News flash: self care does NOT equal self indulgence.
Now, before you throw your ice cream spoon at me, I just want to admit that I am an ice cream addict. I, too, find comfort in the sweet, creamy, fresh flavor of a hefty scoop of chocolatey goodness, complete with delicate chocolate shavings scattered throughout every spoonful….
Oh my, where were we? Aha my bad.. Anyway..
Though I do love ice cream- on days where I come home deflated, stressed, angry, or hopeless- I don’t usually feel much better by making myself sick on sugar. In fact, surprise surprise!, that practice typically makes my list of problems a little longer, which is not a good way to achieve self-care. I find myself more stressed, more grumpy, more disappointed, and at least a little bloated. #ugh
On the other hand, if I come home and spend some time actually caring for my mind and body, life gets a little more bearable! True self-care should improve your life, not hinder it.
Perhaps you’re like me and you’ve noticed a little bloated-ness coming on. Perhaps you’re looking for ways to intentionally care for yourself! Or, perhaps you’re running low on ice cream and need to distract yourself before the dreaded thought of an empty carton becomes your reality.
Whatever your reasons, take a list of these ways to actually practice self-care today!
1) Take a bath.
Nothing says: “Hello self, I love you” quite like a nice warm tub of refreshing water. First, throw in bubbles, flower petals, or bath bombs. Next, grab your favorite soap, candles, music, a book, and your favorite drink.
Finally, forget the world and take a well-deserved break in those deliciously soapy suds.
2) Massage.
Your physical body works so hard all day to keep you going. Why not return the love with a little massaging? You can find a bunch of quick tutorials on Google/YouTube, or just take a minute to reflect on which body parts feel worn out.
Maybe your hand needs a little thumb-rubbing, or maybe your legs could use some work from a rolling pin. Practice self-care by smoothing out the tight and tense areas of your body. Enjoy how good it feels.
3) Take a (short) nap.
Did you know that naps can be really good for you? Studies have shown that short naps have the potential to give the body a little rest and recharge, which is perfect if you still have things to get done today.
Maybe next time you sit down to binge a show or scroll through your phone, you’ll try taking a nap instead to practice self-care.
Give your body time to rest and relax without any screen stimulus. You might find yourself with new energy to tackle the day!
4) Deep breathing.
If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, deep breathing is perhaps one of the best and most commonly recommended practices to try. Try to put a pause on your thoughts and instead focus on the present moment.
For instance, think about your breath coming in your mouth and going out your nose. Slow down your breathing. Hold your breath for the beat that your lungs are totally full or totally empty. Notice the rise and fall of your chest and listen to the rushing air. Mmm.
5) Give a hug.
We are social beings! Connecting with people feels good. When I am seriously struggling to keep myself together, sometimes a hug is just what I need. A quick hug from a kid, partner, or grandparent can spark feelings of love, comfort, and peace.
People hug because it feels good. If you’re feeling bad, try giving a hug.
6) Hangout with a kid.
Kids have this superpower where they enjoy a lot of little things in life, so if you’re having trouble doing just that, maybe try hanging out with a kid. Ask them questions and listen to their answers. Play along with their games. Let that little kid lift your spirit.
7) Put on ‘that song’.
Music is so powerful! Music can remind us of the past, help us imagine the future, and make us feel certain things. Put on relaxing music if you’re tired. Try pump-up music if you need motivation. Listen to happy music when you’re feeling down or soulful music if you just want to sit in your feelings for a while.
8) Eat something for nourishment.
I know I’ve already talked about ice cream and how wonderful it is… on the taste buds, at least.
When I’m needing some actual self-care, I often feel better by eating food that I know will give me nourishment and energy. That can be leftovers, fruit, granola bars, or a bunch of water.
It feels really good – both mentally and physically – to intentionally fill my body with food rich with nutrients and energy. Figure out a few go-to boosting foods that you can grab before you get sick on sugar.
9) Get outside.
The outdoors are a fabulous place to care for your mind and your body. Nature helps us feel grounded in, content with, and excited for life. There are also a bunch of fun activities you can do outside to nourish your physical body.
Take a walk, bask in the sun, or nap in the shade. Soak in the rich earthly sights and smells of the great big outdoors.
10) Talk to someone.
Once again, we are social beings who thrive on connection. Sometimes the best way to care for yourself is to be with people. Talking about emotions can help you reflect on what you’re feeling and make an action plan of what to do. People can provide support, comfort, and advice.
Fill your life with people who are willing to listen when you have a rough day. Talking can be therapeutic, clearing your mind for better thoughts and feelings.
11) Serve someone.
Sometimes the best way to escape problems is to actually forget about them for a while. It’s easier to forget about yourself when you’re all caught up in helping someone else!
Service is a wonderful way to get out of your own head for a while and care for those around you. Their smiles and gratitude can boost your mood if you let it.
12) Clear out your head.
I get a headache every time there’s too much on my mind. A simple way to relieve the brain is to write stuff down.
If you’ve got a lot to do, make a to-do list. Need to figure out what you’re feeling? Write a page in your journal. If you’re feeling ticked off at someone, write them a letter (not to send to them, but to gather your thoughts for a good, civil, compromising conversation someday – trust me on this one haha. Fury letters can get real mean real quick).
Give your brain a break by dumping out some of its contents onto paper. Then, you don’t have to stress about forgetting something, you’ll have a manageable task list, or you’ll understand what’s going on deep down. Try it!
13) Read.
Reading has a lot of benefits. It stimulates your brain, allows you to take a break, and often teaches you something or makes you think. Reading a good book allows you to explore and experience something new.
Do your mind a big favor by finding something good to read and sitting down to do just that.
14) Meditate or do yoga.
Meditation and yoga are great ways to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit. They allow you to take a break and get in tune with yourself.
Meditation helps you to live and love the present moment. Yoga can help you stretch and relax your body. There are a bunch of great (free!) resources for both meditation and yoga on the internet. Try out a few and figure out what makes you feel the best!
**Friend-to-friend, my favorite yoga resource is a channel called “Yoga With Adriene” on YouTube. Adriene has yoga videos for every body part, feeling, and time commitment. She has several different series that you can commit to for a month, or a playlist of yoga practices under 10 minutes if you’re in a time crunch. Every time I follow one of her videos, I end up feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and more in tune with myself.
15) Workout.
Ugh, I know. I don’t want to be THAT person who tells you to stop eating ice cream and workout instead (I’m the worst, sorry…) but hear me out: working out includes endorphins! You move your body, you work up a sweat, you feel good.
You don’t have to go crazy and start an hour of P90X, but try going for a jog or finding a quick workout. There are even fun ways to get active such as jump roping, hiking, swimming, biking, roller blading, trampoline jumping, etc.
Have fun with it!
In conclusion, as relaxing as it is to binge shows and eat ice cream, I hope you make some time to truly care for your mind and body when life gets rough. You might find yourself feeling a little bit better afterwards 🙂
How do YOU like to care for your mind and body? Did you try any of these tips? How did it go? Let me know in the comments below!
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