With everything going on in people’s day to day life, it is important that you make sure to take care of yourself and your health. While life can get busy and really overwhelming, there are still ways that you can make time for yourself. Some people find that being by themselves is more beneficial, but others have found that being with the ones they love is best. No matter which type you are, this article will have tips on how you can improve your self care habits.
Self-care can come in many different forms, and it’s important that people find routines that fit their needs. Different pillars come with it, like emotional, mental, physical, or environmental.
First off, start with different tactics to enhance your mental health. Unleashing your creativity has been shown to help people, and this can be done in different styles. Drawing, sketching, or painting are prime examples of this. There are also things like photography, going to a nice scenic area, and capturing as many pictures as needed. While creativity is not necessary, there are still many options utilizing it. For the people on the less artistic side, there are a plethora of activities to take care of your mind. Setting goals for yourself and prioritizing your mind are two. Any ambitions and hopes that one may have need to be first in line of priorities, to make sure that your wants and needs are not discarded.
Physical health is just as important as any other. Taking care of your body is the foundation of being able to take care of everything else. This doesn’t have to be difficult, something as simple as a 30 minute walk, jog, or run can get this done. Consistency is key, so if you are looking to keep this up set aside 30 minutes out of a couple days a week to stay persistent. SHS sophomore Halle Zimlich says, “I am on the swim team as well as water polo, and it allows me to be outside everyday. It’s one of my favorite things to do and it makes me excited to come to school.” Going outside to workout may not be for everybody, so indoor workouts are also an option. An alternative to working out can be meditation, which can be practiced outside or inside. Meditation is used to help reduce stressful feelings in your body, and calm any anxieties one may be feeling. Your brain gets a chance to reset from the long day when practicing meditation.
SHS freshman Leah Ko had this to say: “normally, I like to workout a couple times a week to get up and moving. I just started lacrosse so that also gets me up. Drinking a lot of water is also important because it keeps you energized and able to do things! Other than exercise I also like to read books, I have read like 5 this year so far! I think self care is really important so people can always feel energized and ready to start everyday on a clean slate. Everybody should have one thing that they enjoy doing and that brings them happiness.”
While some may not realize it, reevaluating your environment can also be a form of self care. If you surround yourself with things that are not beneficial to you, that can drastically impact your mental health and lower your happiness. This can be people, places, or even your home. Having a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind, so picking up your house in small increments can help to declutter. For some it is not their homes, it is their friends or their colleagues. If you have people in your life that are obstructing your path to a healthy mindset, it might be time to have a talk with them about how you are feeling, or disconnect from them until you have fully thought over how you feel.
These are just some of the many ways you can enforce self care into your life, and it is important to take care of your mind, body, and soul.