HEALTH+FITNESS
The Importance of Self Care
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Between school, work, family, kids or whatever hectic schedules our lives throw at us it can be hard to find time to relax and unwind. But more and more experts agree taking time to pamper ourselves with a little self care – away from social media and the television – is really important, both for stress levels, helping to calm anxiety and for our general health and well-being.
We may think of self care as indulgent, but the benefits of taking a little time away from the world to pamper ourselves with a little self-care can be beneficial for our physical, emotional and mental health – and best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money!
Self Care Ideas
At Home Spa Experience
Light your favorite candle, put on a face mask, give yourself a mani-pedi and spend some well-earned time pampering yourself.
Read a Book
Whether you like to read on a tablet, listen to an audiobook, or prefer a physical book, take time each week to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
Start Journaling or Scrapbooking
Journaling or scrapbooking can be very therapeutic, especially if you’re feeling stressed and unfocused. Unsure of where to start? Head to YouTube, or Pinterest for ideas.
Take a Yoga Class
Yoga is excellent for both mind, body and soul. On a budget? There are plenty of free apps providing tutorials on the basic poses and most towns have a yoga studio offering discounts on the first couple of classes.
Get out in Nature
This can include taking a walk, or a hike, sitting outside listening to the birds sing or gardening.
Take a Bubble Bath
Light your favorite candle, pour a glass of wine and draw a hot bath with soothing bubbles to relax after a stressful day.
Compile a ‘Favorites’ Playlist
Simply listening to our favorite songs is a form of self-care that can help reduce stress and soothe frazzled nerves.
Meditate
Experts agree meditation is an important ritual we can all benefit from. Fortunately for those of us who have a hard time settling into meditation there are plenty of apps that can help. Simply put in your earphones and listen to the guided sessions to reap the benefits of this extraordinary exercise.
Take a Social Media Break
Most of us are glued to our phones throughout the day. Take time to put the phone, or tablet away and take a break from social media, or negatively charged news shows.
And lastly learning to say “no” is probably the best self-care we can give ourselves. At some point it’s time to put your own needs first. Don’t stretch yourself to the limit trying to take on a ton of things that leave you frazzled all because you don’t like to say no!
