Self care isn’t about indulgence, it’s actually a crucial aspect of health and well-being. However, our busy lifestyles make it easy to neglect taking care of ourselves.
Self care has been found to offer a variety of health benefits. For example, self care can prevent overload or burnout, reduce the negative effects of stress, and help you refocus your energy. Self care can take shape in many ways, for example getting a massage or simply taking a walk through your favorite park.
Stress is a normal part of life, however, too much stress is harmful to your health. Chronic stress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping – just to name a few. Emotional health can also take a toll from chronic stress. It’s important to value yourself as well as convey to others that you and your needs are important.
Go Ahead, Indulge A Little
Self-care techniques don’t always have to be indulgent, but there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself! From creating an at-home spa day to schedule in more time for sleep, you can’t go wrong. Whatever you do for self care, the goal is to take a few moments and appreciate yourself. If your needs aren’t met, how can you meet the needs of others?
Self care can take any form you choose. I definitely encourage you to indulge in a professional massage once in a while, but I understand this isn’t the most budget-friendly form of self care, which is why I have tons of techniques to share with you that won’t break the bank.
Better Health in Just Days!
My goal is to help you slow down and take the time to show yourself some love. Self care is about focusing your energy and reminding you to live in the current moment. No matter how you choose to do this, you will be rewarded with the many benefits self care has to offer!
Slowing down can actually help you become more productive. When you notice your to-do list growing, it’s time to add yourself to the top of that list. Taking even just a few moments for yourself will help you re-center and re-prioritize your energy. You can achieve better health with just a few moments a day. No matter what form your self care takes, you will be better equipped to manage stress and get more out of your day.
Are you ready to find out how to brush away toxins?
You heard that right. A hairbrush is a pretty standard household item, but what about a body brush?
Well after you read this, you might go out and get one!
With the skin being the body’s largest organ, it’s no wonder it has a big job to do. Outside of protecting our internal organs, regulating our temperature, and sensing pain, the body also serves as a conduit for absorbing and releasing environmental nutrients and hazards. This is where body brushing can help. By dry brushing the body, you can help stimulate the lymphatic system to expedite the excretion of toxins that can otherwise build up in the body.
To try this yourself, you’ll need a brush with natural bristles. Before you get into the bath or shower, dry brush your entire body, starting at your feet and brushing each area with ten smooth strokes up toward the center of the body.
If brushing hurts in any way, you are applying too much pressure. It should feel wonderful and leave your body soft and glowing.
“When you take the time to cleanse your physical body of accumulated stress and toxicity, you are rewarded with increased vitality and optimal health.”
~Debbie Ford
What is your beauty routine?
Are you looking for a wrinkle reducer without breaking the bank?
We all are! The good news is that there are many effective treatments for you to try at home that can be found in the produce section at your local grocery store.
Sound too good to be true?
Well, give one of these treatments a try to see for yourself:
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a wrinkle buster. Put a slice of orange over each eye, lay back for 10 minutes, and let the orange work its magic! - Almond Oil
Almond oil is vitamin E rich, which is excellent for giving your skin a lift. Massage a small amount of almond oil into your skin for 10 minutes a day, and start seeing results. - Honey
Honey is a great skin firmer. Add honey to a bit of plain yogurt and apply it to your face for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and enjoy a fresh face!
Get ready to feel radiant!
“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.”
~Rashida Jones
Why an apple a day?
We’ve all heard the age-old proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but do you know why apples come so highly recommended?
Well, because they are packed with tasty nutrients!
See for yourself:
- Vitamin C
This powerful natural antioxidant is great for blocking some of the damage caused by free radicals. It is also known to boost the body’s resistance to infections. - B-Complex (riboflavin, thiamin, and vitamin B-6)
These vitamins are responsible for keeping your red blood cells and the nervous system in tip-top health. - Dietary Fiber
A diet high in fiber helps to prevent the development of certain diseases, and it has been shown to help prevent the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood from rising. - Phytonutrients
These nutrients help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an apple a day! (Here’s another great option for healthy snacking: avocado!)
“Each patient carries his own doctor inside him.” ~Norman Cousin
Plan to stay active
It happens to the best of us. We work hard to stay on track with our exercise – it doesn’t matter what movement or activity as long as we are feeling good – but then there’s that weekend getaway, or the flu, or just a sluggish week, and boom! we’re off track and feeling sluggish about getting back on board with our routine. Sound familiar?
