Breath in. Breathe Out. Breeeeaaathe in... Breeeeaaathe out... Should life consist of all-things stress? NAAAAA- ma- ste... on track with the right mindset, the right resources and the right plan for action. Success doesn’t come in a day and neither do results. In order to be the best version of yourself, you need to put your best foot forward. It all starts with you and the choices you make.
Take steps toward a more positive way of thinking in this busy thing called life with these TOP self-care tips.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Routine.
Sometimes a routine can make all the difference in the world. Often instability can lead to irritability. The lack of food or the lack of sleep results in mood swings and an unhealthy lifestyle. If you are overwhelmed, you are probably doing too much without the proper rest of fuel to get you through.
Often, there is a negative connotation associated with food specifically. Yes, you shouldn’t live to eat. However, you should eat to live. You need to eat in order to properly fuel your body. Make time to eat because eating helps with focus and energy. If you do not make time to eat, you'll find your work will suffer for it. No, not everyone has the funds for a personal trainer or for buggies full of organic food options, but you can choose whether you skip a meal or eat a dozen donuts. Not eating and overeating are two unhealthy habits. It’s a struggle we all fight, but this is a powerful part of any routine.
Of course, there is little to no way to avoid stress. You need to make a living, so often it comes at the cost of your health. Long hours are inevitable, but how you take care of yourself after those long hours makes all the difference.
Sometimes it is as simple as setting a set time to wind down and rest, even if it is just fifteen minutes in the morning to eat breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day after all. Meal prep is an effective way to achieve those self-care eating habits even with a busy life. Yes, we all know how hard it is to motivate ourselves after a long time. However, taking a little extra time one day a week will prevent you from having to cook several times a week.
Meal prep is also good for your health. You are proportioning meals out which helps prevent overeating. The meals are done and ready to go, so those drive-thru runs become little to none. You are saving money and might cut a few pounds too. A healthy food routine really can make all the difference.
It’s Important to Treat Yourself.
It’s important to treat yourself just don’t go broke doing it. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself. It is good to either do something for yourself or buy something for yourself, within reason, of course. Get your hair done. It will add a unique boost of confidence and has its own way of making you feel put together. We all need that.
Treating yourself can be a slippery slope. It’s good to treat yourself occasionally. Occasionally being the focus. The “Treat Yo’self” mentality is taking over. If you are not careful, that one meal out becomes two. That one new outfit becomes four. It goes on and on and on. It is important to limit yourself because the temporary “high” you get from getting something new wears off, and your wallet gets the brunt of repercussions.
Treating yourself can mean taking those vacation days. Yes, you are busy at work. No, work is not worth affecting your health. Sometimes the only way to truly engage in self-care is to confront the root of the issue. Take a day off here and there to catch up on rest and life’s responsibilities. It won’t cause as much of a disruption at work where you can’t catch up, but it will give you a little time to focus on self-care.
Don’t Bottle Up Emotions.
I like my emotions like I like my water... bottled. First things first, drink water. It is an essential part of healthy living. Second, don’t bottle up emotions. Bottling up emotions can be the thief of joy. It is so easy to keep emotions in because it feels like too big of a burden to unload. However, bottling up emotions can do more harm than many people might realize. Eventually the bottle is going to pop under all the pressure and make a big mess- both figuratively and literally.
There is no shame in finding a therapist who will help you sort through emotions. It may take meeting several before you find one you are comfortable with. If therapy doesn’t seem to be an option for you, take time to talk with family, friends and those closest to you. When life gets crazy, time with loved ones is needed most. Unfortunately, that time isn’t always set aside. It is not only for you. It is for them, too. Life is short, and none of it is guaranteed. Spending time with loved ones may be one of the most important self-care tips out there. Whether it is a lunch or a night in at home, time with loved ones can be just what the self-care doctor ordered.
Take a Break.
Kit Kat slogan creators said it best. "Have a break...Have a Kit Kat!" "Break time, anytime," and the most popular, "Gimme a break, Gimme a break, Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat Bar!" All three slogans with the same goal in mind- a break.
It is so easy to neglect time for self-care. It is easy to get busy and work through lunch. It is so easy to end the day exhausted because you don’t take time to refocus and rest your mind. Taking a break can mean a wide variety of things. It could mean that day off. It could be you take your lunch break away from your desk. Step away and eat outside, in the breakroom with coworkers or out of the office completely.
