Self-Care is more than just Mani-Pedis and Massages
Some women may associate self-care with lavish spa treatments like manicures, pedicures, and massages, but these activities only touch the surface of what self-care truly means.
In reality, self-care habits are an essential agreement with yourself to regularly take time to recharge your body and soul. It involves prioritizing your mental, emotional, and physical health daily rather than solely when you have a free moment.
This post aims to dispel the myth that there is a “right” or “wrong” way to practice self-care and encourages you to try a holistic approach to prioritizing well-being by creating healthy habits to work with your lifestyle.
I just don’t have time.
I’m sorry to tell you the harsh truth, but these are just excuses. Most women are wired to take care of everyone and everything around them before caring for themselves.
Making excuses is easier than feeling like we might let our loved ones down.
But you are letting yourself down, and that’s not ok.
We, women, need to WANT to take care of ourselves. Putting yourself first isn’t about eating certain foods or gym time.
It’s about setting yourself up to want to make better choices for your health.
When you are tired, frustrated, and overly stressed, that’s when unhealthy decisions are made.
What does it take to make you WANT to change?
Consider this: you are at the Dr. she says you have high blood pressure and are prediabetic. Changing your lifestyle habits will help reverse these conditions.
For some, this is enough to WANT to make changes, but for many, you will continue to put yourself last by making excuses.
Now imagine, the doctor says, if you don’t start taking better care of yourself by making lifestyle changes, you will won’t be alive for your daughters wedding, to enjoy retirement or have fun with your grandchildren etc.
Now would you be ready to make changes?
As a healthy habits coach, I know these changes are hard, that’s why small steps bring more success.
What do self-care habits look like in practice?
Here are 4 Small Steps
1. Eat better
What we put into our bodies directly impacts how we feel and function.
Making an effort to eat a balanced, nutritious diet is a crucial aspect of self-care.
This might involve meal planning, cooking at home more often, and being mindful of portion sizes and snacking habits.
2. Move More
Exercise doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym or running marathons.
Finding physical activities that you enjoy and that get your heart rate up can do wonders for your mood and energy levels.
This might include taking a yoga class, going for a bike ride or brisk walk, or dancing around your living room.
3. Sleep Better:
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, it resets your hunger, fullness, and stress hormones setting you up for a healthier day
Prioritizing a good night’s sleep can mean establishing a regular bedtime routine, creating a comfortable sleeping environment, and minimizing screen time before bed.
4. Manage stress
Life can be stressful, and chronic stress can take a toll on our bodies and minds. We eat more, snack more and sit more.
Practicing stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and journaling can help to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.
Bookend self-care habits at the beginning and end of your day
One of the best ways to ensure you prioritize self-care is to bookend it into your daily habits,
Start with the morning and ending with the night.
In the morning, you can start by setting aside time for activities that nourish your body and mind, such as drinking a glass of water, doing light stretches or yoga, or taking a few minutes to meditate or journal.
This can help you start the day feeling refreshed and grounded.
At night, you can wind down by turning off screens at least an hour before bed, taking a warm bath, reading a book, or practicing a relaxation technique such as deep breathing or visualization.
These self-care practices can help you ease into a restful night’s sleep, which is essential for your overall health and well-being.
By bookending your day with self-care practices, you can create a daily routine that promotes balance, calm, and resilience, and you will want to make healthier choices!
Self-care is prioritizing our own well-being. so we can show up as our healthiest and best selves in all areas of our lives and live longer and stronger.
You want to eat healthier, move more, and snack less but you just can’t stick to routines?
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