TOP 10 WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE
As a new parent, it is very difficult to find ways and time
to practice self-care. In order to be the best mom, I can be to my little guy, I need to be healthy too. The idea of taking time for myself is guilt inducing.
This might not be true for every parent, which is great. No two people parent
the same, or need the same things, but we all need to take care of ourselves.
Health is not just physical. We can go to the gym and eat a balanced diet, but that does not mean that mental and emotional health can be ignored. Taking care of one’s mental health is paramount to overall health and wellness.
Enjoy the Top 10 Ways to Practice Self-Care!!!
- Get out into Nature- Sit in the sun or take a walk! When the Sun hits the skin, it triggers the release of Vitamin D also known as the Sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D has shown to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)[1]. Sunshine and fresh air promotes feelings of well-being and lower blood pressure.
- Get lost in a Good Book- getting lost in someone else’s story can be a nice reprieve from one’s own story.
- Breathe Deeply- Take a few minutes to take some deep breaths. Deep breathing can help lower your blood pressure and is one of the easiest forms of relaxation. Check out this awesome article from Harvard Medical School on all the benefits of deep breathing.
- Digital Detox-In this crazy world where we are constantly attached to phones, tablets and computers it is so important to disconnect from the rest of the world and reconnect with yourself.
- Meditation- Meditation is a great way to practice self-care. For those who are new to meditation Headspace is a great app to use. 10 sessions free!
- Spa Day! Getting pampered, or pampering yourself is great. Not everyone has time or money to go to a Spa, but at home spa treatments are just as effective! Bustle has great suggestions and recipes for giving yourself luxurious spa treatments in the comfort of your own home.
- Take a Class- Pick something you have always wanted to try and take a class! Always wanted to make sushi? Learn Pilates? Take up knitting? If you don’t live in an area where things are accessible, go to YouTube, you can learn how to do almost anything on YouTube.
- Volunteer- Helping others is good for the soul!
- Veg-Out - Sometimes just being lazy and watching some mindless, silly television can release tension and give you some down time.
- Last, but certainly not least- Dance! Just dance like no one is watching- just let go, put on your favorite song and go crazy.
VeryWell has a really great article on why self-care is so important. Give it a read and see what you think.
Self-care is not only for women, even though a lot of articles are geared that way. These tips are gender neutral and can be indulged in by everyone!
I picked the self-care practices that can be done either at home or for very little money.
Taking even a few minutes to yourself can have great benefits.
I hope you enjoy practicing self-care!
Drop me a line and let me know which is your favorite way to care for yourself!
Allana
[1] Harvard
Medical School. Benefits of Moderate Sun Exposure. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/benefits-of-moderate-sun-exposure