Automate what you can. We are in the 21st century. There is so much technology that can help automate the more menial tasks in life. Self-cleaning vacuums are a very convenient option, but it is a little on the pricey side. However, it is an investment that gives you a break from one day-to-day task. Hiring in a housekeeper is a little more expensive, but it is a break we can all get behind. We don’t always have time to deep clean those nooks and crannies in our home, so when that is taken off your plate, it is a huge sigh of relief.
For those looking for a break without cost, consider an automated system for bills or for day-to-day scheduling. Sometimes the simpler, time-consuming tasks add the most stress to our lives. These tasks are the ones that are best taken of first. Crossing tasks off a list adds a sort of satisfaction to your life. To-do lists are a great way to increase productivity. Take a break throughout the day to cross tasks off and rewrite your list. It seems odd, but it helps.
Don’t Stress Over What You Can’t Control.
This one is a hard one for most people. Don’t stress over what you cannot control. We all say it, but how much do we put it into practice. So much sleep is lost and so much time is wasted worrying over things we have no control over.
Self-care is more than positive thinking. It is also positive talk. This could be how you speak to someone else or to yourself. At the end of the day, when your mind is racing and you are supposed to be winding down from the day, consider reflecting. Start with reflecting on the three best things that happened that day. Reflect on the things you are thankful for. Write them down or say them aloud. Instead of focusing on the nose you were born with that you do not like, focus on your best qualities- both physically and personally.
Act don’t react. Instead of fighting your mind over a simple mistake you made at work, own up to it and fix it. Reacting emotionally to a situation will do nothing but hurt you. You must act in order to see change. If the self-care you struggle with is your look, do something to better yourself. Make better choices when eating and take time to exercise or walk. If you have to start with walking around the block, do it. The only way forward is to take the first step.
Don’t stress over what you cannot control, but if you can control it, take the first step and do something about it. The only way to true self-care is through action, and there should be no excuses. A quitting mindset is contagious.
Relax and Reflect.
Relaxing and reflecting should be a daily goal. As previously mentioned, focusing on self-talk, positive language and overall self-awareness can do a lot to better a person’s life. No matter how busy your life is, all these elements can better who you are in the midst of it all.
What is self-care? Is it the treat yourself because you deserve to be treated mentality, or is it the preservation of who you are? Self-care can mean a lot of things. Sometimes, it boils down to its simplicity- the importance of taking care of yourself.
Regardless of where you are in life, relaxation and reflection can do you good. It is important to instill the right mentality of self-care into our children. Life is getting busier and the world is running at a much faster pace. The choice to hold on as tight as you can or let loose and enjoy the ride is yours. No one can make it for you. Self-care starts with you. How you take care of yourself impacts others.
Set Goals, but be Realistic...
Sometimes goals feel like a figment of our imagination. They never seem attainable because of all life's obstacles. Sometimes the fast track to accomplishing those goals is to start from the bottom and work up. There is no shame in a dream board or a list of your goals, categorized into sections.
There is such a thing as a “gratitude list.” It is exactly what it sounds like. It is a list of everything, or everything you can think of, that you are grateful for. It is a great point of reference on both good and bad days. You can have a general gratitude list and/or do a daily one. Put it in your car or by your mirror.
Set a goal to be grateful for something new every day. Set daily goals. Drink more water or walk for an hour. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Self-care is a goal. Some may say it is big. Some may say it is small, but it should always be a goal. That doesn’t mean you don’t set big goals. Categorize your goals into sections, so you are always reminded of what needs to be done.
We can list every spa regimen. We could list different stress relieving lotions and oils. We could cover techniques from across the globe. Instead, we ask that you self-reflect. It is called SELF-care because if you don’t take care of yourself, how are you going to help take care of others? Set motivation on overdrive, so you can accomplish your goals with your well-being in mind.
In order to be a healthy self, you must HEAL THY SELF. Let our florists at [Conroy's Flowers Bakersfield] in [Artisan, Bakersfield, CA] help brighten your space with a vibrant bouquet as a reminder of the good things in life. No matter how busy life gets, even when your schedule is all out of whack, take time to rest, reflect and self-care. You won’t regret doing the best for yourself and others.