So I just tried to summarize a few routine self-care practices that have been practiced worldwide and changed as time goes by to help people cope with mental health issues and maintain their sanity. Some of them definitely keep me from plunging too deep into darkness on my bad days but instead, they help me fuel my good ones. They have taught me that every day I must prioritize self-care otherwise I won’t be able to work as well as I’m currently doing. The more time, love, and care I treat myself with, the better I become at dealing with mind’s voices that sometimes make me question my sanity. Caring for yourself gives you confidence like never before because you realize you can reach great heights in life.Â
it’s time to explore and study these practices and incorporate them into your daily routine to shower yourselves with the love and care you truly deserve
1. A power nap to boost your energy:
A power nap during the day always seems helpful in keeping us charged up for taking on more challenges later in the day. Sleep affects us both physically, emotionally, and mentally in one of its most pronounced ways ever seen. Being a well-deserved human being I should be able to tell what is being ignored in my daily routine and how it affects me and my personality. So when I feel tired out, the options I prefer to opt for are taking a nap, going to sleep early, having a lie-in, or just switching off and relaxing. It’s important to know when you’re tired or burned out then respond accordingly with some nice sleep.
2. Cooking your favorite food:
It may sound cliché but I believe that the way through one’s heart is directly associated with their stomach. For me personally, it occupies a very special niche there; as much as I love eating, I also enjoy preparing meals. Simply put, cooking is a passion for me while of course enjoying the food itself comes naturally. Many people will agree with me that when we are emotional or have had a bad day there are certain types of dishes that we crave. For example, today could be one of those days where I find myself craving for chocolates or maybe cookies, or something different for dinner. Cooking is one of my best ways to relax; moreover, it feels wonderful sitting down and relishing the meal or snack you prepared yourself since you can see your food making its way from raw ingredients through delicate processes into a dish ready for the table before your eyes. Indeed, eating your favorite type of food is considered among life’s most pleasant experiences!
3. Give yourself a special treatment:
This is not a routine thing, but you can make it one if you find an inexpensive way to do it. Maybe you’ve been wanting a massage for months – indulge yourself. Maybe since it opened, you have wanted to stay in that luxury hotel – go ahead and let yourself do so. Maybe you’ve had your eye on one of the top intimates in some premium collection – ‘Treat yourself’ is the appropriate advice here. Invest in your skincare products because when you look good, you feel good. Make treating yourself a habit every now and then.
4. Quit social media for a bit:
It’s 2024 and we’re all glued to our phones. Right now as I write this blog post, maybe even while reading this article right now, you’re glued to your phone. However, after going through this piece, I suggest that maybe you should put your phone away and be offline for some time. This year I have tried avoiding my phone, especially at night. It has improved my sleep cycle greatly; I fall asleep faster, earlier bedtimes; more comfortable sleep; and much better mornings, therefore I would recommend giving it a try for sure!
5. Declutter Your Personal Space:
You may be wondering how decluttering can be considered as self-care. Our moods are very influenced by the environment that surrounds us. The furniture in our house, the maintenance of our kitchen and living room, even where we place our bed in our bedroom shows a lot about our personality as well as the type of person we are; similarly, it determines whether we are happy or sad but also determines our mood swings, although, it’s not necessary for you to do spring cleaning throughout your home from top to bottom. Start by noting all the areas you would like to declutter and then walk through them one at a time. You may do it once a month; the key thing is to start and finish, not postpone it until another day. Minimize the amount of clutter in one’s life. As such you will feel like you actually did something that will push you forward elsewhere!
6. Cry It Out Loud!
Contact a friend or any person you love to meet. Alternatively, meet with them face to face or even make a phone call and cry your heart out!! You may explain to them what is troubling you, and it will definitely make you feel better and relaxed.
7. Journaling:
Take out some time to write down things that you are grateful for, goals that you want to accomplish, or simply a list of things that bring joy into your life. You could also talk about the things that upset and disappoint you. Perhaps one of the most therapeutic things we can do is put our thoughts on paper. This makes us more accountable and committed if we record our goals and desires. Additionally, writing thoughts and feelings allows us to connect with ourselves; comprehend emotions; and prioritize sentiments, all these contribute significantly to improved mental health.
It’s been a month since I started keeping journals in my diary daily. Personally, I believe that writing down my thoughts every day is an accomplishment in itself for several reasons; hence, I would like you to follow and establish this habit of journaling too.
8. Owning some pets:
Being a pet owner is a choice I can never deem regrettable and a fact that I can assure each and every one of you with all my spirit!! No matter what is your financial capability, locality, or even career, a pet will always be there. Your pet loves you and you can have a proof of it when you walk back from work. That way, you learn that you can depend on them to talk about your day with them without the fear of being reprimanded. Your pet will never reprimand you, and you will never lack understanding. That way, you feel loved and heard, helping you develop self-confidence. So OWN A PET TODAY!!!
9. Talking and spending time with nature:
Simply being in nature or even seeing natural scenes decreases veils of anger, fear, and tension while it improves one’s mood. Nature does not only promote mental health but also physical well-being by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and production of stress hormones.
Your environment can significantly affect your physical and mental health since it can determine your mood, and behavior as well as the neurological, endocrine, and immunological systems.
One of the most important attributes that contribute to how a room feels is the presence of windows. A window with natural light coming through and an outside view of natural elements is almost a necessity for anywhere you will be spending a considerable amount of time. Even working in a workplace without any windows has been found to be associated with poor sleep quality and unhappiness.
The act of simply introducing a window into any room can have a massive impact on people’s mental well-being inside. If you want your heart to grow big and find peace from within then always be with nature as much as possible.
Let's wrap!!
I do self-care more on regular days, not only when I feel low, and I make myself do it daily to ensure that my mental hygiene is excellent. With time, many of my mental issues have diminished. The more time I dedicate to myself, the better I can cope with life. I become more confident in myself as I practice self-love, and I do understand myself more and more to know what I am doing and for what purpose. My perception of many things has drastically changed. I love myself more now. So, if you have not been taking care of your body, know that you are special, and you should dedicate time to self-care. It has such an impact that in my experience, if I make self-love my number one, everything else would fall into place automatically.