Self-care is a necessity in the modern day. Taking good care of yourself will help improve every aspect of your life, including your physical and mental health, relationships, and career.
Looking after number one is in no way selfish, and is actually the best way to support others. A good relationship with yourself will soon brighten every other relationship you have, and promote all kinds of positive effects.
When it comes to self-care, there are many different areas to focus on, all of which contribute to your overall well being. While it is important that we keep up with our routines, it’s important to regularly test our practices. Creating new routines and improving on existing ones helps us to grow and to learn what works best for us.
After a challenging year, 2021 is a greater time than any to switch up your self-care plan, upgrade it and focus more on yourself. Here are five ways you can improve your regime.
1. Take advantage of the great outdoors
With the pandemic forcing most of us to stay indoors, avoid social contact and work from home, your day might be lacking in the fresh air that you previously took for granted. However, working from home does not mean you cannot step outside.
Eat breakfast in the morning sun, take your weights session to the garden, or spend your lunch break in the local park. A recent study suggested that a 20-minute park visit improved life satisfaction.
Fresh air has many health benefits and can help to boost your productivity when you return to the desk. Regular breaks can also help to prevent headaches and migraines caused by muscle tension.
2. Move more
If you’re struggling to fit a regular fitness routine into your busy work schedule, there are smaller steps you can take to incorporate movement into your day.
For instance, take a work call while out on a power walk, throw in a 15-minute stretch class instead of a coffee break (you’ll reap the benefits.) or turn dinner time into an evening dance class while cooking. There are lots of ways to add movement to your day, even while stuck at home.
3. Do something you enjoy
It’s easy for the day to disappear from work, conference calls and cooking meals. A day at home can be tiresome, resulting in a late-night binge of the latest Netflix series. It can all get a bit monotonous, and therefore it is important to find time for yourself to do the things you enjoy. Finding a balance between being professional and fun can have many benefits.
When was the last time you read a good book, picked up your guitar, or tried your hand at songwriting? Whatever your passion, or creative area you would like to explore, now is the time to do it. Planning time for yourself to enjoy is just as important as meeting work deadlines.
4. Switch up your beauty routine
A report carried out by Mintel into beauty and personal care found that incorporating a regular beauty routine can help to fight stress and anxiety. The same report found that a global trend for beauty and personal care is centred around wellbeing. Consumers are shopping more consciously, with a greater interest in ethical products.
Purchasing more environmentally-friendly products can help us to feel like we are helping in some way. This in turn makes us feel good about ourselves. This doesn’t mean an overhaul of your entire bathroom cupboard or that you must throw away your current skincare products, but it could be a good idea to begin researching alternative products. That way, you can make a more conscious decision when the time comes. Making small changes can lead to big results.
5. Prioritize self-care
Your calendar is likely jam-packed with meetings, deadlines and Zoom calls. Setting a date and time in your calendar or diary helps you not only to remember the event but to prioritize it when making further plans.
So, why not start scheduling in your self-care times? Whether it’s an evening yoga session, a weekly body exfoliation or a fortnightly intensive face mask, add the activities to your diary. You’ll find it easier to make them happen, and won’t forget about spending time with you.
Giving these five tips a try will update and refresh your self-care routine. It’s easy to follow the same methods day to day, but it is beneficial to make changes every once in a while to keep your body and mind motivated.
