Have you been prioritising family and friends, work, and domestic obligations over your peace of mind? Do you feel like you’ve been stuck in a rut? Has it been ages since you’ve had some ‘me’ time?
You’re not alone.
Feeling exhausted while racing through life on survival mode is quite normal. The trick in coping, though, lies in how we deal with it. Yes, taking a vacation to rejuvenate may seem like a good option, but it serves as a temporary solution. You’re going to return to the same old routine until you decide to take yet another holiday. And on and on goes this vicious cycle. But there may be a way to break away from it — a little something called self-care.
What is self-care?
Self-care, as the name suggests, refers to the act of taking care of oneself, so as to promote overall well-being. It may seem like an indulgence, but it’s quite the opposite. Building a healthy relationship with yourself often requires patience, consistency, and the awareness to put in the time — but it’s definitely worth the while. Especially for a healthy, happy and fruitful life.
How do I practice it?
The key to successfully practicing self-care lies in taking small steps. It involves making conscious efforts to keep the mind, body, and soul healthy.
- Ease your mind
Mental health is the cornerstone to one’s overall health, and emotions have a huge impact on it. So the first step to having a healthy mind is to deal with your emotions — this will improve your mood as well as your relationships with near and dear ones. So take time to understand, and be in touch with how you feel.
- Keep a journal
- Take some time off work to compose yourself
- Find ways to express your emotions
- Dwell on happy memories
- Do more of what makes you feel accomplished
- Nourish your Body
Taking care of your physical health will definitely benefit you in the long run. Take small but consistent steps to keep yourself physically fit and away from sickness.
- Incorporate some form of exercise in your daily routine
- Choose healthier food options
- Get six to eight hours of sleep every day
- Visit the doctor for regular health check-ups
- Soothe your Soul
Getting in touch with yourself through spirituality can work wonders. This doesn’t necessarily come from being religious; introspection, self-awareness, and building a meaningful relationship with the things around can help too. Channel your mind to focus on more than just your daily routines, and be sure to take time off for some soul searching.
- Spend at least five minutes a day meditating
- Practice the art of gratitude
- Be mindful of yourself and your surroundings
- Get in touch with nature
Remember that self-care is a practice that focuses on the long-term — which means that it requires commitment and consistency. So start small, and eventually move on to bigger goals. If you are unable to stick to it, don’t give up. Instead, forgive yourself and get back to it — after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
