In a chaotic world, it’s important to be able to take time out to rest and nurture your soul. Self-care can often seem like a buzzword, especially if you use social media. However, practising small, beneficial habits can help us to avoid overwhelm. With that in mind, here are 11 easy self-care tips that anyone can implement into their daily lives.
1. Daily affirmations for self-love
Affirmations are positive statements that you write down in a journal or say out loud. When you repeat them, they begin to challenge your negative thought patterns. With continual practice, your self-esteem will rise, making you feel more confident about yourself and your body. An example of an affirmation for self-love is “I accept myself as I am”. I personally like to use daily affirmations as part of the pillow manifestation technique which is a way of attracting something positive into your life.
2. Eat breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it sets you up for the day ahead. It’s also effective in helping to boost your focus in the morning. A simple yet nutritious breakfast can include eggs, toast, muesli, yoghurt or smoothie. If you’re someone who cannot face a large breakfast, DIY breakfast bars containing oats and fruit are a healthy, light meal.
3. Get close to nature
Taking regular long walks near a park or forest is a good way to get closer to nature. Heading outdoors in the fresh air doesn’t cost anything, but it’s one of the best ways to make you feel uplifted.
4. Get moving
Exercise is a well-known endorphin booster. Even ten minutes of exercise a few times a week can make a significant difference to your mood. If you’re new to fitness, try doing a YouTube workout from home – walking, yoga and pilates are great for beginners as they won’t push you too hard. However, you’ll still feel the benefits.
5. Take deep breaths
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed or burnt out during the day, try taking a couple of slow, deep breaths. Simply breathe in from your stomach to the count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, and slowly breathe back out again as you count to four. Repeat three times. This will help to calm and centre yourself.
6. Up your water intake
Adults need to drink at least 2 litres of water every day. Not drinking enough water can affect your concentration, mood and energy levels. To ensure you’re getting enough water, consider setting yourself a timer or reminder that alerts you to take frequent sips. Alternatively, you could get a reusable water bottle that holds your daily water requirement.
7. Plan ahead to avoid overwhelm
If you tend to get stressed easily, start planning for your day ahead. This could be a weekly diary where you can note down important tasks or simply prioritise your day in a notebook. Either way, planning ahead of time prevents you from feeling anxious.
8. Laugh with comedy
At the end of a long day, there is sometimes nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a film. A comedy movie that gets you laughing is said to help relieve stress and worry. It’s also a good distraction from the daily grind of life.
9. Give a compliment
Giving compliments isn’t just a way to share your appreciation of something; it can also make you feel good about yourself too. Think about how easily you can share the love. Whether it’s saying thank you to your bus driver or complimenting a coworker on their outfit, there are many easy ways to make your world feel more positive.
10. Write a gratitude list
Even if you’re having a bad day, you can probably think of at least one thing that you are grateful for. Research has shown that writing a gratitude list can make you feel more optimistic and happier in life. Simply write down 3-5 things you are grateful for each day. This could be something simple like the weather or eating your favourite breakfast. Try to stick to it for a few weeks and see how positive you feel afterwards.
11. Switch off your phone
It’s a fact that most people are glued to their phones, either scrolling through social media or checking their emails. The average person is said to spend between 5 to 6 hours each day on their phone. Having a screen detox can be highly beneficial for your mental health. If you don’t like the idea of being without your phone for a day, try switching it off for an hour or two before you go to bed. Taking some time out from virtual communication will help you to sleep better, making you feel refreshed when you wake up.