self care remedies
How we take good care of ourselves is probably the most important thing we can do for our mental health and well-being. It's also what helps us feel good about ourselves, and leads to feeling more energetic and energized.
Self-care is not just something that happens once or twice a day; it requires regular practice and repetition. And I firmly believe that self-care should be an integral part of our lives.
How often should you practice what I'm calling' self-care'? Well, that depends on your life goals and priorities, but here's my rough, non-exhaustive list:
1. Take time every day to mentally prepare for the next day. This means taking 10 minutes at the end of each night before falling asleep to write down all the ideas you need in order to get started for the next morning. Then do this exercise again the following morning, just five minutes in advance. In between these two activities, ask yourself if anything needs to be revised. If so, make a note of it. You don't have to complete an entire draft—just jot the main points down. A lot of writers use "in the moment'' as their mantra--it's just easier to focus on the tasks that are currently necessary at that very moment than to think about everything else.
2. Be grateful for all you have right now. Even the smallest things are enough. No matter how small, they're wonderful and can help move forward. Sometimes we forget how much we have because we are constantly looking for the next big thing or something bigger and better. But remember: "The road isn't always wide, and sometimes the other side is blocked!" So stay focused on what matters. Keep doing the things that you love and make progress on them every single day. (And when I say progress in this context, I mean really taking action on your dreams and aspirations, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.)
3. Find new ways to express yourself. Yes, there's nothing wrong with talking to someone, even if you have absolutely nothing to say to them. When you find something you like, try writing a short email to the person or sending a quick text to a friend. There are endless possibilities when it comes to expressing your inner thoughts and feelings. Use whatever method best suits your personality! There's actually a word for it: self-expression. People who don't find any joy in communicating with others might consider themselves hopeless romanticists--they'll spend forever dreaming up their own perfect idea of romance. Some people would prefer to keep their feelings inside, which is perfectly fine too--just don't tell anyone!
4. Get outside. Most of us live by cars, so why shouldn't we take a few extra minutes every day to go for some fresh air? The simplest way to do this is to stop being so busy being around other people, and start spending some time outdoors. Walk around the block or park your car somewhere safe and quiet and close to nature instead. Go on a walk with your dog. Spend some time alone in the garden and look up at the sky. Try running or biking. Anything you do will be beneficial to your soul.
5. Make sure that you eat Healthy Foods. Eating properly can improve your mood tremendously, and it's great for your mind too. Eat nutritious foods in various forms; choose whole grains over white bread, and choose vegetables over junk food. Put the calories from fruits and vegetables into the body rather than into the stomach. Add some lean meat to dishes and mix salads with veggies. Whatever works best for you, choose healthy foods whenever possible.
6. Choose relaxation methods. Nowadays there's tons of information available regarding different kinds of Meditation. Many studies have shown that meditating has several benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety, improving concentration, and easing depression. Just make sure your preferred style of meditation matches your personality and lifestyle and choose one(s) that work for you.
7. Meditate regularly. Meditation is extremely easy to begin with, and almost anyone can benefit from it! Begin by sitting quietly for 5 minutes each day and focusing on breathing deeply through your nose. Focus only on the breath and try not to think about anything else. Do a guided meditation if needed. After about 10 days you should notice changes at home in your sleep pattern and can set yourself up to reap the benefits of regular meditation.
8. Watch your friends. Whether social media influencers, celebrities or sports stars, watch them carefully. What do they want you to know? Does your life match theirs? Is there anything specific they are going to tell you before they get married, get divorced, lose a job, etc.? Don't talk about it until you know! That's a lot harder to keep track of than you'd think. Also, be careful who your friends are. They could be your enemies if you're still hanging out together during a divorce or break-up!
9. Write down your goals. Everyone has goals that they want to achieve or accomplish throughout their lives. These goals might include getting better at schoolwork, saving up for retirement, earning money to buy a house or starting a family, or making a major change in your life. All of these goals require planning and thinking ahead. Write them down before they disappear from view. Whenever and wherever possible, write them down. Your goals will remain important to you in your emotional and psychological development, but they will ultimately become less tangible over time if you leave them unaddressed. You can revisit them later, but it's important to give them proper attention to make sure you stick to them and stay motivated.
10. Ask yourself if the way you are living right now is really helping you. Are you truly happy? Do you feel free and relaxed? Have you found new hobbies and interests, and are you learning new skills on top of those already gained? Or are you just stuck again and cannot seem to change anything? It's vital, especially in the current world where everyone has their own agenda to pursue, to pay attention to how you actually feel. Our happiness is shaped by what we think, how we behave, what we value, and how we treat others. We have access to many resources and opportunities to succeed. Being in the present moment and doing what makes you happy is truly priceless and rewarding to both you and your family.
Now, you are surely wondering why there are so many books, articles, videos and podcasts about finding happiness or managing one’s emotions? The answer is simple: it's because it's important. Emotional intelligence, along with self-care has everything to do with your well-being. Emotionally intelligent people have never been happier than those who practice self-care--and a lack of self-care is bound to lead to unhappiness. Why? Because humans were designed to respond to their environment, so we're naturally wired to seek meaning in all the little things that happen to us. For example, if you're unhappy, it's likely due to something outside of your control. Someone might try to put you down, or criticize you for making mistakes, or embarrass you, or threaten you--these are a few examples of external factors that play in your negative response, causing you to experience stress and pain. On the other hand, if you practice self-care from an early age, develop healthy habits, and accept the fact that life goes on and you will have moments that will hurt you, you won't feel like that anymore. As long as you understand your limits and learn to live day to day without getting attached to a particular outcome, you'll enjoy life much more and be satisfied with yourself.
