Contrary to popular belief, practicing self-care shouldn’t just occur when the kids finally fall asleep or your other timely, everyday tasks are completed. Instead, self-care should be something that you incorporate into your daily rituals. That way, you can balance your “me time” with your day-to-day activities.
While it may sound like a simple thing to do, many of us tend to let self-care practices fall wayside. This leads us to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and just plain exhausted.
Simple sips of self-care to incorporate in your everyday life
Luckily, finding time for mindful moments throughout the day doesn’t have to be so difficult. There are many ways to incorporate self-care activities into your everyday life. Read on to find out how!
1. Follow a Basic Skincare Routine
One way to incorporate self-care into your everyday routine is to practice good skincare. Splurging on some new skincare products and establishing an effective regimen not only serves to support your skin—the body’s largest organ— but also your ability to fit “me time” in your schedule, even on your busy days.
When it comes to following basic skincare routines that benefit your skin, there are two critically important factors to keep in mind: your skin type and your products. Understanding your skin type is fundamental for choosing the right skincare treatments for your complexion. Incompatible products can often strip your skin of its natural oils or lead to worsened skin conditions.
Dehydrated, fine skin, for example, doesn’t always mean that one has a sensitive or dry skin type. Instead, these characteristics can also be signs of matured, aging skin. This means a gentle cleanser and a thick moisturizer isn’t necessarily going to cut it. In most cases, those with matured skin will benefit the most from using an anti-aging treatment that’s specifically designed to combat fine lines and wrinkles.
If you’re not sure which products to use or which steps to follow in your skincare routine, don’t panic! You can always turn to a healthcare professional to find the right regimen to support your skin. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
2. Unplug for a While
After a long day, it seems routine to hop on social media when you finally have some time to yourself. Sure, this may seem like a relaxing way to unwind and reconnect with the people you love. However, devoting your free time to mindless scrolling through your social media isn’t good for your mental and physical well-being.
Apart from keeping you from real, physical activities, social media’s constant use can wreak havoc on mental health. From increasing feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation, social media has adverse effects on a person’s health and happiness. As reported by the health professionals at McLean Hospital:
“Social media has a reinforcing nature. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities such as sex, food, and social interaction. The platforms are designed to be addictive and are associated with anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments.”
For this reason, it’s a good idea to unplug for a while. Regardless if it’s for twenty minutes or two hours, make a point to turn off your electronic devices at night. Fill your downtime performing a self-care practice that’s more meaningful to your mind-body connection.
3. Go Outside!
Whether you get some exercise by going for a walk, hike, run, or engage in a leisurely activity like sitting on the front porch or lying in the grass, go outside! Allowing yourself to take part in this self-care practice— if only for a few minutes— will make it more effortless to prioritize yourself and your overall well-being. Therefore, bringing you one step closer to achieving inner peace.
Going out in nature allows you to tune in with yourself and feel more connected to the world around you. As a result, studies have found that this simple self-care practice works to relieve anxiety, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function.
See it for yourself! Try your best to get outside at least once a day. It doesn’t matter if it’s first thing in the morning or at night— mother nature has no limits! You can read, run, stargaze, or try journaling— whatever you’re feeling up to that day! Remember, this time is all about what you want to do.
No matter what you decide to do while you’re out there, spending time outdoors will give you a chance to get some fresh air, dedicate time to yourself, and enjoy the beauty that mother nature has to offer!
4. Stretch Your Muscles
When you’re usually on-the-go or experience high levels of stress or anxiety, your body naturally responds by tensing up, causing most of you to feel strain or soreness in your muscles. Although we’ve all likely felt this at one point or another, the regularity of this bodily pain isn’t something to overlook, as this can lead to more severe health problems. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate stretching into your daily routine.
Stretching may not seem like a self-care practice, but when you consider all of the advantages it offers on both your physical and mental well-being, it’s easy to see the positive impact it can have on your everyday life.
Regularly stretching can help improve posture and flexibility, relax the mind, prevent bodily injuries from occurring in the future, release tension, and more! Getting into the habit of stretching your muscles a few times a day will be of value to you in more ways than one.
This doesn’t mean you have to join a yoga class or anything, either— though you certainly can if you’d like! However, suppose you’re not quite ready to make that commitment. In that case, you can always learn new stretching exercises from the comfort of your own by downloading a stretching and flexibility app on your electronic device or purchasing a stretching handbook for beginners.
Self Care to Incorporate in Your Everyday Life
Self care isn’t about overindulgence all the time. It is about recharging yourself so you can be the best you possible. Make sure to keep scrolling out our website for more great tips!
