22 Self-Care Practices to Employ in 2022 HealthifyMe Blog HealthifyMe Blog - The definitive guide to weight loss, fitness and living a healthier life.
It’s been two years since the earth went into emergency mode. COVID 19 spread like wildfire and soon became a pandemic. We were all quarantined and hidden into the comforts of our homes. Sounds so apocalyptic, right? Though humanity suffered a great loss, we can’t be giving up on our will to pursue passion and attract positivity. This new year kindle motivation to work towards a better future, which starts with self-care.
The more promising picture portrays a different reality. The children were happy because they got an extended vacation, you gained plenty of time to bond with your family etc. As we stand at the end of 2021, pledge to make conscious efforts into improving our physical, mental and emotional health.
We are still adjusting to a new world, and self-care practices have taken precedence over many other things. Self-care is essential as it helps one to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. In the words of Charles Bukowski “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first”. So, this new year, let’s initiate a journey to self-care.
1. Indulge in healthy Eating
We do not mean that you quit your favourites and sacrifice your cravings altogether because you have to get healthy.
However, it is essential to include fruits and vegetables in your diet. Not only do they boost your immune system, but also the whiff of fresh fruits, like that of tangerine and strawberries, prompts your brain to release serotonin and dopamine. These are known to uplift your mood and improve cognition.
A balanced meal is needed to feel energetic and cheerful. Eat at least three big meals and two small meals every day. Your body needs vegetables, fruits, and grains. In addition, you get nourishment from the vitamins and minerals present in these dishes.
2. Build a Support System
A support system can make you feel capable of improvement, whether you find an accountability partner or surround yourself with loved ones. People who help you stay on track with your self-care can motivate you and make the task seem less intimidating.
In addition, rely on people who respect your susceptibility when you share your issue with them. So whether you want to quit smoking or drinking or lose a few extra kilos, create an accountability group, who will remind you of your goals daily.
3. Reinvent the Art of Conversation
Our method of staying in touch with our friends is through sharing memes and snaps on social media. While it is fun, we don’t know how our friends feel. It is vital to know if they are physically and mentally in a good space.
So, take out time to hold conversations with your friends and family. Speak to the young and invest time with the elders in the family. They are vulnerable and sometimes crave affection. Sometimes, it can be incredibly fulfilling to know that you have a blanket of comfort around you and vice versa.
4. Be your First Priority
Set yourself up for success in the coming year with healthy habits, a new environment, a supportive support group, and self-awareness.
Intentionally reflect and celebrate this New Year. Begin the season by giving yourself guilt-free alone time and grace to improve your health and mood.
5. Stay Active
We all like to stay in bed, snuggled in our blankets. However, lack of mobility disrupts our physical and mental health. Walking around relaxes your muscles and improves your concentration. You feel fresh and more energetic.
It sounds like a paradox – “Walk to feel less tired”, but it works because your body releases adrenaline. Take baby steps towards self-care like getting up and walking about every time you receive a call. Buy a pedometer and clock 10000 steps daily. You can also track your progress with any step counting app.
6. Sleep Well
The most important thing we can do to take care of ourselves is getting enough sleep. Sleep helps restore energy, reduces stress, and improves overall well-being. The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep.
Give yourself an extra 20 minutes to fall asleep, for example. We frequently determine the amount of sleep we receive based on when we go to bed. Still, it takes the average individual about 20 minutes to fall asleep.
So if you usually go to bed at 10:30 p.m., try to finish your nighttime routine by 10 p.m., so you have plenty of time to fall asleep. Plus, knowing you have at least 30 minutes to fall asleep relieves the burden of having to do so right now to receive enough rest.
7. Accept Yourself
When people describe themselves, they come up with things like selfishness, not being strong enough, failure, etc. Instead, accept who you are and own it. Your experiences have shaped who you are.
Work on things you think are not good enough about yourself but embrace them. Don’t degrade yourself. You are a unique person, and there is no one like you! Acceptance starts at your end, and the world follows suit.
8. Celebrate Improvement:
As you improve your behaviours and overall quality of life, you should acknowledge your progress and praise yourself. No matter how minor, celebrate your achievements because your efforts are propelling you forward. Another way of paving your way to self-care is by owning your accomplishments can boost your self-esteem and confidence.
Progress requires a good attitude. Affirming self-talk is one approach to motivate yourself and keep your motivation up. Instead of tearing yourself down, try to build yourself up with compliments and reassurance.
9. Work on that Bucket List
At what age did you stop saying “Astronaut” when someone asked you what you want to be when you grow up? I’m sure we’re all still fascinated by the stars, so what better time is there than now to pull out your telescope and map the stars.
Hasn’t it always been the first activity on your bucket list to work on your vocals? Do that! Forget about your age and social obligations for an hour every day and pick up the thing you want to do the most from your bucket list, and do it! You’ll get a sense of achievement and happiness, and you don’t even have to work for it!
10. Overcome Fears
Gather up the courage to do that impulsive and wild thing because it will give you happiness.
You’re scared of that job because you think you’re underqualified? Apply for it anyway. Take risks because what is the worst that can happen? You might get everything you want.
11. Put your phone down
Our phones and electronic gadgets are essential, considering that our lives indirectly depend on them. The people we love, memories, and important meetings are all on our electronic devices. It’s not all rainbows, though.
