Self-care is super important. Check out this overview about why to take care of YOU, plus 10 Easy Habits to get you started!
Know your worth: Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself as it produces positive feelings and boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Reminder- Your needs are important too!
Keep a Healthy work-life balance- Contrary to popular belief, workaholism is not a virtue. Overworking and not taking a break can cause many not-fun issues and stress (no, thanks!). Professional self-care habits like taking intermittent breaks, ( ie: taking the time to eat lunch, call your Mom, take a stroll) Setting professional boundaries, avoiding overextending, etc, ensures that you stay sharp, motivated and healthy. (oh, and happy!:)
Stress Management- While a little dose of stress can help produce some extra edge to meet deadlines or knock out an important task, too much stress is just too much. Smart self-care habits, like eating healthy, connecting with a loved one, taking time for exercise, and meditating will cut down the toxic effects of stress by improving your mood and boosting your energy and confidence levels.
Start living, stop existing- Life is a precious gift, so why waste it when we have the choice to live a more meaningful existence. It's important to remember that taking care of yourself is your responsibility. Little things, like listening to the rain, enjoying a bath, reading a book you've had on your mind, writing down some of your goals and places you'd like to visit, learning a new language...can bring your more happiness and make your life more purposeful, while giving you a new reason to get up in the morning.
Better physical health- Self-care is about both your emotional health and your physical health. Both are very important and we need to take the time to get to the gym, take a walk, eat healthfully and take time to plan your menus so you can be sure to eat if you have a busy day (meal-prep, have snacks on hand...almonds and bananas are a great treat! And always, always, always have H2O at your fingertips!
OK....Yay! You're still here!:) Now, check out these great tips to get you started! ENJOY!
1- Go for a run or a light jog, or take a long walk
2- Meditate or try deep breathing for five minutes and focus on YOU and on your breathing. Think of a color or the sound of the ocean. Try to think of only one thing to help isolate your focus.
3- Take a break when you need it
4- Choose who you spend time with (Choose wisely of course! Choose people who bring you happiness and positivity)
5- Laugh often...at least one big laugh daily (hourly is even better!)
6- Eat green daily
7- Avoid emotional eating
8- Start a journal (it needn't be lengthy) Jot down ideas and goals too.
9-Learn to say NO (this is truly powerful)
10- Stop overthinking
Please don't put this off and start today! Or at least try a couple of these tips today! You'll begin to see a difference very quickly! It only takes 21 days to create a new habit!