Life can be chaotic. We have work, keeping up our social ties, and taking care of our loved ones. Looking after ourselves can take a back seat to all else. That needs to change! In order to lead fulfilling lives and be able to feel our best, we need to take time for ourselves every single day.

Getting Back to Basics

One of the most basic things that affect how we feel, yet often overlooked, is how we sleep. To improve the quality of your sleep, you need to be consistent. Try to go to bed at the same hour each night and wake up at the same time each morning. If you rely on an afternoon coffee to get you through the end of the workday, consider changing your routine. Caffeine consumed after 2 p.m. may make it harder to sleep even hours later.

Another way to improve sleep, and simply feel better all around, is to relearn how to unwind at night. Relaxation looks different for every individual. If you need a place to start, try teaching yourself ways to clear your mind. You could go outside and take a walk, read a favorite book, listen to some music while you sketch, or any number of activities that help. Whatever you do to relax, try to keep it consistent.

It’s also important to take a look around your bedroom and see if anything’s off. Too bright? Try some blackout curtains. Too noisy? Get a white noise machine. Is your mattress uncomfortable and over five years old? Maybe it’s time to get a new one.

Physical Health

We need our bodies to live in. It stands to reason that we should take the best care of them that we can, to feel energized and healthy. That starts with eating well. It’s easier to buy premade food, but that’s often not the healthiest solution. Cooking at night, or in batches over the weekend, can be a good way to unwind and eat more healthily. Proteins including organic grass-fed meat, pasture-raised egg or poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds can nourish the body and are easy to fix up quickly. Add at least six servings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day, consumed raw or cooked lightly to maintain nutrition.

Next, forming an exercise regimen can help care for our bodies and get our minds to feel good, too. Physical activity can trigger our brains to release chemicals caused by positive stress. This is why we feel better mentally and physically after workouts. To really see the benefit, you don’t need to commit to hours and hours at the gym. Start by working out for 20 minutes a day. You may be surprised by the increase in wellness you experience!

Standing Up for Yourself

One great stressor in many of our lives is not standing up for ourselves. This means asserting what you need in a way that respects those around you. Be specific about those needs. If you cannot stay late at work because you simply need a break, or because you have other plans, say so! Learn how to say ‘no’ to those who take advantage of you, or those who may have good intentions, but you simply can’t help. Put your happiness, and your wellness, first. This is a big part of truly practicing self-care.

Stress Management

Stress can often be detrimental to your health. That’s why it’s imperative you find ways to mediate your stress. Yoga and meditation are two ways you can do just that. By practicing yoga or meditation regularly, you may see a marked improvement in your mental and physical health. They help you clear your mind and rid yourself of stress both in the moment and long-term.

Another way to lower stress is to take up a hobby. New interests can divert focus away from whatever has been bothering us during the day. By clearing our minds and engaging in something we enjoy, we may be better able to work through those stresses later on. Gardening, photography, puzzles, whatever you choose, a hobby can contribute to your wellness.

It doesn’t take much. A few changes here and there at first. Over time, you may find yourself feeling more energetic and even happier than ever before!

Article by: Brad Krause

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