Stress is unavoidable but how we handle it isn’t, which is why it’s so crucial not to neglect self-care. Practicing healthy habits and making time to take care of yourself each day will allow you to get ahead of your stressors and overcome them. Here are a few ideas on how you can start implementing self-care in your life and begin the path to a better, more relaxed you.
Meditation
If you’re confused about how meditation reduces stress, you’re not alone. We’ve all heard about how meditation can be a great exercise to incorporate into your daily routine, but learning how to do so can be challenging, especially when your mind is racing a mile a minute. However, practicing relaxation even just ten minutes a day can be highly beneficial for your health. This can include meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, or also just giving yourself some time to close your eyes and reflect.
Listen to Your Body
When we’re feeling stressed, our bodies will let us know in various ways. So we need to pay attention to what our bodies are trying to tell us. If you’re experiencing sleepless nights, weight gain, or even skin breakouts, these may be underlying signs that you’re overstressed. Start by training yourself to go to bed at a specific time each night and wake up at the same time each morning to get into the habit of getting a full night’s sleep.
Allocating time to exercise during your day can help too. Physical activity not only expends energy to help us fall asleep with ease at night, but it also reduces the body’s stress hormones, like cortisol, which is linked to weight gain and acne. For additional care for stress-induced acne concerns, a consistent skin care regimen with a relaxing face mask and an acne treatment can do the trick to help us feel better about ourselves.
Make Time for Creativity
Setting aside time to fulfill your creative needs can do wonders for all aspects of your life. It’s a time where you can focus on an activity you enjoy while expressing yourself while also stimulating your brain. Try taking on a hobby or task that will help you problem solve, reflect, and take your mind off of the issues that are causing you to feel stressed. Even if it’s just once a week, make creativity a part of your schedule.
Establish a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Sometimes our jobs can get in the way of our personal lives. It can feel like we’re always trying to accomplish the next project, causing us to bring our work home. Or this could even apply to stay-at-home parents who feel like they never have time just for themselves. In both these cases, it’s essential to establish healthy boundaries between your job and yourself. Learn when to call it a day from work in order to maintain an adequate work-life balance and enjoy your own leisure activities. Or if you’re a parent, schedule out some time that’s just for you, even small moments.
Detox from Social Media
Social media is great for connecting, but it can also cause us tremendous stress. Between compulsively checking notifications and comparing ourselves to unrealistic expectations, it can truly take a toll on our minds. If you notice that you spend hours a day on your phone or always feel the need to check your phone, take a step back Limiting your social media exposure will give you freedom in more ways than you may have imagined. Make it a point to not go on your phone for about an hour before going to sleep and an hour after you wake up in the morning, as this will give you a clearer mind to go to sleep and take on the day. It’s also a great idea to not have your social accounts send you notifications so that you’re less likely to check your phone constantly.
Get Moving
Regular physical activity can do wonders for your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s a great stress-reliever, and it just makes us feel great. Making time or having the energy to workout can seem difficult throughout our week, but it’s not impossible. Being active doesn’t necessarily mean an intense gym session each day. For ideas on how to stay moving throughout the day, go here!
Spend More Time Outdoors
Just getting outside away from our screens can help us decompress and feel less stressed. Taking in a view of nature allows us to get out of our heads and focus on the present. Take advantage of a local hiking trail, walking along a beach, or sitting at a park. Spend more time outside when possible to boost your mood, or even schedule a trip if the current weather in your area isn’t ideal.