Just starting out on your journey to self care? Believe me when I tell you that you are on the right path.
There are numerous benefits of self care. If you haven’t started as yet, now’s your chance. You’ll get a new lease on life when you take the time to take care of yourself.
Self care is the foundation of your overall well-being?
With all your commitments and obligations pulling you in so many different directions, sometimes you barely have time to pull off the basic tasks on a daily basis let alone take care of yourself.
The problem is, you might think that you don’t have the time but you have to make time.
If you manage your time better you can definitely fit YOU in your schedule. In the event that you fail to take time to indulge in self care, don’t be surprised when you’re stopped in your tracks by various health issues.
Your body and mind can really take a beating from the daily rigors of life. Combining all the stress of work, family, your financial situation and all those kind of stuff can severely affect you.
Even if you haven’t had a self care routine in the past, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need one at this point. Now is as a good time as any. You’ll give yourself a better chance to experience a happier, more fulfilled life.
What Is Self Care
If you haven’t really thought about it, you might be asking what really is self care?
Simply put, Selfcare is the time you mindfully set aside to cater to or indulge in activities that take care of only you. These activities will improve your mental physical and emotional health.
You just need to figure out what speaks to your particular needs in those areas in a meaningful way. Then be deliberate, continuous and consistent in implementing them in your everyday life.
Why Is Self Care Important?
The fact is, one of the biggest hurdles in taking care of yourself is time. But self care is important so you have to make time and fit it into your schedule.
Don’t feel overwhelmed. Even though some self care activities are a bit more elaborate and do require some time, it doesn’t have to be a luxurious task every single day.
It doesn’t have to be lengthy and drawn out, just adjust the time factor to suit your needs.
Let me explain, if you have just ten (10) minutes to spare each day for activities that take care of you, then make it happen. This can be a game-changer and that way it will be easier to make it a habit.
There are many simple ways that you can integrate self care in your daily routine. They will eventually become automatic and help you to step up your game.
For instance, Meditation is hands down, one of the best choices you can make for your emotional, spiritual and mental health. You can go through this in just a few minutes and still score excellent benefits.
Here’s the thing, you really need to prioritize. Taking care of you should be the top priority. Nothing and no one else.
The truth is that it will cost you dearly. Because your mental and physical health and your overall well-being will fall victim to the pressures of everyday life.
If you’re wondering why you need to tackle and implement these activities in your life then these tips will help you see some of the key benefits of self care.
1. Improves Your Self Esteem
First things first. When you indulge in self care habits on a regular basis and it will boost your confidence in many, many ways. Your self-esteem will jump through the roof.
Outwardly, when you take the time to take care of the physical aspects such as eating healthy, working out, upkeeping good hygiene as well as having a good skincare routine will make you look and feel good from the inside out.
Don’t forget that you also need to take care of your mental health. This is a critical aspect of self care and is just as, if not more important than the physical aspect.
There are times that you will just have to say no to others in order to keep your mental health intact. Instead of putting all your time and energy somewhere else, put the focus on you for a change. This can make a world of difference.
When you put the needs of others over yours it can lead to serious long-term mental and physical health issues.
Regardless of what others may say, it may sound self-centered but you do need to make yourself a priority.
It is not selfish at all to take care of yourself. It a necessity. As a matter of fact is really necessary to apply it to your daily life.
There’s no way you can really help others if you are not in a strong and healthy state both physically and mentally. If you have to say no to the demands of others then so be it.
2. Doing Things For Others
You might believe that if you spend the time to take care of yourself you will end up having less time for yourself and doing things for others. On the contrary, that is the farthest from the truth.
If your means of earning a living is taking care of and doing things for others, then you know that it’s easy to use all your time and energy dealing with their needs.
At the same time, how are you doing? Who is making sure that everything is okay with you? who is there for you? Who takes care of you?
You’ll have to take care otherwise, there is no way you’ll be able to avoid burnout and overwhelm.
At this point, you’ll be no good to yourself let alone anyone else. Your mental and physical well-being should take center stage all the time. If not, then all your efforts to help others will go up in smoke.
