We are all riddled with responsibilities and are constantly racing against the clock.
From tight deadlines at work, working excessive overtime, feeling overwhelmed over the rapid increase in the cost of living, and dealing with the repercussions of your toxic family, it is no surprise that you forget to take better care of yourself.
The fast-paced nature of our lives can make us forget that we cannot perform adequately if we do not care for ourselves — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
While it is understandable that you want to be in control of all aspects of your life, it is essential that you prioritize yourself as well. Without self-care, you won’t have the energy or emotional bandwidth to take care of things.
We all understand the importance of taking care of ourselves, but how exactly can we do this?
Taking care of yourself is more than posting inspirational quotes on your social media and throwing a bath bomb every once in a while into your bath. It’s about making small changes that will create an enormous impact.
Not sure how to take better care of yourself thanks to all the toxic positivity on the internet? Here are some tips to help you get started.
Make sleep a priority
There’s nothing like getting a good night’s sleep. If you don’t sleep well, you may be irritable, have difficulties concentrating, and have low energy. At the same time, pulling an all-nighter to get your work done may seem like a good idea, but in reality, you will end up feeling worse. According to a study, improving your sleeping habits can positively impact your mental health.
So instead of staring at your phone until the odd hours of the night, use this time to focus on resting and recharging your body for the next day.
Move your body
We know that after a long day, you may not want to participate in any type of physical activity. However, moving your body is an excellent way of taking care of yourself, not only because of the physical implications.
In fact, it was found that “physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious.” It even promotes better sleep, so it is a no-brainer for taking care of yourself.
Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring, either. If you don’t like going to the gym, try taking a walk for 30 minutes daily, doing yoga, signing up for a dance class, or bike riding.
Set Boundaries
Sometimes, it is difficult for us to take care of ourselves if we have people around us draining us and our energy. These “energy vampires” leave you feeling emotionally drained and completely exhausted.
It’s time to reflect on what is bothering you and set strong boundaries with those around you. You cannot give away all your compassion and the best part of yourself and not leave anything for yourself. Express how this is affecting you and openly communicate your boundaries.
If you take anything away from this, it is that boundaries are necessary for self-care. Without them, you will feel taken advantage of, emotionally depleted, and harbor anger and resentment. Setting boundaries is an act of self-love, as they display taking care of yourself and your personal and emotional needs.