6 Daily Self-Care Activities To Take Better Care of Yourself!
During the hustle and bustle of busy life, it can be difficult to prioritize yourself. However, self-care is something you should be practicing every day. Simple self-care activities, like cooking yourself a meal, or watching your favorite TV show, can boost your emotional well-being. And the best part of all: self-care looks different for everyone! There are a million different self-care activities that can inspire you to take better care of your mind and body. Below are just a handful of self-care tips, so you can discover which ones work best for your needs and your lifestyle!
1. Joyful movement
One popular form of self-care is exercise. Physical activity improves your overall health by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and strengthening your muscles. Breaking a sweat can also instantly boost your mood! The most important thing about exercise, though, is finding a routine that brings you joy. You don’t have to wake up every morning at 5AM to go on a run, if you hate it! Try to explore a wide variety of physical activity, to find the option that makes you feel happy and confident. You can hop on a treadmill at the gym one day, or follow a yoga tutorial in your living room on the next day. Incorporating joyful movement into your daily routine is a fantastic way to take care of your mind and body.
2. Try using a fidget toy
Fidget toys, like stress balls or fidget cubes, can actually improve your mental health. While these toys are often specifically marketed for children, research shows that these items can help adults cope with anxiety and ADHD. If you’re feeling nervous right before a meeting, or before meeting someone new, playing around with a fidget toy can help you soothe your nerves. “Sensory stimulation” is actually a type of therapeutic treatment used to help individuals with hypersensitivity issues, or other sensory processing disorders. So the next time you’re feeling stressed, try clicking, rolling, or squeezing an object in your hand to help calm you down.
3. Meditation
Meditation is an accessible practice that you can incorporate for 3, 5, or 10 minutes every day. While meditation is difficult to define, it generally involves closing your eyes, sitting upright in a chair, and focusing on your breathing for a couple of minutes. Staying focused on your breath allows your mind to empty itself of worries and distractions. Studies show that meditation can decrease anxiety, boost your mood, and improve your overall health. Meditation can help you “slow down” throughout the day, while savoring every moment in the present.
4. Journaling
Journaling is a healthy way to reflect on your day, your emotions, and your thoughts. If you’re ever thought about picking up journaling as a daily habit, try to spend a few minutes every morning, jotting down a page or two. These “morning pages” allow you to savor the quiet serenity of the morning, before you jump into a busy workday. Set your alarm back 10 minutes every morning, and spend that extra time with a pen and paper in hand. Journaling is a self-care practice that strengthens your mental and emotional-wellbeing; in fact, you’ll be shocked at how refreshed you feel after putting all your worries down onto the page!
5. Napping
Taking a short power nap in the middle of the day can help you recharge, physically and mentally, throughout the day. Studies show that a 15-20 minute nap after lunch can actually boost a person’s cognitive functioning, making them more productive and creative for the rest of the day. So if that mid-day slump is hitting you hard, don’t try to resist it. Try to find a quiet place--in the house, or at the office--and take a quick power nap. The key is to keep this nap as short as possible, so you don’t wake up with a groggy headache. If all goes well, you’ll wake up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
6. Seek out therapy
Everyone can benefit from going to a therapist. Even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis, seeing a therapist can help you gain valuable support in your day-to-day life. As you continue reading articles on You.Time, remember that the perfect therapist for you is out there, waiting for your call. YouTime Online therapists can help you develop more tailored self-care activities to help your particular needs. And YouTime Online will never sell your information, or disclose confidential information. We recognize, and respect, your privacy, so you can get the support you need with a trusted online therapist and find more techniques to embrace self-care in your daily life.