I can’t say this enough. Self care is extremely important to renew, refuel and restore your mind soul and body.
Know that you cannot serve yourself or others unless you have the stamina to do so. If you put your health and well-being first, everyone will benefit.
3. Improved Productivity
One of the best and most important self care activities you should start to work on without delay is getting your required amount of sleep.
A good night’s sleep works wonders for your entire well-being. Studies have shown that the required amount of sleep at night is normally eight (8) hours.
Without that, there are so many possible negative impacts. Issues such as gaining weight, poor mental health and inflammation.
You know how awful you feel in the morning without a good night’s rest you feel like you are running on empty. Make sleep your best friend for life.
When you get a good night’s rest you’ll have positive payoffs. For instance, you’ll have improved productivity. It will also l improve your concentration, no brain fogs to contend with.
If you are having issues trying to get some sleep. Start in small doses. Unplug from your phone and your computer a little earlier and call it a night.
It might be difficult at first but once you start and be consistent, it will become a habit. Once your body gets used to this, then you can gradually increase the time you hit the sack in small increments.
4. Find Out Who You Really Are
Over time as humans we grow and that results in a change. Personal development and growth are really important and should be right at the top of your focus.
It’s essential to find out who you really are. As you grow, you change, you evolve.
You need to dedicate some time to hang out with yourself, focusing and rethinking different areas of your life. There you can intentionally analyze yourself.
You can set or re-evaluate your goals and follow your growth and improvement. You can lose your essence if you don’t set up a self-care routine that fosters your self-awareness.
Journaling is one form of self care activity that helps you to examine who you really are.
You can look back at old journal entries and make comparisons with the goals you set then with where you are now in life. This way you can see what adjustments you need to make towards self-actualization.
5. Managing Your Emotions
If you don’t have a solid self-care routine you are more likely to fall apart when disappointment, anger or stress comes knocking at your door.
Surely, we’ve all had really tough days. You might be struggling financially or you’ve lost a family member or friend.
This is where a strong self care routine is critical in your arsenal. This will help you manage your emotions and get you through those situations.
When you don’t have one in place it’s really easy for unhealthy habits to consume you.
Things like seeking solace in excessive drinking or smoking. Even going to the extreme by eating too much food or uncontrolled shopping as well as failing to take care of your commitments.
These things don’t help the situation at all. When you have an adaptive strategy to cope with and manage those emotions that life throws at you it will make a world of difference.
Self Care Activities
There are tons of ways that you can get and stay healthy so that you can live a satisfying, happier life.
You and I know that there are lots of self care activities that you can include on a daily basis or if you prefer to have self care sundays. Here are a few to get you started:
- Affirmations
- Go for a walk or run
- Sleep
- Weight Training
- Spend time in nature
- Take a warm bath
- Listen to music
- Read a book
- Have a spa day
- Write in your Journal
- Meditation
- Head to the movies
- Try hiking
- Hit the beach
- Go to the park
- Prayer
- Massages
- Go Biking
- Connect with family
- Dance
- Laughter
- Yoga
- Healthy Wholefoods
- Meet up for coffee or drinks with friends
- Go out to dinner
Video: The Benefits Of Self Care
Conclusion on Key Benefits Of Self Care
You probably think that you don’t have what it takes in terms of time or money to put your health and wellbeing at the very top of your priorities. Don’t believe that lie!
Really, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or even take up too much of your time each and every time.
You can find easy ways to include self care in your daily life so that you can have positivity, peace and progress. Don’t slack on your self care routine come up with a game plan and stick to it.
How have you benefitted from including self care in your daily life? Comment below!
Self-care can be difficult at times but it is so important! Great list thank you for sharing. Reminded me I have a massage coupon I still need to go and do lol.
My favourite way to destress and to have alone time is when I put my earphones in and listen to music. It makes me feel like i’m in my own world and can shut everything off. It’s a wonderful feeling
This is such a great post! I’ve been working a lot on self-care recently so this is definitely a good one for more information on it. <3