Nowadays it’s more important than ever to take the time to look after yourself and practice a little self-care. All of our lives are getting busier and busier and if you don’t take the time to look out for number one then who will? Spending more time in front of screens, less time outdoors, being constantly contactable and always being expected to reply instantly to both personal and work communications can quickly lead to you becoming stressed or anxious. This stress can manifest itself in many ways but with some simple self-care, you can make the positive changes required to get your life back on track.

Investing in self-care has been proven to reduce stress, improve our emotional health and lead to people having a better outlook on life. Self-care is essentially any activity you take part in that will make you feel good and lead to improvements in your mental, emotional and physical health. There are countless podcasts, books and online gurus constantly preaching about all of the things that you should be doing to look after yourself in today’s increasingly busy world. However, the truth is that self-care can be as simple as treating yourself to professional teeth whitening to boost your self-confidence, going for a walk to get some fresh air or treating yourself to a morning where you don’t set an alarm so you can finally sleep in and catch up on some sleep. As everyone is different, it’s important that you find self-care activities that work for you and that will help you to relax and feel better. 

Let’s take a look at just some activities you can try on any self-care day that you organise for yourself. 

Try Meditating 

Meditation and deep breathing are excellent tools for anyone practising self-care. These activities help the body relax and to slow your heart rate down, allowing you to feel more at ease. If you are new to meditation, try an app like Headspace or Calm to get you started.

Take A Long Bath 

While soaking in a warm bath certainly feels great, it has proven health benefits too. In addition to helping you to relax, bathing in hot water has also been proven to calm the nervous system, relieve aches and pains and can help you to shut off from the digital world. 

Put On A Face Mask 

If you’re planning a self-care day, it’s always a good idea to pick up some face masks in advance. Slathering a cool mask onto your face not only feels great but is also an excellent way to purify your skin and reduce inflammation. For those feeling creative, you can also try making your own!

Go For A Walk 

Getting out into the fresh air, hearing the sounds of nature and feeling the sun on your skin is good for you. Take a walk but without any purpose other than to just move about outdoors. This simple activity is one we all take for granted nowadays and it can really soothe your soul. 

Unplug For A Day 

That mobile device that you constantly have in your hand is a bigger cause of stress and anxiety than most of us would like to admit. We are all addicted to our smartphones, tablets and computers and being apart from them can be challenging. Try unplugging for a day and you might be surprised at how at ease you will suddenly feel. 

Declutter Your Home 

There’s nothing more stressful than sitting down and trying to relax in a cluttered home. For many people, one of the best ways to reduce stress and feel accomplished is to do some housework. Kill two birds with one stone by decluttering your home and your mind by tidying up your space.

Eat Something Delicious

We spend so much time denying ourselves the foods that we like. Yes, pizza, chips, burgers and milkshakes are not healthy but every now and then you need to let loose and indulge a little. Eat something delicious ad enjoy it without feeling guilty and own it!

Read A Book 

Do you have a list of books that you have been promising yourself you are going to read but can never find the time to do so? If so, carve out some time to sit down and read one of those books you have had your eye on. Making a little time to do something simple just for you can be very rewarding. 

Be Selfish And Plan A Day Of Self-Care That’s All About You

As we all have different tastes and preferences, it’s important that you plan a self-care day that is centred around what you enjoy. The ideas above are a great place to start but don’t be afraid to be inventive. With the right approach to self-care, you can be sure that you will be feeling refreshed and re-energised in no time.