In school, we’re taught how to add and subtract and how to read, but not really how to take care of ourselves emotionally, mentally, and yes, physically. Self-care can be as essential key to survival, especially during our more difficult times, so it’s important to be prepared ahead of time. Here are a few suggestions to help you integrate more self-care practices into your own life.
A Clean Space
When was the last time you took a good, hard look around your living space? Many of us don’t set aside time to seriously deep clean, so we end up with mountains of laundry on a chair in one corner and our dishes in a pile in our sink — at least that’s how my home sometimes looks. One particular study found that people with cleaner homes were often healthier than people with messy homes.
If you’re hoping to use self-care to steer yourself toward a healthier path, cleaning up your space could be a step in the right direction. For some people, cleaning can even be therapeutic. If this task seems daunting at first, try to start with a small area, like your desk, first and see how that feels. Taking care of one small task can give you the momentum you need to keep up your cleaning spree.
Silence is Golden
Sometimes, amidst the constant noise of our perpetually connected world, all we need is some quiet time for our minds to power down. Getting quiet often helps me achieve greater inner peace, which helps me remain grounded during heightened periods of stress in my life.
There are plenty of ways to bring more silence into your life. For example, some people find the practice of forest bathing rejuvenating. Forest bathing is the simple of act of immersing oneself in nature, taking in the surroundings and engaging the senses. Whether it’s in a local park or out on a longer hike, there’s no wrong way to enjoy nature.
Another way some people achieve inner calm is through meditation. For beginners who are new to the practice, there are a number of apps out there that can guide you through it. The benefits of meditation are many, and you can practice it anywhere, which makes it a particularly useful self-care tool.
D.I.Y. Your T.L.C.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that help put us at ease. Taking care of our bodies is just as important as taking care of our minds. Here are some ways you can do both in the comfort of your own home:
- Apply a face mask to clear your skin.
- Take a bubble bath with candles and your favorite scented soap.
- Give yourself a manicure and pedicure.
- Journal and write about your feelings.
- Make your favorite meal or order take-out.
- Watch your favorite comedy and laugh.
- Call someone you love to catch up and get support.
We can get so busy sometimes that self-care often falls to the bottom of our to-do list, but it’s important we make time for it as often as we can. The world is a better place when people show up at their best. I hope that you will find a way to integrate at least one of these self-care ideas into your life.
