Published by Programme B
We all know that life gets messy. It’s not easy to keep up with everything, and you may find yourself overwhelmed by the demands of others. You care about the people around you and want them to be happy—but sometimes, it’s hard to remember how important your own happiness is in the mix.
But we’ve got news for you: if you let yourself slip through the cracks, it can be hard to get back on track. That’s why we’re here today with eight tips on how to take care of yourself, even when life gets complicated.
1. Exercise your body
Exercise releases endorphins that make us happier, more energetic and focused. If you don’t have the time or money for a gym membership, then find free ways to stay active such as walking or hiking with friends or family members instead of driving everywhere in a car!
2. Aim to Eat One Piece of Fruit Each Day
Fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for your health and well-being. It’s also full of fiber which helps keep your digestion in check. As much as possible try to eat fresh fruits instead of canned fruits because they contain more nutrients than their counterparts.
Bananas are great when you’re on the go since they don’t need any cutting or preparation; simply peel one and pop it in your mouth! If you don’t manage to eat fruits you like, you can still consult a vegan dietitian that could help you find the best vegetables you like!
3. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for both your mental health and physical well-being. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can affect everything from your mood to your energy levels to your memory and focus — not to mention your overall health.
Sleep deprivation increases stress hormones that can lead to inflammation in the body and trigger processes like spots, dark circles and other skin problems.
4. Go to Your Doctor Appointments
We all know how busy we are, but when was the last time you went to the doctor? If it has been more than a year since your last appointment, it might be time for a check-up. Whether it’s an annual physical or an appointment with your gynecologist (yes, even if you don’t have children), keep these appointments on track so that your health doesn’t become an afterthought during those busy days. And, of course, don’t forget your regular dental checkups. If you’re currently looking for a dental expert right now, you can check out this dentist in Valencia to get started.
5. Make Time for Yourself
This is so important! In order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. If you don’t make time for yourself then how can you expect others to respect that time? It’s not selfish! It’s necessary for us all. Set aside time each day for yourself and make sure everyone knows about it so they don’t try to schedule anything else during that time window unless it’s an absolute emergency situation!
6. Develop A Routine
In order to relax, you need some downtime. What does that mean? It means setting aside time each day or week when you can just be alone with your thoughts and enjoy peace and quiet. This might mean going for a walk at lunchtime, taking a bath with candles lit around the tub or simply sitting in silence on your porch while sipping lemonade after dinner while watching the kids play in the backyard.
It could also mean reading a book before bed or meditating at night before bedtime. Whatever works best for you, set up a routine so it becomes second nature to take care of yourself first thing in the morning before anyone else has woken up or at least after they have gone.
7. Practice Emotional First Aid
Emotional first aid is the practice of recognizing when you feel overwhelmed, stressed or anxious and taking action to improve your emotional wellbeing. It’s important that we recognize these feelings as they happen in order to take appropriate action. When it comes to self-care, emotional first aid is essential because it teaches us what buttons need pressing so that we can feel better again.
Emotional first aid can help us cope with stressors at work or home that are beyond our control and reduce the risk of burnout over time by helping us focus on our own well-being instead of feeling like everything is riding on our shoulders alone.
8. Find a Hobby You Love, and Make Time for It
Find something that you love doing so much that when you have time off from work/family commitments you can’t wait to do it again! If you already have a hobby that fits this description, then fantastic! If not then think about what you would like to do when you have free time?
What makes you happy? How about going for walks around your neighborhood in the evenings after dinner with your spouse or kids? Or maybe reading in bed before sleep? These are all great ways to relax and unwind at the end of the day while still spending quality time with loved ones.
Photo by Diana Onfilm