In a world where everyone expects you to be productive all day everyday, it has been increasingly important for one to start and maintain a self-care routine.
In a study conducted by Southern New Hampshire University, it has been found out that, “Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more.”
In this article you’ll find:
- What is self-care?
- What is NOT self-care?
- 5 Ways to Jump Starting Your Self Care Routine?
- 3 Reasons Why You Should Never Neglect Self-Care
- Bonus: Creating a self-care plan (examples included)
What is Self-Care?
According to SNHU, “Self-care includes anything you do to keep yourself healthy – physically, mentally and spiritually.”
Self-care is the habits, routines and practices that nurture your energy levels so that you can feel your best and be your best self. It is all the routines that help individuals use to manage stressors of life and promote their overall well-being. When you are aware of your needs you can better show up more for yourself. Which results in a deeper ability to show up for relationships that matter. But just like on an airplane, you have to put on your oxygen mask on yourself first to truly help others.
What is NOT Self-Care?
Self-care is NOT selfish and it is NOT self-indulgence. Each person’s self-care routine and needs are going to be different but the key is that you make it personal. It does not mean copying someone else but exploring what makes you feel like your best self.
4 Easy Ideas to Jump-Start a Self-Care Routine
1. Go drink a full glass of water…like now!
Chances are that you are currently dehydrated while reading this article. A survey of thousands of Americans [i] found that 75 percent of Americans likely had a net fluid loss, resulting in chronic dehydration. Although the survey found that Americans drank about eight servings of hydrating beverages per day, this is offset by drinking caffeinated beverages and alcohol and eating a diet high in sodium.
Dehydration can cause a slew of health issues such as fatigue, brain fog, lightheadedness, irritability and many others. Is it easier to grab that coffee or soda? Most likely yes! And sometimes that can be self-care too. But your body needs H2O so grab a glass and chug, your body will thank you.
2. Breathe
When was the last time you thought about your breath? It is a critical component we use to be alive at any given moment yet something we rarely think about. It also happens to be our built in relaxation system. Deep breathing has been proven to “reduce negative subjective and physiological consequences of stress in healthy adults.” Which is a fancy way of saying it helps you chill the freak out!
So go ahead, take a deep breath! Try this simple exercise called box breathing:
Step 1: Breath in while counting to fourStep 2: Hold your breath while counting to four
Step 3: Breathe out the air you were holding while counting to four.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1-4 four times.
Do you already feel better?
3. Move your body
We are not saying jump on a Peloton for an hour (yet) or suggesting you bench press like a high school football player, simply move your body right now. Get up and move. Stretch your arms, walk around the block or office, touch your toes, put on a favorite song and dance! Whatever it is, just move.
If you are reading this, you are in front of a screen. If you are in front of the screen, you are most likely not moving. So get up and move in a way you enjoy.
4. Say I love you to yourself
Your body, your mind, your soul are only yours. It is the only vessel you have to living on this planet at this time. It is your portable home, your favorite food receptor, your rest station and gives you life. When was the last time you said thank you and I love you for being so cool?
Self-love is part of self-care. So whether you feel like it or not, walk up to a mirror right now and with no hesitation tell yourself “I love YOU! Thank you so much for being you.”
Why you should never neglect your self-care
1. Neglecting self care can make you unhappy and unhealthy
When we ignore doing things for ourselves, it can suppress neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which can lead to depression and anxiety. This can also affect things such as energy, sex drive and sleep regulation.
2. Increased Stress
Another reason is that it can potentially stress us out even more by not taking the time to take care of ourselves. Stress compounds on stress. These stressors eventually will affect our level of handling high blood pressure and heart disease.
3. Increased risk of depression and anxiety
Conclusion
So there you have it. Your crash course on the what self-care is and easy ways to get started. Stay tuned for more and deeper education articles as we build the Omu community. We will be sharing free ideas, research and routines to help you get started with your own self-care routine.
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