8 Ways to Practice Better Self Care

     

Walking to Work While Listening to My Favorite Music

     I think for many of us, there are all too many times that it becomes too easy to forget about taking care of ourselves.  Personally, I don't think this is a terrible problem to have, as it shows that many of us have learned to live outside ourselves, but that thought process only goes so far.  Even the best of us only have so much to give, so it is extremely important that we remember to focus on our own personal needs every once in a while.  The way I look at it, the better I take care of myself, the more of myself I have to give to others. So, to address the problem of how exactly to do that, I have put together a list that will hopefully help at least a little bit.

1.) Get the Right Amount of Sleep
     All too often I see posts about getting more sleep, and while for many people today that may be a good idea, I do not think that is a good thing for everyone.  While getting a lot of sleep is definitely a good thing, as that is the time our body takes to rest and recharge for the coming day, too much sleep can be a bad thing.  Personally, I like to get about eight hours of sleep.  My body automatically likes to start waking up after seven and half hours or so, so I have a good half hour to let my body wake up on it's own before I actually have to get out of bed.  I have noticed that when I sleep much less, or more, than that I am groggy throughout the day, and it makes it hard to do everything I want to do.

2.) Eat Food That Makes You Feel Good
     This goes for both the good and the bad.  I have slowly begun to believe that there aren't really any "bad" foods out there (unless you have an allergy, please don't die).  My grandma has told me all growing up that it is all in moderation.  Even too much water can be harmful for a person, even though it is very hard to actually drink that much water.  Eat foods the energize your body, and keep it healthy, but don't be afraid to have that chocolate chip cookie every once in while, or a small popcorn at the movie theater, just don't go too overboard, because this is what harms the body and makes it sick.

3.) Make Exercise Fun
     Please tell me I am not the only one that sometimes dreads gong to the gym.  It is incredibly important that we give our bodies exercise, but sometimes it just isn't fun.  There has been a countless number of times that I have sat in the car dreading going to the gym (even though when once I get going I actually rather enjoy it).  Because of this, I think it is important for us to find ways we enjoy to get exercise.  For example, pick a sport.  I love Tae Kwon Do, and in doing Tae Kwon Do I have found a way to get exercise without even thinking about it.  Go for a hike, take up biking, take a long walk, anything that might seem fun to you.  Eventually, getting enough exercise becomes an after thought, instead of something to dread.
     
4.) Write in a Journal
     Writing in a journal is a great way to destress, as well as a great way to help us realize the many good things that really do happen to us throughout the day.  Personally, I like to focus a lot more on the positive things, as they help me to see how much I have to be grateful for when I am writing, but I have learned recently the benefits of including other things as well, such as different trials I might face, and then later the ways I have gone about fixing those problems, and overcoming different challenges. Either way, journaling has proved to be a very positive experience for me, and I am glad that they will be recorded for generations to come.  I know how much I love when I discover an ancestor of mine has had a journal, and I hope my posterity will be love it as well.

5.) Watch a Movie Alone and Turn Off All Distracting Devices and Social Media
     The idea behind this is getting some time to oneself.  Whether it be through a movie or a good book, take some time for yourself.  Watch the movie that you want to watch, no matter what anyone else thinks.  Curl up under a blanket, grab your favorite snack, and enjoy.  If you really feel like it, pamper yourself, dress up in something that makes you feel good, and go watch a movie in a theater. It's good to be independent every once in a while, as it helps one to keep their sense of self.  Take some time, and do what you want to do.

6.) Pamper Yourself
     Get a massage, get a manicure, or a pedicure, or if you're not into that sort of thing, do something else you might like.  Take a warm bath, buy a pair of soft, fuzzy pajamas or socks and curl up on the couch or enjoy laying in the grass if it's warm enough.  Do something that you normally wouldn't do, that you might love to do.  It may not be possible to get a mani/pedi every three weeks, or a ninety minute massage, or whatever, but it is good to do sometimes.  Just do something that makes you feel good.  Anything to help yourself relax, regroup, and enjoy.  It's okay to step away from the stresses of life every once in a while.

7.) Stargaze
     Go outside and enjoy the starts.  Not only is the fresh air good for you, but so is a little time looking at the starts.  Take the time to admire their beauty, and ponder about the wonders of the world.  Take the time to think with no distractions.  Simply enjoy the outdoors.

8.) Find A Hobby
     This just may be the best and most important one in my opinion.  Reason being, there are so many different things that we can do to take care of ourselves, but many of them are just once in a while things.  It is important for people to have a regular release, to let out the stress, and enjoy life.  It is important that we each have our own sense of purpose.  A hobby is something that can be done regularly, whether it more or less often.  Personally, I enjoy Martial Arts, scrap booking, and blogging. These are things that I can do more often, that help me focus on myself a little, while still allowing a generous amount of time for others.  So, if you don't yet have a hobby, I encourage you to find one. Do something you love.

     An easy way to focus more on self care if these items on the list are not for you, allow yourself to do something you want to do.  It can be something on this list, or something completely different. The goal is to relax, have fun, and focus on you.  


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