Make Self-Care a Priority, Not a Luxury
By Brandi Goodman
Taking care of yourself shouldn't be something that's done as an afterthought or once everyone else's needs have been met. You need to make self-care a priority in your life and not have it be a luxury you only sometimes try. Self-care is necessary for mental health.
Find Ways to Fight Stress
Stress quickly takes over our minds and weakens our health. People who are routinely stressed are more likely to suffer from poor sleep, get sick often, and feel chronically fatigued. You need to find ways to fight stress that are best for you, whether you read a book at the end of the day, jot down positive thoughts in a notebook all day long to help fight the negativity, or get in your exercise time.
Exercise
Speaking of exercise, this is something you should do for self-care regardless if it's one of your stress beaters or not. You need to move your body if you have any hope of maintaining your health. Never getting up and exercising can leave you achy, fatigued, and overweight. Find any time you can to fit in it, even if it means parking farther away from the grocery store or taking the stairs instead of an elevator.
Set a Sleep Routine
Failing to get adequate sleep at night can leave you in a really poor mood for the day. It can be difficult to take care of yourself -- let alone others -- when you're living off no sleep. You need to set a sleep routine that helps you drift off easier at night. Take a bath. Use lavender in a diffuser. Put on a sleep mask and block out the world. Do whatever works for you.
Take a Social Media Hiatus
You may feel like spending a few minutes on social media is part of your self-care -- it's time alone after all -- but many times using this as your time away can actually do more harm than good. Scrolling through Instagram and seeing models and seemingly perfect lives can make you feel less than. It tends to bring your mood down far more than lift it up. Do something else during your self-care time and take a social media hiatus.
It's important to make self-care a priority so you can unwind, relax, and de-stress from your day. Failing to do so will leave you regularly stressed and start to take a toll on your mental well-being and physical health. Your own health should always be at the top of your priority list.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Milpitas, Calif.