Daily practices like proper nutrition, strong sleep habits and positive goal-setting can promote self-care. While these practices make up the basis of self-care, it’s important to remember that self-care looks slightly different for everyone. You might prefer listening to music and doodling, while someone else may relieve stress by going to the gym. Another person’s self-care routine might include a combination of these things.
The idea of self-care is to find things that soothe you or bring joy. In this self-care 101 guide, we cover various tips for staying physically and mentally in shape. We invite you to keep reading for several self-care practices to try.
Why Is Self-Care Important?
Knowing how to take care of yourself is vital for brain and body health. Good self-care involves activities that improve your physical and mental well-being, thus boosting your overall quality and enjoyment of life. Self-care is an excellent way to:
- Reduce stress, anxiety and burnout.
- Lower your risk of physical and mental illness.
- Improve mood, self-esteem and confidence.
- Increase energy.
- Help you sleep better.
- Build strong relationships.
- Embrace and adapt to change.
- Recover from setbacks.
Finding the right self-care activities might take some time and patience, but the enjoyment and benefits they provide are worth the journey. Below, we’ll cover some fantastic self-care tips you can try independently and with others. You might discover one or more activities from this list that are right up your alley!
6 Self-Care Practices to Consider
When practicing self-care, many people select activities based on their personal goals, interests, hobbies or general things that bring them comfort and peace. If you need ideas for self-care, browse this list to collect some inspiration.
1. Create a Workout Routine
Physical activity is easily one of the best tips for self-care. Exercise can be as low-impact or intense as you want it to be, so create a fitness routine that works for you. Carve some time for exercise into your schedule, jotting down workout days, rest days and activities to try. You can visit a local gym, go outdoors or exercise from the comfort of your home. Some good workouts include the following:
- Running, walking or jogging
- Swimming or water aerobics
- Cycling
- Stretching and yoga
- Lifting weights
- Pilates
2. Prioritize Sleep
A good night’s sleep makes a world of difference in mood, energy levels and stress relief. Creating a solid bedtime routine can help you relax and sleep more soundly through the night. Whether you deal with insomnia or want to create better slumber habits, you can try these methods before turning in for the night:
- Set a regular bedtime: Consistency is key when building a regular sleep routine. Establish a clear bedtime and aim to stick to it. Go to bed at the same time each night and try to wake up at the same time each morning.
- Put away electronic devices: The National Sleep Foundation advises people to stop using electronic devices at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Turn off your phone, computer, television, tablet or other devices when winding down for bedtime. Consider removing them from the room altogether if they’re a temptation.
- Create a soothing environment: Dim the lights, set your room to a comfortable temperature, and grab comfy blankets and pillows. You can also try putting on some soft music, drinking a hot cup of decaffeinated tea, or reading a book before bedtime to induce sleepiness.
3. Eat Healthily
Consuming nutrient-rich foods is another great way to implement self-care. A balanced diet can boost immunity, aid in digestive function, lower cancer and heart disease risk, and improve mood. Try to work the following nutritious foods and beverages into your diet:
- Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli
- Berries like raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries
- Whole grains like oatmeal, granola, brown rice, quinoa, cereal and bread
- Fish like salmon, herring, trout, cod and sardines
- Organic yogurt
- Beans and lentils
- Smoothies with fruit, greens or protein
- Low-fat or fat-free milk
- Water
- Hibiscus or green tea
4. Spend Time Outdoors
Finding ways to connect with nature is one of the best suggestions for self-care. Spending time outdoors reduces heart rate, stress, muscle tension and cortisol. Spending time outdoors may include anything from reading a book on your porch to hiking in the mountains — as long as you are outside, that’s what counts! Check out these fun and relaxing outdoor excursions:
- A walk through a park or garden
- Hiking in a state park or forest
- Outdoor photography
- Bird-watching
- A picnic
- Camping
- Rock climbing
- Boating, kayaking or canoeing
5. Journal
Positive thinking and reinforcement are instrumental in self-care. Research shows that journaling provides an array of mental health benefits, like reduced stress and anxiety. It can improve self-confidence, creativity, emotional intelligence, communication skills, critical thinking and memory.
Journaling is a healthy outlet for your thoughts. Take some time each day to sit down and write about your current emotions, things that happened that day and how these events made you feel. Jot down some positive self-affirmations and encouraging words to build confidence in yourself.
You can also write down some goals you’d like to set and achieve, such as exercising more, eating healthier, traveling or making more time for loved ones. Writing is a relaxing way to map out your thoughts, feelings and things you want to accomplish.
6. Build a Support System
While getting plenty of “me time” is important, surrounding yourself with people you love and trust is just as essential for your health and well-being. Humans naturally crave social interaction. Strong relationships reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, depression and anxiety. They also build self-esteem, empathy and trust.
Establish a strong support foundation of friends, family members, co-workers and other people you can rely on. Make time to enjoy fun outings together, such as going out to dinner, hiking, shopping or exercising. You should also feel comfortable reaching out to these individuals for practical help and emotional support.
Having friends and family you can count on is integral for self-care. There may also be times when you need professional guidance and support. A counselor can help you find and practice ways to care for your mental, physical and emotional health.
Contact Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates for Encouragement
Many of these self-care ideas are easy to try on your own. In some instances, however, pursuing counseling might be the best option for your health and well-being. If you need compassionate therapy services to guide you through the stresses and challenges of everyday life, Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates is only a call or message away.
While our counseling center is situated in Andover, Massachusetts, we also offer teletherapy video conferencing so you can access our services from anywhere. Our wide array of services includes anxiety counseling, depression therapy, stress management and more.
Whatever obstacles you’re dealing with, our skilled and caring clinicians are ready to help you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!