Self-care is a very necessary part of a healthy life-style. Too often we can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life’s day to day activities, that we often neglect the most important tasks of them all, which is taking care of ourselves. Our world came to a complete standstill in the middle of March due to a pandemic which has drastically affected life as we once knew it. Many of us have been working from home, which in itself can create additional stressors; where we work without taking adequate breaks, thus leading to burnout. Like you, I am guilty as charged.  As we grapple to adjust to our new normal, let us not forget to take care of ourselves as well.  Here are 7 self-care ideas to try at home that can help to reduce stress, anxiety and boost your overall mood.

 

Self-Care Ideas To Try

1. At Home Spa Day: You can never go wrong with an at home spa day. After a long week at work I love to pamper myself by setting aside some time on the weekend for an at home facial and a long bath with some of my favourite scrubs from the Body Shop, namely the Wild Argan Oil Exfoliating Scrub and the Mango Exfoliating Sugar Scrub. So what are you waiting for? Grab your favourite shower gel, bath oils, scrubs and maybe a little candle light to set the mood for an evening of self-care.
2. Water: Hydration is a necessary part of keeping healthy and feeling good overall.  There are so many benefits to drinking water. A simple google search will provide a list of health benefits. Try adding cucumbers, lemons or strawberries to enhance the taste while reaping the benefits that these fruits and vegetables offer.
3. Exercise: The benefits of exercise are endless. It can improve your overall mental health and mood, reduce your risk of heart diseases and of course encourage weight loss. I try to exercise at minimum 3 to 5 times each week incorporating cardio, resistance and weight training. In an upcoming blog post I will be sharing the equipment I have been using at home to aid in my workouts.
4. Going Outside:  Venturing outside is vital especially now that most of us work from home. The vitamin D and the atmosphere in itself  is a very necessary part of  building our immune system. However, while venturing out, please remember to be safe by wearing a mask, sanitizing and washing your hands upon returning.  This is definitely something that I struggled with especially at the beginning of the quarantine period, however I’ve gotten noticeably better at going out for fresh air, over the last few weeks.
5. Treat Yourself: Like the hashtag says on instagram #treatyoself – there is absolutely nothing wrong with letting lose and doing what you want. So eat that cookie, buy that dress order food-in. In essence, live a little; you’ve worked hard for it.  If looking for some retail therapy, be sure to check out my favourites shop, with items I’ve been eyeing for the summer here.
6. Reading: Make some time to read that book you’ve been meaning to get to, whether fiction or non-ficton. You can join a book club or subscribe to informational magazines like the business insider, Forbes or the wall street journal.
7. Rest: Rest is imperative for our bodies to function at at its best. According to research adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to function at their best. Being well rested means that you’ll be more productive throughout  the day. Should you have trouble sleeping try meditation or chamomile and lavender teas before bed. This is something I’ve incorporated over the last week and I’ve seen msome positive changes.

All in all self-care is just as necessary as eating food. I hope you do take the time to incorporate some of these self-care ideas into your daily and weekly routines. If you incorporate any of these in your current lifestyle, do share below how they’ve helped your overall mental and physical health.  Take care of yourselves till next-time.

Xoxo,

Kimberly