Sweet summertime is here, and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Between work and fun, it can be challenging to squeeze in self-care on your calendar. However, one of the most important things you’ll do in your life is to learn how to truly take care of your body and give it what it needs! Sometimes we need to press pause and reevaluate what our daily habits are and try to improve on what we’re already doing. Self-care is a process and it evolves throughout a lifetime. But it should always be a priority because ultimately, your health is your wealth! And when you feel good, you look good too 🙂
Here are five tips for taking your self-care routine to the next level. Pick the one that resonates the most with you and add it to your planner!
Treat yourself at least once a week
Your body works hard to help you meet your commitments every day—so it deserves a treat! From massages to baths to various body treatments, there are so many options to give your body a special thank you. A foot massage, a new candle, a manicure, a haircut, and a soak in the tub are just some of the ways you can indulge. Some weeks you can splurge on a massage (or find a hot Groupon deal), and other weeks you can take a bath. Whatever it is, find the special treat that your body likes the most and then make sure you give yourself the time to enjoy it every week.
Move Your Body
Movement is one of the essential ingredients to health. We all know the importance of exercise, but sometimes that word can make us cringe a little bit. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all it takes to kick your body into gear. Instead of looking at exercise as a chore, approach it as a fun way to try something new. Go for a walk, swim in the pool, try kayaking, canoeing, rollerblading, jogging, skateboarding, yoga, or Zumba. Find what you enjoy and then get out there and move as much as you can. Your body will thank you.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
What we eat is what we become. The standard American diet isn’t always the healthiest and the most nutritious. A wonderful first step in the right healthy direction is increasing the amount of fruits and veggies you consume every day. This alone will have amazing impacts on your overall health. Buy a juicer or a blender, and you can make a drink to get your vegetables in for the day. Another idea is to try out a cleanse or clean eating program to restart your digestive system. You can also add some supplements to your life, just be sure to do your research and check with your doctor.
Take Breaks
Now, more than ever, we always seem to busy. Between work and friends and family and social media and email and everything life throws our way, there’s always something that’s calling for your attention. Rest is so necessary. No one can function at full speed all the time. Look at your calendar and pick one day each week to be your “rest” day if you can. On this day, completely unplug and do activities that help you unwind and relax. Scheduling in downtime for yourself is a big part of making self-care a priority.
Make Sleep a Priority
Last, but certainly not least, it’s absolutely critical to make sleep a priority in your life. When we’re well-rested, we feel better about everything. Sleep is directly linked to your health, and it’s one of the best things you can give yourself. Set a lights out time and try to avoid all screens for the hour before you hit the sack. Make your room dark and do a relaxing activity before bed. Some people need more or less sleep than others, so find the amount that works well for you, and be sure to get to bed on time. There’s truly nothing better than a good night’s sleep.
