While we have our personal commitments and demanding schedule, it is important to have a doable self-care routine. It will help nourish our bodies to keep us going. Check these simple tips that you can do today. This is not to make you feel bad or less than, but it is simply a guide to encourage you that taking little moments to yourself is vital for your wellbeing.
1. Make tea or coffee and listen to ambient music. If you want to have a good start to your day, please, by all means, avoid listening or reading the news first thing in the morning. If you want to set your mood right, start with water and a little bit of music to soothe your ears and calm your surroundings.
2. Read, meditate or journal. This is my favourite part of the day. I enjoy quieting my mind by reading or meditating on what I have read. This helps me to focus my mind on the important things in life and be grateful that I get to enjoy countless blessings.
It’s always good to start our day by being calm and counting our wins -- big or small; is better instead of obsessing over our problems.
Tip: Have you heard of brain dump? This works too if you are anxious about the to-dos of the day or the week, write it all down, let it all out of your head. Sometimes, we procrastinate with tasks because we don’t like doing it. But let it not ruin your day and hang at the back of your mind. You can firstly choose the ones you are comfortable doing. You can always go back to your list and see how you feel. Or maybe ask someone to help you with some of your tasks.
3. Move your body. I usually enjoy high intensity training, but these days, my go-to ones are stretching, Pilates-inspired training, or simply walking around the neighbourhood. Moving our bodies and following its rhythm can be one of the best self-care routine we can do. When done regularly, you will begin to see positive changes such as gaining strength, agility, and maybe losing a few extra pounds.
4. Have a bath soak. Did you know that taking a bath goes beyond relaxation? Healthline enumerates a number of ways we can use bath salts and how our bodies can benefit from it. Some of these are improved circulation, relieved muscle tension, lowered skin inflammation and reduced headaches, anxiety and stress. With these benefits, I believe that incorporating bath soak in your self-care routine is as important as exercising or taking a walk.
Short for time? You can multitask by listening to a podcast, audible, or watching your favourite series. This is meant to be relaxing but if being stuck in a tub stresses you out, maybe take a nap instead.
5. Create a relaxing atmosphere wherever you are. One thing that uplifts my mood is having my essential oil blend which I take with me everywhere. These are handy and helpful in creating a calm and grounded feeling from within. From a single whiff, I can immediately feel relaxed and motivated. And when I'm at home, I also have my ever-reliable diffuser and essential oils. It is not only easy on the eyes but also healthy for our home and bodies. It helps purify the air. You can diffuse citrus essential oils for a fresh clean air not only for the house but for the lungs as well!
As someone who’s very particular and extremely sensitive with odours and dust, this helps begin my day fuss-free.
No diffuser? No problem! Why not try bringing the nature in? Having greens like snake plant, aloe vera, spider plant, and dragon tree that help purify the air in the house can also do the trick. Also, don’t forget to open your windows first thing in the morning to let the fresh air in.
What's your self-care routine like? What's one thing that you can't live without? Share in the comments below!