Self-care is a popular topic in recent years as more people realize that they need to take care of themselves, and it is not selfish to do so. When people picture self-care, they imagine different things; some people see a long bubble bath while others see going to the gym as their self-care. What counts as self-care and the consequences for neglecting self-care depends on the person. After a rough day, eating junk food might be ideal self-care for one person, but eating the same foods could cause more issues for someone else. Stress, diet, lifestyle, and more all combine to create your overall well-being, and self-care is intended for you to personally do what makes your body feel better to improve your well-being. However, if you find yourself facing some bodily oddities, go here to learn more about yeast overgrowth and other common issues, but otherwise, keep reading to learn more about how to practice self-care in your daily life.
Start With Sleep
Sleep is often one of the first things people neglect when life gets in the way. Whether that means working long hours, staying up too late, not being able to sleep due to stress, sleep is always one of the first things we sacrifice in the name of the rest of our life. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep a night to fully recharge and function properly. It can be easy to think you don’t truly need all that sleep, and you can work just fine on less. While you can be awake and reasonably functional with less than seven hours of sleep, it is not worth it. If your body doesn’t get enough sleep, your decision making and judgment starts to decline, your motor skills won’t react as quickly, and it has been shown that driving sleep deprived is just as dangerous as driving drunk. So do not forget your sleep or put it off thinking a few hours doesn’t matter. If you love yourself and your body, you will make getting enough sleep a priority.
Let In The Sun
Sleep is one of the most pushed aside aspects of self-care, but sunlight is another aspect of well being that people forget. It can be easy to stay inside all day with work and home life, but you miss exposure to the sun if you stay indoors. Our skin is designed to take in nutrients from the sun, and keeping our bodies out of the sun may seem harmless, but it goes against what our body naturally wants. Studies have shown that spending time outside, in nature, and absorbing sunlight can improve your well-being, specifically your mental health and quality of sleep. Be careful not to get too much sun as excessive sun exposure creates new problems. Be safe, bring sunscreen and a hat, but enjoy your time in nature.
Organize And DeClutter
It can be hard to improve yourself and make positive steps if you are in an environment that keeps you weighed down. Clutter and disorganization can bog down your life in ways you may not realize. Being surrounded by mess and clutter drags your mental health down, even if your mental health is what is keeping you from cleaning up. This is not to say your home or personal space must be immaculate and perfectly organized at all times, but there is a level of clean vs. clutter that doesn’t negatively affect your health.
Start by cleaning or tidying up one room and work your way through your home at your own pace. Think about what items you need and want to keep and which ones you can donate or throw out. If an item doesn’t make you happy or isn’t used, it may be time to give it away. There is no reason to hold onto old things you don’t need, use, or want. Clearing out all the old stuff you have been carrying over the years will feel good like a weight is lifted and there is more room in your home. Even 20 minutes of cleaning can make a difference and spur you on to clean the rest of your house. Starting is the hardest part, but you will feel better at the end.
Our overall health and well being is tied to many factors. There is no one solution to improve your health, but there are plenty of things you can do every day to practice self-care. Start by ensuring you get enough sleep, so your body has the energy it needs to function. Take a walk outside to soak up the sun and work your way through your clutter to improve your daily health with self-care.