Constant exposure to screens has a massive negative effect on our eyes and sleep cycle. We bombard ourselves with news and events every minute. You need to give your brain some time to reset. Setting your phone aside for a while every day helps you connect with your environment.
12. Learn to Say No
Sometimes we go to a party because we cannot say no to a relative. Sometimes we have an extra drink or a deep-fried fritter because a loved one has served it to us. Therefore, we believe that by saying yes, we please others. But, end up negating our own feelings.
So this New Year, learn to say no. If you prefer a quiet day, curl up in the corner and read a book. Even if your partner feels disappointed in you not going for a sun-downer, explain your needs to them. Trust us; some ‘Me-Time’ is good for all relationships.
13. Revamp Yourself
We all make grand new year resolutions every year, and some of us even work towards fulfilling them for like a month or two. However, we often get overwhelmed because our goals are set unrealistically high. Pick up one plan and make one step outside your comfort zone. If you don’t know how to cook, take small assignments, like make yourself a cup of tea.
Then try a sandwich on another day and slowly build up. You now have a new necessary skill, and you’ve managed to accomplish something. Start by learning life skills like driving, cooking, swimming if you already don’t and then jump to rather progressive tasks.
14. Prioritize your Mental Health.
The pandemic was terrible for all of us. Being constantly shut inside and not meeting and interacting with people have deeply affected our mental health. Take necessary steps to make sure that you don’t suffer.
Approach a friend or look for a therapist. A lot of people offer free counselling or talking sessions. There shouldn’t be any taboos regarding reaching out.
15. A Bath Goes a Long Way.
A bath feels like a very trivial activity, but it is crucial. It refreshes us and rejuvenates our mood. Good hygiene prevents us from falling into unhealthy patterns and protects us from diseases and viruses. It also improves our mental health.
Shower meditation is a popular method to relax your body and release stress. Keep the water as cold or as hot as you like and stand under the shower, and you don’t even have to move. Feel the water cascading down your body and imagine your stress washing away with it. You’ll feel much better after it.
16. Make Way for Fun
Have a New Year’s resolution to do something fun? Yes, absolutely! Our society places a high stake on being busy and places a low value on indulging in leisure activities. As a result, relentless working only obstructs our mind and hinders creativity .
Although we cannot enjoy a ten-day beach vacation amidst the pandemic, there are other methods to include leisure into your daily routine. Is there a hobby you’ve always wanted to explore but haven’t had the opportunity? Pick one thing to start with and work your way up from there. It’s not as difficult as you think it is!
17. Treat Yourself Better
Kindness goes a long way. Whether to someone else or to yourself, be kind and compassionate. It would help if you had positive words, affection and support.
Telling yourself every day that you will be happy will bring about a drastic change in your thinking and change your overall perspective to life. However, it is a gradual process., like a wise scholar once said, ” Fake it till you make it!” You will make it.
18. Explore More about Yourself
A lot of us can’t be alone. We know our likes and dislikes, but we often ignore our deepest feelings. So invest some time to know yourself better.
Sometimes we stay stuck in a bad relationship or shop mindlessly because we do not know how to spend time sitting idle. Once we are at peace with ourselves, we can identify the negatives holding us back and can be truly fulfilled.
19. Skincare and Grooming
This one is for all my fellow skincare fanatics. This is exactly what strikes in their mind when we say self-care. When you look beautiful, you feel more confident and are comfortable in your skin. Invest in a good organic body scrub and a luxurious body lotion.
Choose your favourite perfumes and buy that gorgeous hair mask you have been eyeing for months. When you feel like you’ve done your best to look and smell good, you automatically feel more confident and comfortable in your skin. Pamper yourself because you deserve the best!
20. Do not forget about parties or romantic dates
While being in a calm and peaceful environment is essential, getting out and going wild is good! You should go out to clubs or have a drink once in a while to satisfy the social being you are! And don’t we all like to get all dolled up and go out on a date?
Experiment with dating websites or go old school and ask that pretty girl from biology class out for a date! It is good to feel like the entire world is high on Euphoria once in a while! Stay safe and take care of yourself!
21. Strive for Independence
You know the feeling you get when you are in control? You have control of yourself and your surrounding, and you don’t need anyone’s help because you can probably do that task yourself.
Strive for that feeling. Learn to become independent. Take control of your finances, learn to drive or start a small business.
22. Most obvious but most important- Exercise
You don’t have to do extreme workout routines like HIIT or hardcore cardio. Instead, you can dance to your favourite songs as a form of exercise.
Strengthening your muscles and increasing your stamina can be achieved by regular physical activity. Exercise helps your cardiovascular system perform more efficiently by delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As your heart and lung health improves, you’ll have more energy to accomplish daily tasks. You can start slowly and then increase your workout intensity every day.
Surely the environment plays a vital role in the development and behaviour of individuals. However, one can only reinforce wellbeing, if one keeps themselves happy. These are only some self-care practices that one can start following as we commence into 2022. So, move ahead and direct your energy towards your own happiness and health.
HealthifyMe constantly is working towards helping you reach the destination of self love. In case you haven’t started, there couldn’t be a better time. So, install the HealthifyMe App today and get going.
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