Make yourself a priority. Rest, recharge & reset
What is self-care?
Self-care is our new favourite buzzword – and for the right reasons. Put simply, it’s all about taking care of number one – we mean you! Self-care activities can help to cut down everyday stress, maintain a healthy work life balance and to help you refocus. Prioritise your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing – it’s important.
When can I fit self-care into my routine?
We get it. You’re crazy busy and when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, the last thing on your mind is setting time aside for self-care. The great news is that there’s no right or perfect way. It’s completely up to you. It can be as simple as taking five minutes out of your day or whatever fits into your schedule allowing you to make time for yourself.
Although self-care means different things to different people, here are five great ways to take some time for you.
Move your body
Exercise is a key part of self-care as it helps to reduce stress and lift your mood. If running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities you can do in the garden or living room. Yoga, HIT training or gentle stretching can all be done in the comfort of your own home. Remember, any exercise is better than no exercise. Even a 10 minute walk can help to clear your mind and help you relax. It’s important to find something you enjoy and create a routine that works.
Unplug & be in the moment
Move over FOMO, it’s all about JOMO – the joy of missing out. With hundreds, or even thousands of connections on our social media platforms, it’s so easy to get swept up and be envious of what our friends and family are doing. A continual stream of information so readily available can sometimes be a little too much. Set time aside each day to disconnect from the technological world and just be in the moment. Switch everything to airplane mode and use your time to go for a walk or read that new book you’ve been meaning to start. Embrace your alone time and be happy with just where you are.
Sweet dreams
If you’re waking up in the morning tired and spend your day dreaming about going back to bed for a quick nap, it's likely you're not getting enough sleep. Getting by on a small amount of sleep shouldn’t be celebrated as an achievement. Ever. Most of us need around eight hours of good-quality sleep a night, some people may need more and some less. Try to stick to a consistent sleep routine, and avoid bright phone or TV screens within one-to-two hours of going to bed. Yes, that new true crime documentary will still be available tomorrow.
Recognise your achievements
To-do lists are a great way to organise your day, but make sure to recognise what you have managed to tick off and reflect on what you have achieved. Did you help out a friend? Complete an important task at work? Even celebrating small successes will help to keep you motivated and energised.
You glow girl
Who doesn’t love a little pamper session every now and again? Treat yourself and book in for an appointment at your local beauty salon or have a cosy evening at home. Stretched for time? Try an overnight face mask, to make yourself feel great even with a busy schedule!
The best kind of self-care is what works for you – don’t put it off or wait until the weekend to get going, start today and be consistent! There are lots of simple yet effective ways to do so without having to take a lot of time out of your day. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for it later.
