“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hale
During the week, your body is put through enormous amounts of stress. Whether you’re a full-time employee, a student, a parent, or maybe all of the above, self-care is a necessity. Maybe there aren’t enough hours in the day to pamper yourself on a daily basis, but making sure you have at least an hour, once a week, can improve your stress levels immensely. Some people may have long, intense routines when it comes to de-stressing, but even something short and simple can make all the difference.
Self-Care step number 1:
Create a clean space for immense relaxation.
Throw on your favorite music, and tidy up your room, and maybe even your living room. Having a clean environment makes it easier to keep your mind clear and gives you one less thing to worry about.
Self-Care step number 2:
Take a long shower or bath.
Imagine that you’re literally wiping away the stress and negative energy that your body has endured throughout the week. If you want to have an even more relaxing bath, try bath salts. Lavender is very calming, and bath salts also can help relax any tension in your body.
Self-Care step number 3:
Meditate.
Take a moment to focus on your breathing and reflect on the week. Meditation may not be for you, but try just breathing and keeping your mind clear. If staying still is difficult, stretching during meditation can be helpful. For me, sitting in Child’s Pose has been very effective in keeping me grounded and focused. Anything that you can do to ease your mind is amazing.
These simple steps are just the stepping stones to a stress-free body and mind. Feel free to add or subtract anything from this list based on your personal preferences. Listening to your body is the most important thing when it comes to self-care.