How to Start a Self-Care Routine for Better Health!
It seems like everywhere we look nowadays, we’re being bombarded with messages about the importance of self-care. And while it can sometimes feel like yet another thing on our never-ending to-do list, the truth is that taking better care of ourselves is essential if we want to be healthy and happy.
Fortunately, creating a self-care routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Even just making a few small changes in your daily habits can make a positive impact. So if you’re ready to get started on the path to better emotional, physical and mental health, read on for some tips on how to start a self-care routine that works for you!
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What is self-care?
According to The World Health Organization, self-care is defined as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”
According to this definition, self-care is any deliberate activity that takes care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. This can include anything from getting enough sleep and exercise to practising mindfulness and journaling, making time for hobbies and healthy relationships, and being able to seek help when needed.
Self-care is essential for both our physical and mental health. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels. Taking time for yourself to do things that make you feel good is essential to maintaining a healthy balance in your life. There are many different ways to practice self-care, but there are some basics that everyone should be aware of. In this post, we’ll discuss self-care basics and how you can incorporate them into your daily routine.
What self-care isn’t
There are many myths and misconceptions about self-care. For some people, self-care is about indulging in expensive spa treatments or strenuous workout routines. However, self-care is not about spending money or forcing yourself to do things you don’t enjoy. Instead, it’s about taking the time to do things that nurture your mind, body, and soul. It’s about taking care of yourself to be your best self.
One of the biggest misconceptions about self-care is that it’s selfish. However, this is untrue for the most part. It depends on how you define self-care. If you think of it as simply taking some time out for yourself, then no, it’s not selfish.
Everyone needs a break now and then, and there’s nothing wrong with taking some time for yourself to relax and unwind. When we take care of ourselves, we can be our best selves. We’re able to be more present for our friends and family, we’re able to be more productive at work, and we’re able to pursue our passions with more vigour. In short, self-care allows us to show up in the world in the best way possible. And when we’re able to do that, everyone benefits.
However, if you define self-care as only doing things that make you happy and ignoring everything else, it can be considered selfish. The key is finding a balance between caring for yourself and others. When you do that, you’ll be able to lead a happier and more fulfilling life.
Why is self-care important
We all have a lot going on, and letting our needs fall by the wayside can be easy. In today’s world, all of us are prone to stress and anxiety at some point in our lives. However, for many of us, stress can be a daily fixture! This stress can come from various sources, such as work pressures, busy schedules, strained relationships or financial hardship. Without taking time out, these stress levels can build up, leading to potential burnout and detrimental effects on our physical and mental health.
As previously stated, stress is a ubiquitous part of our lives. We experience it when we’re running late for an important meeting or dealing with a difficult life event. And while a certain amount of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can take a toll on our physical and mental health. When stressed, our bodies go into “fight or flight” mode, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones can help us deal with difficult situations. However, when cortisol levels are constantly high, it can lead to several health problems, including weight gain, stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. Chronic stress can even suppress the immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and other illnesses and worsening chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma.
This is where self-care comes into play. When we take time out for ourselves, we can recharge our batteries, becoming more resilient, meaning we are better equipped to cope with the tough demands of daily life. By incorporating self-care into our daily routine, we’re actively introducing healthy habits that will help us become more self-aware and mentally stronger, focus on what is important and keep the ill effects of chronic stress and anxiety at bay, improving overall health!
Research shows six main benefits of regularly practising self-care, including better productivity, improved resistance to disease, better physical health, enhanced self-esteem, increased self-knowledge, and the ability to give more to others. Can you afford not to incorporate self-care strategies into your daily life? Even the smallest changes can have a significant effect!
Types of self-care
As previously stated, self-care is all about taking the time to prioritise and focus on your well-being. This can take many forms, and finding activities or practices that work for you is important.
That being said, there are eight types of self-care to consider incorporating into your routine: physical (exercise, healthy eating), emotional (therapy, journaling), spiritual (meditation, prayer), financial (creating a budget, reducing debt), social (spending time with loved ones), personal (continuing education, problem-solving techniques), professional (setting boundaries at work, seeking out opportunities for advancement), and environmental (supporting sustainability efforts, decluttering).
Remember, self-care looks different for everyone, and there’s no one “right” way to do it. Take some time to reflect on which areas of self-care could use more attention in your life and start making small changes for the better. Your future self will thank you for it.
Examples of self-care activities
Physical self-care – Taking a long walk, trying out a new exercise, eating healthy meals, drinking enough water, getting a good night’s sleep, having a spa day or getting a massage.
Emotional self-care – Develop supportive relationships, step away from people who are toxic or emotionally draining, limit exposure to bad news, practice gratitude, start a journal, and have a social media clear out.
Spiritual self-care – Practice yoga, meditate, practice deep breathing exercises, clear your space, and spend time in nature.
Professional self-care – Keep work and personal time separate, take a lunch break, evaluate your workload, and ask for help when needed.
Financial self-care – Keep track of spending habits, take action on debt, and set goals and money intentions.
Social self-care – Meet up with close friends or family, Spend time with pets, reconnect with old friends, or join a support club.
Personal self-care – Learn something new, create a 5-year plan, and write down future goals and how to achieve them.
Environmental self-care – Declutter your home or workspace, create a relaxing space, or light candles.
Read more: 101 self-care ideas for when you need to relax and unwind.
How to start a self-care routine that works for you!
Anytime is the perfect time to start fresh, and what better way to do that than by creating a self-care routine that works for you? With some planning and trial and error, you can develop a routine that fits your lifestyle and helps you feel your best. Here are five simple steps to get started:
1. Take stock of your current habits – Take a few days to track how you currently take care of yourself. What works well? What could use some improvement? What do you want to change? This will help you identify areas where you can make changes.
2. Identify your goals – What do you want to accomplish with your self-care routine? Do you want to reduce stress, improve your skin, or just feel better? Taking the time to pinpoint your goals will help you create a more effective plan.
3. Make time for self-care – It can be tough to find time for yourself, but it’s important to prioritise self-care. Set aside 30 minutes daily for activities that make you feel good. Break up your time into smaller increments throughout the day if that’s impossible.
4. Choose activities that work for you – There is no one-size-fits-all solution to self-care. Try out different activities and see what makes you feel the best. Some things to consider include regular exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy eating, and spending time outdoors. Why not make a daily or monthly self-care checklist to help you stay on track?
5. Be patient and persistent – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful self-care routine. Be patient as you experiment with different activities and find what works best. Most importantly, don’t give up! If something doesn’t work out, you can move on to something else until you find a routine that works for you.
Final thoughts
As a busy person, it’s easy to forget to care for yourself. You’re always on the go, and there’s always something else that needs to be done. But you’ll eventually burn out if you don’t make time for self-care. A self-care routine is essential for better health. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Taking a few minutes each day to do something that makes you feel good can make a huge difference. Maybe it’s taking a relaxing bubble bath, walking, or reading your favourite book. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you enjoy and make time for every day.
A self-care routine can help improve your mental and physical health, but finding what works for you is essential. Hopefully, the tips in this post have given you some ideas on how to start taking care of yourself.
If you want to learn more about self-care, check out my related resources for everything you need to help maintain a healthy life balance!
Thanks so much for stopping by; I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and make it to the end! I have lots of exciting new content in the next few weeks, so make sure you pop back to catch up!
