When was the last time you took an hour for yourself?
Can you even remember? Between long hours at work, time for family, weekend chores and social calendar your schedule is overflowing. It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. It may seem honorable to put everyone and everything first, but the truth is, neglecting yourself doesn’t do anyone any good.
We all know what they say on airplanes… In the event of an emergency, put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting somebody else. This doesn’t just apply to emergency situations on a flight, self-care should always be on top of your to-do list, no matter what else is happening in your life.
If you want to be healthier, happier and more successful than you’ve ever been, you need to listen to your own needs and feed and nourish your body and soul. Just as we show compassion to others, it is absolutely necessary to show ourselves the same level of kindness and remember that we need to take a break and take care of ourselves.
It may seem inconvenient or even self-indulgent to add self-care to your daily schedule, but ‘me time’ will allow us to lower our stress level and be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Research has shown that if self-care is part of our daily routine, we can increase productivity, inspire happiness, improve mental focus, reduce stress and decrease the chance of physical ailments.
So make self-care a part of your daily routine. And because we know that for a lot of us it may be easier said than done, we’ve put together our TOP 10 ways to self-care.
#1 Eat Healthier
Oftentimes, eating healthy goes out the door, if we forget to take care of ourselves. We eat at the desk while finishing up that project with a fast approaching deadline, answering emails and checking our social media feed. So instead, take a break and enjoy the pure experience of a nourishing meal. Would you work if you had dinner with your friends? That’s what we thought… so treat yourself with the same level of respect and allow yourself the time to indulge in your meal without any distractions.
#2 Unplug
Most emails, phone calls, social media or text message don’t need your immediate attention. While some of it can be fun, all of it is a huge distraction without adding much value to your life. So dedicate some time every day to unplug from your smart phone, laptop and tablet and just enjoy spending time with a friend, reading a book or listening to your favorite music. If this sounds crazy to you, give it a try for just an hour every day and it will sound normal to you in no time.
#3 Exercise
Sweating it out and having a great workout is a huge mood booster and should be part of your daily self-care plan. We all know that exercise lowers stress levels and releases endorphins, which make you instantly feel energized and euphoric. And if you work out around other people, you will also get a sense of community that gives you a bonding experience, while you do something good for your body. Find an exercise routine you enjoy and put it on your calendar in ink like you would an important meeting and make sure that you stay committed to it.
#4 Meditate
While Eastern cultures have practiced meditation as part of their self-care ritual for centuries, it has just recently become more popular in our Western world. Research has even found out that meditation can restore cells and transform your DNA. So find a quiet spot where you can sit or lie down and just focus on your breath and the pleasure of being alive. If meditation is part of your daily routine, you are a lot better equipped to handle stressful situations and you’ll have the ability to tune in to what really matters.
#5 Sleep
There are lots of reasons to not get enough sleep. Whether it’s a wild night out with your friends, a late night at the office or just catching up on your favorite Netflix show, but the problem is, if you sabotage your sleep and don’t get enough Zzz’s, you can hurt your productivity, compromise healthy eating, increase stress and anxiety levels and you may even increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. If you prioritize your sleep though, you will be a lot healthier, happier and productive. If you can’t get enough sleep at night, make sure you get in a nap during your lunch break.
#6 Spend Time in Nature
A lot of times we can build up stress because we don’t get enough time outside. Being in nature can keep us grounded and connected with ourselves. If you feel the sunshine on your skin, you may get an instant boost of energy and the sun will remind you of the pleasure of being alive. If we get too caught up in our busy lives we easily forget that nature provides powerful healing properties.
#7 Try Aromatherapy
Using essential oils and incorporating aromatherapy in your self-care practice will automatically trigger a deep, peaceful response that lowers your stress levels. It is believed that in addition to relieving stress, aromatherapy can also help to strengthen your immune system. The most well-known fragrance to relieve stress is lavender, but experiment with different scents and see what helps you take the edge off. Research suggests that citrus – orange in particular – can also help reduce anxiety and stress and rosemary may boost your memory. Aromatherapy can stimulate your brain to release chemicals that help fight infection and induce a stress-free state of mind.
#8 Get a Massage
Whether you book an appointment at a spa or ask your partner for a massage, getting a massage is an excellent self-care practice to get rid of stress and transport you to a place of complete relaxation and bliss. While massages work out any kinks in your body, they can also get rid of emotional and mental tension, leaving you with a wealth of physical and psychological benefits. You deserve to de-stress and feel vibrant, so book your next massage today! And if you are in the NYC area, try Joschi’s Tantric Yogassage.
#9 Hug Someone
We are big huggers. A warm embrace from someone is simply one of the most powerful self-care practices that can reduce stress and remind you of all the positive things life has to offer. Hugging is such a powerful self-care practice because it increases the production of oxytocin – the ‘love hormone’ – that makes you feel comforted, welcome and loved. In addition, a hug can get rid of any tension you may be feeling and can lower your blood pressure as well as slow down your heart rate.
#10 Spend Time by Yourself
Everybody is different, but we believe that while it’s important to spend quality time with the people you love, it is just as important to spend some time alone and just be with yourself. Take a bubble bath, read a good book, just relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in your favorite spot… Whatever makes you feel like yourself and tune out the world, is a great way to practice self-care. And remember… it is not selfish, it’s an important investment in yourself to regain some balance.
These are just a few ideas to practice self-care, we could go on and on… The important thing is, don’t ignore taking care of yourself. Self-care is totally necessary to improve your overall mental and physical health by boosting self-esteem, keeping stress levels in check and providing balance. Include daily self-care as an essential part of your healthy lifestyle and you will see that you are happier, healthier and more in tune with yourself.
GIVE YOURSELF A DAILY DOSE OF COMPASSION
Joschi & Monika
#BoldNaked