10 self-care practices we can easily try

Do you ever forget to look after yourself? Is self-care a priority for you?

In this fast-paced life, it is easy to get swept up in the constant buzz of mobile devices, the 24-hour news cycle, and all of the worries and fears we feel each and every day. So, it would not come as a surprise if you say you often forget to care for yourself.
However, if you don’t, it won’t be long before you’re battered and exhausted and operating like a robot in a brain fog. 

Fret not though.

I am here to tell you that you need not take yourself to an expensive lunch or get a spa done to look after yourself. There are other easy and totally economic ways to unwind and relax. 

Here are 10 self-care practices we can easily try.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep and mood are closely connected and we become irritable and frustrated if we are sleep-deprived. Sleeplessness is also a symptom of depression and anxiety and it puts you at higher risk for heart disease. So, aim for seven to eight hours of a good night’s sleep and all will be well.

Eat your breakfast first and then check your phone

We are addicted to our phones, admit it. We wake up to the alarms ringing on our phones and it is then almost impossible to check the news, weather or that Instagram notification. Resist the urge to look at your electronic devices first thing in the morning. Instead, take time to set your intentions or plan your day. Cook yourself a hearty breakfast because there is a reason why it is called the most important meal of the day.

Work it out!

Exercise is not only for weight loss. Trying to be active throughout the day helps in connecting with your body and increases your focus. You would be more agile, happier, and relaxed as any form of physical activity stimulates brain chemicals to improve your mood.

Plant, Sway, Hike

Practicing a hobby is an important and essential part of self-care. Be it gardening, dancing to your favourite tracks, hiking, knitting, or baking, having a hobby is a real way to create a calming space in your brain.

Practice gratitude

Gratitude and self-care fit together like avocado and toast. Being thankful and implementing gratitude practices in your daily life can open doors to improved relationships, mental and emotional growth, and improved sleep. Keep a gratitude journal, write a letter, and verbalize your appreciation to those around you every day.

Connect with a friend

Call that friend who lives far away for a long catchup session. While you may feel that you are practicing self-care by doing all the good things by and for yourself, sometimes, it feels like an avoidance technique to shut the world out and not put yourself out there. Do not just text, DM or tweet. Instead, take your phone and call. It will make you and your friend feel great, reminiscing some good old times with whom you share a history of sorts.

Clear the clutter

Tidy up one thing every day. Be it throwing off that chipped mug, tackling what’s underneath your bed, refolding your T-shirt drawer, changing your curtains, making your bed, or deleting unnecessary emails. Decluttering helps in clearing your mind and focusing on things that matter. A cluttered space is a cluttered mind.

Discover something new

While exploring your passion, it is always fun trying out new things.  Let it be something as simple as listening to a new band or podcast, trying a new recipe or taking a new route home. Getting out of your comfort zone and discovering something new makes us more open to change and to different possibilities.

Connect with nature

The benefits of bonding and being in nature are multifold. You do not need to be hiking in an old forest to connect deeply with nature. It can happen in our backyard, garden, or a neighbourhood park. Learn gardening. Spend some time walking around barefoot. Watch the sun come up or go down. Observe the blue sky. Listen to the sounds of nature. Observe the birds. Click some pictures of the flowers. Further, smell the flowers. Take a few minutes every day just to be outside.

Meditation and Yoga breathing

Practicing Yoga breathing or pranayama can help lower stress, increase the quality of sleep, regulate vital bodily processes like heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, and also help with anxiety and emotional balance. 

Remember, no two people are the same and self-care may mean something totally different for you. But incorporate a few of these little self-care things will help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.

What is your favourite selfcare practice?