Self care is so important and it should be a vital part of all of our routines, no matter how busy we are. Whether you have an hour a day to spare or just 15 minutes, you should spend it doing something that helps you to unwind, something that clears your mind, makes you feel good or happy. This is different for everyone, however we have a few universal components you can add to your self care routine that we know will make you feel fantastic. So, let’s get into it and help you to create your dream self care routine!
Move Your Body
The first important component of a self care routine is to move your body. Being active in some way is so important for both our physical and mental health, helping you to feel relaxed throughout the day, plus when your physical health is good it has the best effect on your mental health. Moving your body means something different for everyone, and self care for some people might be a heavy weight lifting session or intense fitness class, however if you prefer something lower intensity, we have plenty of options. Things like countryside walks, yoga and swimming can all be fantastic ways to relieve stress and get the body moving without needing lots of energy. So, put on your favourite gym leggings and get moving and your body and mind will thank you for it.
Put Your Phone Down
Another thing you can do for self care is to simply put your phone down. If you spend a lot of time on your phone, start making an effort to reduce your screen time and spending that time on self care. Say you spend 2 hours a day on your phone, you could replace that with a gym class, reading a good chunk of a book, having a hot bath and doing your skincare routine, spending time with friends or family, listening to a podcast, learning something new or cooking a delicious meal. A great place to start is setting aside an hour a day that you would usually spend on your phone and choosing an activity to replace it. You will gradually become less reliant on your phone and you’ll notice that you spend much more time doing things that are highly beneficial to your self care.
Eat Nutritious and Delicious Foods
Last but not least, you should nourish your body with delicious and nutritious foods as part of your self care routine. This is all about eating foods that you love whilst also trying to make healthier choices that will help your body to thrive. Instead of cutting out all bad foods, the best place to start is by prioritising more healthy foods. Foods high in vitamins and minerals, high in protein, high in fibre and healthy fats should be a priority in your diet, and then over time, you will gradually want to eat less unhealthy foods. So, a great self care exercise is to set aside time to cook a delicious meal that is filled with nutrients.
