Self-care is essential to mental and emotional health and well-being.
To be your best self and to be able to give to others and to other areas of your life it is crucial to practice self-care. We all want to be our best selves and when we are feeling our best we are typically able to handle the challenges that life throws at us much better. We might respond to a bully at work with more dignity, class and assertiveness. Imagine coming out of a negative encounter feeling really proud of your response. If you hadn’t been practicing self-care you might just react to the situation from a weaker emotional state. Most likely that reaction might be one we might be a little ashamed of later on.
When a stressful situation hits us when we are at our best (practicing self-care) we look at it differently. We might see it as not so bad or not as big of a deal. Perhaps we remember that we can handle it because we are feeling strong and confident. We might realize we don’t really care that much about what a bully or toxic person thinks or does. But when we are not taking care of ourselves we feel weak and that same situation can feel like the end of the world. We might assume worst case scenarios and feel as though those scary situations have already come true. We might take that bully’s behaviour personally. You might feel less prone to common anxieties. Feel good about yourself, be at your best, and allow that to ripple out into the world around you!
Self-care is so very worth it. Why go through life not feeling and being at your best?
Here are 71 ways you can integrate self-care into your daily life:
Write a gratitude journal
Meditate
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people
Go to bed early
Netflix binge
Cook and drink wine with friends
Sit on a patio
Write positive affirmations
Take a nap
Cuddle an animal
Call a friend
Plan your daily self-care for the month
Eat a meal you really enjoy
Spend time in nature
Take a timeout
Check in with your emotions
Read a great book
Get dressed up and go out
Get outside
Create a comforting home environment
Make a vision board
Say no to things and people that do not make you happy
Practice mindfulness
Do not check your phone
Take a long bath
Watch something funny: stand-up comedy, movie, Youtube video
Stay away from triggers
Get a massage
Put on cozy pajamas and crawl into bed
Play with your pet
Plan a stay-cation
Do a DIY project
Read inspiring quotes
Listen to a happy song
Breath deeply
Play a game
Cuddle with your loved one
Let go of anything that does not serve you
Drink hot water and lemon
Stretch
Forgive yourself and others
Reorganize and declutter your home, office, car, purse, etc.
Weekend getaway
Face mask
Have a no electronics day
Yoga
Wear comfy clothes
Make a healthy meal
Sit in a sauna
Go for a swim
Laugh
Go to a great restaurant
Do not say negative things about yourself
Hair deep conditioning for 30 minutes
Go for a walk
Listen to your favourite music
Go for a facial
Spend time in the sun
Sleep in
Splurge
Read your favourite book
Plan a holiday
Stay away from triggers
Make a hot cup of tea
Burn a scented candle or aroma therapy
Workout
Try something creative: draw, colour, write, dance, sing, play an instrument
Do a deep conditioning hair treatment
Manicure and pedicure
Close your eyes and think of a moment that you are proud of where you were at your best
Remove toxic people from your life
What are your favorite ways to practice self-care? Let us know in the comments!
)
