Self-care is a backbone of our emotional, mental, and physical well-being and an essential aspect of mental health care.
Physical activity, going on a vacation, getting a massage, mindfulness meditation, and a healthy diet are some of the most common self-care forms.
However, self-care can look different from person to person. It can involve other activities that you find enjoyable and relaxing, such as reading a book, taking cooking classes, connecting with nature, or spending time with people you care about.
In short, self-care involves all those activities that can help you achieve lasting mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Here are the ten types of self-care that you can practice daily.
1) Focus on Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is at the core of self-care. It means treating yourself with the kindness you would offer to a loved one. Self-compassion can motivate personal growth, reducing anxiety or shame triggered by your inner critic. Studies show that self-kindness can increase happiness, boost your mood, and help you become more aware of your feelings.
2) Write a Journal
The practice of writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can help improve self-awareness and come to a reflective understanding of yourself.
Studies show that expressive writing can improve mental health by helping you gain control of your thoughts and feelings. It can help identify negative beliefs and replace them with positive ones, keeping anxiety in check.
Also, writing about your experiences or emotions can help track down your symptoms and behavior patterns, allowing you to recognize anxiety triggers and learn strategies to control them better.
3) Organize Your Living Space
Our environments directly affect our thinking, mood, and behavior. Organizing and decluttering your house is an excellent way to bring harmony into your living space and bring peace into your mental space.
Living in a clean and mindfully organized space can make your life calmer and less stressful and encourage you to adopt other healthy habits.
4) Express Gratitude
Research shows that expressing gratitude can significantly increase happiness and optimism. Counting your blessings (for example, by writing down three things you feel thankful for every morning) can improve your mood, increase productivity, improve your relationships, boost your immune system, and more.
5) Meditate with a Cup of Tea
Mindfulness meditation is something that you can practice on the move, so try to incorporate it into your daily rituals, such as preparing and drinking tea. Tea meditation doesn’t have to last long to be helpful. Just a short mindful tea break throughout the day will help you relax, reduce stress, and increase happiness.
6) Take a Mindful Walk during Lunch Break
Hectic office atmosphere, tight deadlines, and endless meetings – for many people, the busy workplace environment makes it impossible to meditate or exercise during the day.
Yet, you can meditate on your way to and from work or during lunch break. Light physical activity can also alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, help you relax and increase happiness.
7) Get Enough Sleep
A chronic lack of sleep may compromise your health and well-being. Research has shown that sleep deprivation can affect your emotional control, causing low resistance to stress, anxiety, and depression.
8) Connect with Family and Friends
Socializing with people we care about can improve mood and maintain good mental health. Even if you need to practice social distancing, you can use technology to reach out to loved ones.
9) Stop People Pleasing
Relying on others for approval and validation can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. To stop this unhealthy practice, pay attention to your social interactions, and set the boundaries.
Learn to say ’no’ and to stand up for yourself. Personal boundaries are one of the pillars of self-care, as they let other people know how you want to be treated, helping you feel safe and protected.
10) Connect with Nature
Spending time outside is the practice that can boost resilience and help you manage stress at work and in private life.
Take a break from work, technology, and chores. Sit on the ground, take your shoes off, and turn your face to the sun to feel connected to nature around you. Practicing mindfulness in nature can help you still your thoughts, relax, alleviate stress and anxiety, and think positive reviews.
While these self-care practices may not always seem obvious, sticking to even a few of them can help you make healthy daily choices and keep your mental and physical health in check.
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