Self-Care Made Simple

By Donna Stark

Self-care is hard. Not because it is physically hard to do, but because many of us are conditioned to put ourselves last and after everyone else. How many times do you put the needs of those around you before your very own? If the answer is "quite often," you may want to change some things in your life. Adopting self-care behaviors into your daily routine is vital for your mental, physical, and emotional health, so stop putting it off! Here are some simple suggestions on what to do.

Do Something You Love

One of the best things you can do is to simply do what you love. Engaging in a hobby, whether it's painting, cooking, or restoring old motorcycles, will help reduce stress, decrease inflammation, and improve your overall health and wellness. 

Create a Gratitude Journal

Jotting down a few things you are grateful for each day is a great way to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression, and the actual process of writing and remembering is a great way to sharpen your cognitive skills. Keep a journal by your bed so you can either start or end your day in gratitude.

Choose Healthy Snacks

You need to fuel your body throughout the day and a good way to do that is with healthy snacks, so skip the vending machines and sweet treats by choosing quick and healthy ones instead. Alternatives like a banana with peanut butter, raw vegetables with hummus, Greek yogurt with berries, or a handful of nuts and seeds are great options to select.

Meditation

You can reduce the damaging effects of too much stress and anxiety by meditating for a few minutes each day. Even just five minutes a day will make a huge impact! To get started, decorate a spot in your home that is quiet and peaceful with cushions, candles, aromatherapy, and low lighting. Take a few deep breaths and allow your body to relax.

Head Outdoors

No matter how busy your day is, it is important to find the time to head outdoors. Establish this new habit of yours by keeping a pair of shoes by the door, taking a walk during lunch, and playing with your children at the park. Spending time outdoors can be very beneficial in small increments of time too, so leave the excuses behind, lace up your shoes, and get moving!

Self-Care Made Simple

There is more than one way to approach your self-care routine so you may need to experiment with different things before you figure out what works the best. Just remember, you have to do this for yourself, so try to prioritize it every single day.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Sacramento, Calif.