What’s important is not how you fell off, but that you get back on. Here are some great ways to get back on the exercise wagon or movement train:
- Take it Easy
The first step to getting back on the wagon is to not be too hard on yourself. We all have those high points, and with highpoints, we have to expect some low points. - Start Slowly
Get back up to speed by starting slowly with one workout at a time, one day at a time. - Buddy Power
Get some added support from a workout buddy or walking partner, someone who can help you stay on track, or keep you accountable. - Clean Sweep
Clean out the not-so-healthy foods in your refrigerator and pantry and replace them with healthier options to banish those snack cravings.
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Do you love your TV too much?
When it comes to television watching, how would you rate yourself? Do you watch every day, several hours a day? If so, you are not alone. In fact, 99% of households in the United States have at least one television, so most of us are spending at least some time watching television. A little watching is fine, but if you are spending more than two hours a day in front of the tube, you may want to consider cutting back.
It may seem harmless to spend your hours of relaxation catching up on your favorite shows; after all, you work hard, right? But consider these few changes for a healthier lifestyle:
- Less Sitting
Many of us already spend at least seven hours a day sitting at a desk working, so limiting the amount of time you sit at home is a good thing for your health, posture, and overall well-being. - Healthier Mind
Extended periods of time watching television can actually cause changes in your brain chemistry that can lead to weaker brain function and other neurological problems. - More Time
Days fly by with our busy lifestyles, and sometimes it may even feel like there is not enough time in the day to fit everything in, but chances are, we could all find a little more time in the day if we cut back on the screen time including handheld devices, computers, and watching television.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ~Nelson Mandela
Are you getting enough sleep?
How do you define adequate sleep, and what does that look like for you? The amount of sleep adults get each night varies, but according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should be sleeping eight solid hours each night. Yet, nearly 40 million Americans suffer from some level of sleep disorder or disturbance each year.
That’s a shocking statistic considering how important sleep is for proper brain function. The problem for many of us is that we don’t value sleep enough to make it a priority. For instance, you wouldn’t miss a meeting to binge watch television all day, would you? But many people will stay up late doing just that instead of getting the sleep they need.
Take care of yourself by making sleep as important as your other daily priorities. The best way to do this is to create a bedtime schedule and stick to it. Try waking and going to sleep at the same time each night. Consider trying some of the following tips to help you fall asleep:
- Do not eat a meal or have alcohol at least 3 hours before sleep
- No caffeine after 2 pm
- Limit exercise to at least 2 hours before bed
- Do not use a computer, phone, or tablet in bed
- Try some relaxing breathing exercises
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ~Arthur Ashe
What would you tell your future self?
Do you ever imagine conversations with your future self?
Often we rely on our elders, friends, and parents when seeking advice for those big life moments and decisions, which is great, but what about also finding your own advice?
Consider this:
From where you stand today, write your future self a letter with some words of wisdom, an instruction, or a bit of advice, and then drop it in the mailbox, or choose to send it at a later date…to yourself!
Maybe you tell yourself to stop what you are doing and head to the spa, or to a bookstore to buy yourself a book. Perhaps you ask questions that pertain to a goal to see how far you’ve come. Or maybe you reaffirm your confidence by telling yourself how amazing you are.
Whatever you choose, think about where you are now, and what would make you feel good, provoke some thoughts, and help your future self.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” ~Thomas A. Edison
Give yourself the care you deserve
While we all can’t go running to the spa every time we could use a little self care, however, there are some treatments you can do at home to give you the feeling of being at the spa, minus the price tag.
Try one or all of these relaxing “spa” treatments:
- Lemon Water
Make yourself a pitcher of lemon water with fresh mint to treat your senses. - Music
Put on your favorite tunes. This might be something calm and relaxing, or it might be that album from high school that you still secretly love. - Candles
Light a few beeswax candles in your bathroom for your bath. The light of candles is naturally calming. - Hot Bath
Okay, so you may not be able to get that spa day massage at your home “spa,” but you can have the next best thing: a nice relaxing bath with aromatic bath salt. Click here for a simple bath salt recipe. - Foot Soak
A calming foot soak is great before that mani-pedi. And it is as easy as pouring warm water into a bowl with Epsom salt, olive oil, and your favorite essential oil. Try this foot mask and feel refreshed! - Mani-Pedi
Pamper yourself with a manicure for your fingers and toes! Just sit back and enjoy the pampering. - Mask
Create a natural DIY mask to smooth and soften your skin.
“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace.”
~Nikki Rowe
What self-care techniques are you going to try first? Comment below – I look forward to hearing about your experience!
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