Self-care: it’s simple. So if it seems overwhelming, you’re probably overthinking it.
From focusing on our physical health to maintaining our mental well-being, self-care strategies are essential to feeling (and looking) our best. The truth is, we don’t place enough importance on caring for ourselves. Despite this, the connection between self-care and overall well-being has been well-documented.
The resoundingly positive impact of self-care on how we feel holistically is the very reason why we should be incorporating these strategies into every aspect of our lives.
Here’s how to do it.
Care For Your Physical Well-Being: Focusing on Your Health and Fitness as Part of Self-Care
Eat, sleep, exercise, repeat. It’s as simple as that. Getting quality shut-eye is essential to good health, as is maintaining a nutritious diet, and moving our bodies regularly. It’s a no-brainer of an equation, so in this sense, it’s interesting to see how many of us struggle with staying healthy.
If you’re one of the unlucky ones who does get sick frequently, it’s a good idea to consult the professionals – practitioners who have completed local medical qualifications you can trust, like FNP programs in Texas. Your medical team will be able to provide professional advice on how to support the healthy function of your body – including, for example, incorporating supplements and immune-boosting remedies.
Amidst our efforts to stay healthy, though, we do still need to make room in our lives for some indulgence – life is too short to be excessively restrictive. On that – have you ever heard of intuitive eating? If not, let me enlighten you. It’s where we listen to our bodies, and also, learn to nourish instead of punishing ourselves. It means taking time to savor the little treats we enjoy, as part of a balanced lifestyle of course.
Intuitive eating doesn’t mean pigging out on takeout all the time – after a while, our insides would be screaming out for a salad. Instead, it involves implementing balance, eating foods that make us feel uplifted and energized, and taking cues from what our body is telling us we need to consume.
In terms of exercise to supplement an intuitive diet, this looks different for everyone: for some, a grueling weights program at the gym serves us best. For others, hikes in nature, or trying a different dance class every week. However you like to move your body, it shouldn’t be a struggle – think of it as part of your holistic self-care routine.
Cultivate A Calm Mental State: Monitoring Your Emotions and Regulating Stress Levels
Self-care is more than just looking after yourself physically. We also need to monitor our mental condition, to regulate stress, avoid burnout, and overcome other negative emotions.
So, what self-care strategies can we implement to optimize our mental health? If you haven’t tried gratitude journaling or guided meditation, you definitely should. Want to take it further? Consider a breathwork class. Don’t think you need to be taught how to breathe? Think again – for James Nester, just one hour of slow breathing changed his life, bringing him a new sense of calm, and finally fixing his sleep.
Curate Your Outward Appearance: Looking After Your ‘Look’ to Support How You Feel
In addition to supporting your physical and mental health with self-care strategies, have you considered the impact your outward appearance has on how you feel internally? Like it or not, the external self is intertwined with how others perceive us, as well as how we feel about ourselves. How we present outwardly, then, can have a huge influence on our confidence and self-esteem.
Curating our outward presentation looks different for everyone. For some, we feel our best when we are dressed up to the nines, makeup immaculately applied, and straight out of the salon with a fresh, bouncy blowwave.
But in truth, just ensuring that we are presented neatly, our clothes are clean, our hair is washed and brushed, and that we have a good level of personal hygiene, is something all of us can (and should) commit to, daily.
If nothing else, we should be performing this type of self-care not only out of respect for others around us but also, for ourselves.
