10 Easy Steps for Self Care...

Practicing Self-Care Is Important.

Here are 10 Easy Habits To Get You Started…

By Noma Nazish

No matter how indulgent or fancy the term may sound, self-care is crucial for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Here’s why self-care is a good idea:

eileen-sutherland-MSW-Self-Care.jpg

Know your worth: Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself as it produces positive feelings and boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Also, it reminds yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.

A healthy work-life balance: Overwork and its accompanying stress and exhaustion, can make you less productive, disorganized and emotionally depleted. Self-care habits like taking intermittent breaks (for lunch, calling your mom, or taking a stroll), setting boundaries, and avoiding overextending ensure you stay sharp, motivated and healthy.

Stress management: While a little dose of stress can nudge us to meet a deadline or finish a task, constant stress and anxiety can have an adverse effect on your mental and physical health. Smart self-care habits like eating healthfully, connecting with a loved one, or practicing meditation cuts down the toxic effects of stress by improving your mood and boosting your energy and confidence levels.

Start living, stop existing: Life is a precious gift, so why waste it when we have the choice to have a more meaningful existence? You have a lot of responsibilities, yes, but taking care of yourself is also your responsibility. Little things like sipping tea, enjoying a warm bath, or reading a book can significantly increase your daily happiness. So can taking up a new hobby or learning a new language.

Better physical health: Self-care is not just about your mental health. It’s also about caring for your physical self, by eating healthfully, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly.

10 IDEAS FOR SELF-CARE

  1. Go for a run or a light jog.

  2. Meditate or deep breathe for five minutes.

  3. Take a break when you need it.

  4. Choose who you spend time with.

  5. Laugh heartily at least once a day.

  6. Eat green daily.

  7. Avoid emotional eating.

  8. Start a journal.

  9. Learn to say ‘No.’

  10. Stop overthinking.

Lastly, don’t put it off for the next weekend or the zombie apocalypse. Start today and if you are consistent. It won’t take long before you begin to see the difference!