As vaccines become readily available, counties, schools, and school districts have started seriously thinking about reopening schools and businesses. We want to take the time to note that self-care will be more important than ever, and we wanted to share these Daily self-care tidbits that anyone can do.
Practice mindfulness
We all can practice mindfulness, it’s a natural quality that we have as people. When we practice mindfulness, we’re practicing the art of creating space for ourselves to think, breath, and creating space between ourselves and our reactions. With a lot of us sheltered in place for the past year we’ve had a lot of alone time to (hopefully) pick up mindful practices, and as the world opens back up, remember to take mindfulness with you.
How to practice mindfulness (in 6 easy steps)
- Take a seat. Find somewhere that feels calm and quiet to you.
- Set a time limit. 5 to 10 minutes.
- Notice your body. Sit in whatever way is comfortable and stable.
- Feel your breath. Take notice of your inhales and exhales.
- Notice when your mind has wandered. Return by taking notice to your breathing again.
- Be kind to your wandering mind. Don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of your thoughts, just return to breathing.
Take a self-care break
Self-care is loving and listening to your needs and what will help get you through the day. This can be as simple as focusing on your breath, eating (mindfully), taking a nap, or even taking a device break. During the pandemic we had to constantly remind ourselves about our self-care, and with the return to normal (hopefully more responsible) interactions with the outside world we remember to take the time for self-care.
Use positive Affirmations
Think positively, and self-empowerment. Be your biggest cheerleader and tell yourself the positive things you want and need to hear.
Saying things like:
- Am I good enough? Yes I am.
- Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life.
- Good Riddance to decisions that don’t support self-care, self-value, and self-worth.
- I am the greatest.
Are all valid affirmations that can be repeated to ourselves to help us find our ‘center’.
Go outside (once in a while or every day)
Even during the Pandemic’s shelter in place orders, going outside (backyard, front yard, for a drive, etc) was necessary to maintaining self-care. As the pandemic winds down, and some (if not most) of us return to the workforce outside of home. It’ll always remain important to go outside. Studies have shown that stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature, reduces cortisol and boosts endorphins. Go outside. Even if it’s for a little while.
Eat well-balanced meals and Drink Plenty of Water
Health-wise, our minds and bodies are very interconnected to one another. If we don’t take care of our bodies our mental health suffers. SO easier said than done, but remember to eat well-balanced meals and drink plenty of water. Set multiple phone alarms to remind you to drink water, snack throughout the day (healthy snacks like fruit or granola), and eat breakfast!
Take a mental health day
If the pandemic taught us anything about our mental health, it’s to (if you’re able to) take a mental health day from time to time. Listening to your mental health needs and knowing when to take a day is beneficial to your overall functionality and health in general. If you can take a mental health day to recharge your batteries (social or otherwise), do it. Take advantage of it.
Breathe deeply, all day everyday
Breathing is a big part of self-care and mindfulness (it’s also a very important part of living). So make sure you do it. Use it to give yourself pause, or a focal point when being mindful.
Go to bed early, or sleep in late, or just find time to sleep
Sleep is good. Prioritize sleep in your day to day schedule, let your body and mind rest. Even during those moments when there isn’t enough time in the day, make sure to find some time to do a full 6-7 hours of sleep, or in a pinch take a 15-20 minute nap. The benefits of sleep are tremendous.