It’s easy to say that you do something for yourself every day, but there’s a noticeable difference when you consciously practice self-care. Self-care helps you to have a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. You can’t give other people something that you don’t have yourself. Self-care tells you so much about yourself and provides you with an awareness of what you need to be your best self. It allows you to prioritize what’s important to you and teaches you better ways to deal with stress. When you take the time to care for yourself, you’ll be better able to care for others. Here are nine ways to practice self-care everyday!
- Drink water first thing in the morning
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I always remember keep a water bottle on my bedside table so that as soon as I wake up, I can drink some water. Your body tends to get somewhat dehydrated at night, so drinking water first thing in the morning helps to rejuvenate yourself and give your day a fresh start.
- Take 10 minutes every morning/evening to read or meditate
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I like to end my day by putting away my phone and reading for 10 minutes. This helps me disconnect from the real and digital world. Another practice I want to add to my daily routine is meditation. Meditation helps clear your mind and focus on the moment, allowing you to connect with yourself.
- Look at the positives instead of the negatives
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Changing your mindset to focus on the positives in challenging situations is important because it’s difficult to feel fulfilled when you’re constantly focusing on the negatives in life. Shifting your mindset is a practice that takes time, but it will ultimately bring you more happiness and fulfillment in life.
- Move for at least 30 minutes
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This is important, not only for your physical health, but also for your mental health. Now, I’m not saying that you have to take a high-intensity fitness class at the rec center every day, but even something as easy as going for a walk will keep your body healthy and strong while also lifting your mood.
- Invest in some plants
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Taking care of plants has been proven to be a productive coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety and stress. There’s a different feeling of satisfaction that comes with taking care of plants and watching them grow due to your own effort. It’s rewarding for your mental health and confidence.
Anumeha Rajvanshi - Compliment somebody
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Take time out of your day to compliment someone, whether it’s a stranger or someone you know. I promise the feeling you get when you see the smile on their face is priceless. Telling someone something like, “I love your dress,” “You inspired me to be a better person,” or “You have such a good sense of humor” might seem like a five second task to you, but it will make someone’s entire day.
- VOlunteer once a month for an hour
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Giving back is good for the soul as much as it’s good for the community. Taking out an hour every month (or more!) will make you feel like you’re making a difference in the world, while also doing something good for yourself.
- Write down something you’re grateful for before bed
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This is something I’ve done every single day since the beginning of 2020, and I could not recommend it more. Replaying everything that happened during the day allows me to be more thankful for the smaller things in life, whether it’s having a roof over my head or someone opening a door for me. It encourages me to find something wonderful, even on my worst days.
- Say “yes” to your wellbeing
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One of the most important self-care tips that people have trouble with is knowing when to say “no.” It’s important to choose to say “yes” only to things that correspond with your values or make you happy.
Make sure that whatever self-care tips you choose to do bring you joy. It’s not self-care if you force yourself to run every morning and are miserable the entire time. I want you to take a few minutes out of your day to practice one of these nine tips. After all, learning to love yourself is the greatest evolution, and practicing self-care is the perfect way to start.
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