Self-care isn’t about being selfish; it’s about taking time to care for your needs. By putting yourself first from time to time, you’re making it easier to maintain good mental health by reducing stress. If you want to get started with self-care but don’t know how, Your Family Clinic shares some self-care tips and tricks for you everyday.
Wear Comfortable Clothes as Often as Possible
Many people spend their days in clothing that isn’t the most fun to wear. Formal office environments often require suit-and-tie level attire, which isn’t known for its coziness. Similarly, many work uniforms aren’t just lacking in style; they’re lacking in comfort, too.
That’s why the right clothing can serve as self-care. By choosing comfortable and stylish options – like some fantastic new loungewear – you’re ready for whatever is planned for your day. Plus, when you look and feel good, you’re more confident. From running errands and keeping up with the kids to kicking back at the end of a long day, you’ll have an outfit that works.
Go for a Quick Mindful Walk to Unwind
Mindful walking can be a great form of self-care. Along with getting you some exercise and allowing you to spend time outdoors – giving you a boost of vitamin D – it encourages you to appreciate the experience. That makes it far more relaxing and meaningful.
While being able to stroll for 30 minutes five days a week is often considered best for overall health, that doesn’t mean you can’t get mental health benefits with shorter durations. Even a mindful walk to the mailbox or around the block can make a difference, giving you a chance to recharge.
Whip Your House into Shape
Helping yourself and your family overcome feelings of negativity can be a form of self-care, making your home a happier place. In some cases, those bad feelings stem from stress relating to the house. Motherly points out that clutter can lead to anxiety. Plus, a dirty home isn’t just stressful to spend time in; it can harm your health.
By whipping your house into shape, you can improve your mental health and the mood of others living in the home. If you don’t know where to start, cleaning, decluttering, and letting in fresh air can all add positivity, reducing tension and making your house feel fresh and vibrant.
Watch Nature Documentaries
If you need to destress but don’t have the ability to leave home, try nature documentaries. Options like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Our Planet, and Secrets of the Whales can be surprisingly soothing in many cases.
Plus, options like Dancing with the Birds and Round Planet are as educational as they are amusing. You can appreciate nature and squeeze in some laughs, making them great stress reducers.
Put Positive Affirmations in Unexpected Places
Positive affirmations can be excellent mood boosters when used strategically. While you could undoubtedly adopt a mantra or two that you can recite during the day, another approach may suit you better.
Find positive affirmations that speak to your challenges that you also find inspiring. Write them down on bright colored paper, then stash them in random places. Set one in your wallet, another in a desk drawer you use at work, and one in your medicine cabinet. Toss an affirmation into your sock drawer, car console, or anywhere else that you may open up randomly as the days pass.
The idea is to have reminders essentially sprinkled across your daily life. That way, you’ll encounter the affirmations at unexpected times, giving you pick-me-up moments you may not always expect.
Rethink Your Current Job
Overall, The American Institute of Stress notes that 23 percent of American professionals feel that their stress levels at work are high, and a startling 6 percent felt their stress levels are unreasonably high. Since it’s common to carry that stress home, it can also harm your mental health when you’re off the clock.
If job stress is leading to a lack of focus, demotivation, irritability, anxiety, or insomnia, it's time to move on. That way, you can improve your well-being, all while making room for something better in your life. You can not only switch jobs, but you can switch lanes altogether. Is there a particular job or career path you've always been interested in? Start taking some classes and go after it! Coursework completed online makes it exceptionally convenient, as there’s no need for commuting to a traditional campus, plus it’s more affordable.
With these tips in mind, self-care is quite doable. Be mindful and intentional about improving your physical and mental health – not only will you benefit, but those around you will thank you as well!
This article was written by Dana Brown who is a freelance writer. We thank Dana for this work. The top photograph was taken by Emma Simpson on Unsplash.com. We are grateful for her work.
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