Self-care is often ignored and considered less important than other commitments we might be engaged in. Making sure you take time to care for yourself can make a huge impact on your productivity, creativity, and general wellbeing. Although we all lead busy lives and there may not always be enough time to dedicate to self-care, there are certainly ways you can implement this in your lifestyle. These ten tips should help you strike a balance between health and productivity.
1. Identify what self-care is to you
Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to self-care. Figure out what's best for yourself with this quick quiz below. Self-care can look like different things to different people but often involves surrounding yourself with good friends, taking a bike ride, or soaking in a long, hot bath. So figure out what's best for you and don't forget to take care of yourself.
2. Establish a routine
Keep an eye on what makes you feel good and make sure to do it, sticking with it until it becomes part of your everyday life. A new study has shown that people who make time for pleasurable activities like reading, watching movies, or socializing are more likely to be happy. They also feel less stressed and more in control over their lives.
3. Get regular, good quality sleep
Create a sleep routine to ensure you're getting enough high-quality sleep. It's important not to underestimate the benefits of good sleep as it plays a crucial role in your health. Getting enough sleep every night helps your body recover and perform optimally. By implementing a sleep routine, you can give your body the opportunity to do this.
4. Eat a balanced diet
A diet is what you eat and drink during a certain period of time. It is important for your health to make sure you eat the right things and avoid eating too much sugar, soft drinks, and junk food. It's also important to try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible.
5. Exercise regularly
Exercising is great for your physical, mental, and emotional health and should be a part of any self-care routine. People who exercise regularly report feeling happier, more energetic, and more positive than they did before starting. Regular exercise also helps with weight control, reducing the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
6. Learn to say no
It's important to establish boundaries for self-care. Rather than agreeing to everything at work until you get there, practice saying no when you need to take a break or feel overwhelmed.
"No" is one of the most powerful words in your vocabulary.
7. Get organized
Sorting your life out can have a massive impact on your mental health. Try coming up with ways to get organized so you can reduce stress and feel great.
Your mental health is important and you can drastically improve it by getting your life in order. One of the ways to do that is through the simple act of organization. By coming up with a plan and sticking to it, you can feel great about your life and get rid of any stress that has built up over time.
8. De-clutter your environment
Get rid of the rubbish and excess goods in your house; a cleaner, less cluttered space is great for your mental health as it will help to reduce stress levels.
The average person's home is filled with clutter, with most people admitting to having at least one drawer or cupboard that is full of rubbish. A new study has found that living in a tidy house can have a significant impact on reducing stress. After just two weeks of decluttering your home you will notice an increase in energy levels and an overall feeling of being calmer.
9. Schedule time to yourself
It can often feel like we are being pulled in a million different directions. The world is constantly demanding our attention and it can be difficult to take time for ourselves. Schedule time for your self-care so you don’t allow this to be interrupted.
10. Take a break
If things are getting too much, take some time off. It might be taking a few days off work, getting away for the weekend or taking a longer vacation; even if it's just for an hour every day, sometimes you need to step out of your environment in order to get some clarity by getting back into your routine.