In our fast paced world, we often loose sight of what is really important which is taking care of ones self. A consistent self care routine can help us relax, de-stress and maintain both the metal and physical health.
Whether you are new to self care or just wanting to refine your routine. Here is 7 effective self care to help you fin balance and peace in everyday life.
1. Mindful morning rituals
Starting your day with an intention can help you t have a positive outlook on life. A mindfulness morning routine can help you relax before the busy day ahead by giving you clarity ad helping you to stay calm.
Steps to a mindful morning:
Try to stay away from digital life: Lots of us when we first wake up we like to reach for our phones, to only turn off our alarm and get up. But we begin scrolling on countless social media apps seeing what the latest news whilst we were peacefully sleeping. By not using our phone as soon as we wake up we don’t abruptly get our brain ready to start the day, instead it is a gradual wake up.
Getting sunlight: Sunlight is a crucial factor in waking up in a mindful way as direct sunlight has many benefits. not only does it produce vitamin D which helps with our immune system and bone health.
Also it helps with alertness as morning light boosts the cognitive brain function and the next sleep patterns that you have, making your night sleep better. Therefore, sunlight is the best natural form of a mood booster.
Journaling or deep breathing: By doing any of these practises in the morning can help immensely with boosting your mood to start the day.
With journaling write down an affirmation that you want your day to project. For example, “I a confident” this will help you believe in yourself and avoid self criticism. Deep breathing can induce a relaxed state of mind, low blood pressure and can increase brain chemistry to make your mind sharper.
Hydration: Hydration in the morning is essential as part of self-care because it kickstarts your metabolism, flushes out toxins accumulated overnight, and replenishes fluids lost during sleep.
Drinking water first thing in the morning energizes the body, supports cognitive function, and aids digestion, setting a positive tone for the day. Proper hydration also helps maintain skin elasticity, promoting a healthy complexion. Starting your day with water ensures that your body operates efficiently, keeping you alert, focused, and ready to tackle the day’s challenges. It’s a simple yet powerful way to care for your overall well-being.
2. Regular physical activity
Regular physical activity can help all aspects of your mental and physical being. improving cardiovascular health, muscle tone, boosts mood and reduces stress.
Choose activities you enjoy: this is very important to keep up a regular routine, as by not choosing something we enjoy this can lead to us feeling like exercise is a task. When we stay active a chemical gets released in our brain that naturally makes us happier. there for exercise is very important for self care.
Set realistic goals and mix it up: Whilst doing activities try not to set goals that may be out of reach in the time frame you have. Thinking that by the end of the year “I will be an Olympian” is quite a stretch to complete in a year give it 4 years that may be possible if you are consistent.
Trying to mix up what activities you do can help with keeping exercise exciting try to combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training into your weekly routine. Exercises such as running or swimming, lifting weights and doing Pilates.
Stay consistent: Make being active a non negotiable part of your weekly schedule.
3. Prioritizing sleep:
Sleep is a vital component of self-care that is often overlooked. Quality sleep allows your body to repair itself, supports brain function, and helps maintain emotional balance. Without enough rest, you’re more susceptible to stress, anxiety, and a host of physical ailments.
How to improve sleep hygiene:
Establish a sleep routine and limit screen time: Try to go to bed at similar times on the weekdays and weekends as this will help regulate your body clock and will boost your energy.
Screen time before bed can be very damaging to the quality of sleep that we get as blue light can interfere with the melatonin production in our brains. Setting down any technology about 1 hour before bed can help you to feel refreshed the next day.
Create a sleep inducing environment and wind down: Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Develop a pre-sleep routine, such as reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation exercises.
By prioritizing sleep, you enhance your cognitive function, emotional stability, and overall health, making it a critical aspect of any self-care routine.
4. Nourishing your body with whole foods:
What you put into your body has a direct impact on how you feel both physically and mentally. A diet rich in whole foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—provides the nutrients your body needs to function optimally.
Tips for Nourishing Your Body:
- Meal Planning: Prepare balanced meals in advance to avoid unhealthy choices when you’re busy.
- Mindful Eating: Take time to savor your meals, focusing on taste, texture, and the nourishment you’re receiving.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, aiming for at least eight glasses.
- Limit Processed Foods: Reduce your intake of sugar, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats.
By fuelling your body with the right foods, you’ll have more energy, better mental clarity, and a stronger immune system, all of which contribute to overall well-being.
5. Embracing mindfulness and meditation:
Mindfulness and meditation are very important in self care as this can help you to stay present, reduce stress and cultivate a deeper connection with ones self. By practising this encourages self awareness and ca improve the overall quality of life.
Start small: Do not expect your first meditation to be easy. you will get distracted by the thoughts running through your head, it can be quite challenging to get into a state of mind where you must think of nothing.
Instead try and start small doing a 5 minute meditation to get yourself into the feel of relaxing the body and mind.
Use guided meditations: guided meditations are very helpful to get started with your meditation journey as it can be very hard to have that inner voice in your head and it is best to learn the basics of getting yourself into a meditative state.
During guided meditations you will learn about the correct way to breath to calm yourself down, how to relax your body and to envision yourself during different parts of life.
Mindful moment: Try to use the meditation practises in your daily activities such as listening to high vibrational music the next time you take a walk, clean or do yoga. high vibrational music can be found in Ariana grandes music Successful and Just like magic.
Repeating affirmations such as “I am confident” into a mirror will help you to believe that want you want is possible by breaking through the conscious mind to the subconscious, where everything manifests itself.
Conclusion
Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for leading a balanced and fulfilling life. By incorporating these five self-care routines into your daily life, you’ll not only improve your physical health but also enhance your mental and emotional well-being. Remember, self-care is a journey, not a destination. Start small, be consistent, and most importantly, be kind to yourself as you nurture your body, mind, and spirit.
With these practices, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your life into one filled with peace, purpose, and joy.
it all starts with self love
-M
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