
Sustainable living: Self-care doesn’t have to be consumeristic. It is basic and should not cost you a penny. It should also come from a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the people. It can be as easy as carrying a reusable water bottle, buying local food, donating books or clothes, and helping people around.
Clean eating: Eating seasonal and regional fruits, cereals and vegetables help to maintain your health and balances water levels in your body. This positively impacts your physical and mental well-being.
Saving money: Finances constitute an important aspect of our lives. It is often not talked about in terms of self-care, but magaing your finances can save you from many troubles. Keeps you prepared for rocky times too.
Cold shower: A cold shower is known to stimulate your vagus nerve. In turn, it soothes you and helps to release stress and anxiety.
Talking to a friend: Phone a friend? Yes, the service is still available. In this hyper-connected world, there is nothing like catching up with a friend, old or new. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and emotions can be worthwhile in a self-care cruise. Call a friend, have a good laugh, reconnect, regrow and replenish.
Enjoy little things: Enjoy the little things! No, it is not a cliché, it certainly isn’t. It is frequently said, but seldom practiced. Take note of your favorite poem, go for a long walk, or gaze at those million stars. It will weigh down the weariness in your life.
Set a social media schedule: The most self-sabotaging act can be comparing your life with the people on social media. The interruption of social media can be disturbing and even intimidating. But, it can be avoided. You are not obligated to consume any one thing that deteriorates your well-being. Therefore, instead of scrolling those videos endlessly, put a time limit to your social media usage. You won’t believe the time you can save and the creativity you can unleash.
Self-care is an active process. Encourage yourself to wake up with a healthy heart and mind. Be consistent with your routine. Your persistence will prove to be an active catalyst in building an infallible self-care regime. Grow gorgeously, onwards, and upwards!
