Self-care is taking the necessary steps to preserve your health—physically, mentally, and beyond. The University of Alabama at Birmingham emphasizes the importance of self-care by noting that it enhances your overall well-being by preventing illnesses and improving your stress management abilities, thereby improving your quality of life.
If you’re new to self-care and unsure where to start, you can try many forms of self-care besides the traditional massage or spa treatment. Here are some easy daily self-care practices you can consider.
Practice good posture
Maintaining good posture can prevent back pain while boosting your mood and self-esteem. In fact, Psychology Today reveals that posture improves self-esteem by changing how you see yourself. Since your head is held high and your back is straight, you’ll feel more confident and in control of yourself and what’s ahead of you—like your work.
Given this, it’s vital that you practice proper posture daily to improve your confidence and productivity. To do so, roll your shoulders back and keep your face forward. If you’re having difficulty doing this, incorporate ergonomics into your space. These are tools designed to improve productivity while reducing discomfort. An ergonomic office chair will encourage you to correct your posture because it reduces back, hip, and neck strain. For example, the iconic Herman Miller Embody Chair imitates your spine’s natural curve, enabling you to sit comfortably yet correctly.
Share a humandala
A humandala is a guided meditation activity that involves using your body to form shapes with a group of people. Its goal is to create an enjoyable and intentional connection that cultivates synchronicity and consciousness. With it, you’ll have time to slow down, reflect, and connect with others. Ultimately, sharing a humandala makes you feel part of a community, benefiting your mental wellness.
What’s great about this particular activity is that you can share a humandala. wherever and whenever you wish. For instance, you can form a peace star—where everyone connects their “V signs” to create a star—before meals. During this connection, each person can express their gratitude and intention for the food they’re about to enjoy.
Get enough sleep
Sleeping is an essential part of life: your brain and body use this time to repair themselves from daily activities. However, News in Health’s 2021 article “Good Sleep for Good Health” emphasizes that these repairs only occur when you get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep raises your risk of developing conditions—such as heart disease or diabetes—because your body doesn’t get enough time to recover fully.
This is why getting seven or more hours of sleep nightly is essential. Since you likely already sleep nightly, all you need to do is ensure you get the recommended 7-8 hours of shuteye. A weighted blanket can help if this is challenging for you. This heavy blanket aids sleep due to the pressure it puts on your body—similar to a hug—which relaxes your nervous system. The weighted blanket from Layla Sleep, one of the key players in today’s market, has glass beads within hexagon quilting to ensure even weight distribution.
Spend time outdoors
Simply going out into nature can do you wonders. Healthline’s 2022 post “Health Benefits of Being Outdoors” reveals that it encourages mental restoration by offering a refuge to unwind and recharge. For example, chirping birds can hold your attention without draining your mental energy, unlike distracting sounds from a loud TV. By going outdoors, you’ll give yourself a break from your hectic day-to-day schedule and give your mind a bit of downtime.
As such, consider finding the time to go outside once in a while. Doing so doesn’t have to involve doing activities like hiking or camping every weekend. You can simply walk in a garden or through a park and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Self-care is essential in maintaining your overall well-being. Practice these easy self-care techniques daily to improve your quality of life!
