With the holidays quickly approaching, there has never been a better time to begin to practice self-care. Self-care is a preventative measure that helps individuals deal with daily life stressors before becoming overwhelmed. It is useful to think of self-care as a necessity, such as brushing your teeth or eating. According to Healthy Place, self-care is important for maintaining both mental and physical health. Self-care helps you remain effective, energetic, and confident – all while helping you avoid burnout.
Self-care can be a monthly, weekly, or even daily ritual. It can be expensive or completely free. Below are some ideas that you can put into place that make self-care easier than ever!
Daily:
- Write in a journal.
- Research something you’re interested in.
- Meditate or take a nap.
- Take a long bath.
- Exercise.
- Spend some time with your pet.
Weekly:
- Spend an hour alone focusing on something you want to do, rather than anything you must do.
- Read a book, listen to an audiobook, or watch a movie.
- Take a class for fun.
- Spend time absorbed in spirituality.
Monthly:
- Get a massage.
- Clean out your closets (or declutter another area in your home).
- Meet with friends to catch-up on life.
- Take a day trip.
- Spend the day at the zoo or a museum.
Above all else, ensure that the time you use for self-care is time spent being selfishly devoted to yourself and things you want to do. This is the time to you need to be selfish so that you can be your best version of yourself to everyone else.