As we rush around to do the things we have to do, we might forget to take care of ourselves. Most people may think that bubble baths, cooping up in their blankets, and splurging on expensive things are self-care. While there might be some truth to it, those are not enough for a wholesome self-care practice. Self-care should be done regularly to consistently uphold health and wellness. Here are some practices that should be part of your routine:
Complete your daily chores.
You might find cleaning up to be a chore, but being surrounded by mess and clutter can foster negative feelings. Clean your environment as how you want to be cleansed yourself. While you are doing the dishes, doing the laundry or just tidying up your home, you might even find the process meditative.
Engage in physical activity.
It does not have to be a heavy exercise. You can relieve stress just by moving and doing physical activity that would make you sweat. If you do this by doing something you enjoy, it would feel more like recreation than a task, and you will be more likely to do it regularly.
Keep a journal.
This helps a lot especially if you enjoy writing. Writing in a journal about your day allows you to look back on the things that have happened and, as you do, you might be able to see in hindsight some things you could have missed. Journaling is a great practice to sort out your thoughts and emotions. With regular practice, you can improve your writing skills too.
Practice creativity.
Art can be therapeutic and it can be in anything we create. Whether you cook a meal for yourself, write a short prose or sketch something, creating something could give you a sense of accomplishment and mindfulness. Practicing your creativity is also a way of indulging your inner child.
Cleanse your body.
Practicing personal hygiene is crucial to self-care. Some daily practices are brushing your teeth, grooming, showering, and doing your skin care routine if you have one. Other personal hygiene routines you can do occasionally can be enjoying a bath, going to the spa or even visiting a waxing salon. Although you might want to check if the products used for these are free of toxins and harmful ingredients.
Express your gratitude.
Jot down the things you are grateful for. You can do this at the start or end of each day, or whenever something comes up that makes you feel thankful. Through this, you can keep track of the things that you have done and the things that you feel fortunate to have. Be sure to note everything you are grateful for, whether big or small.
Schedule your self-care routines so you can do them regularly. Having the schedule where you can easily see it would make it less likely for you to forget or skip anything. However, do not beat yourself up and stop following through in case you forget or skip once or twice. You must not hold back from changing things up a bit once they feel tedious too. After all, self-care should be something you enjoy doing.
