How to prioritise your self-care

During the Covid-19 pandemic, google searches for “self-care” and “self-care routine” soared exponentially as more people started to look for ways they could ensure they were dedicating sufficient time to their own health and wellbeing. If you’re also looking for tips on ways to prioritise your self-care, keep reading.

What is self-care?

While the concept of self-care is a relatively new phenomenon, it’s important to clear up the big misconception that self-care is synonymous with self-indulgence: because it’s totally different. Self-care is the practice of taking care of your own mental and physical health to ensure that you can live your best life for yourself and those around you. While self-care can look different to everyone, it boils down to making sure you’re taking care of your emotional, physical, and mental well-being.

Why is self-care important?

Put simply, self-care is essential for living a balanced healthy, and happy lifestyle. And there are many benefits to self-care, for example:

• Self-care can improve your physical health
• Self-care can help boost your self-esteem
• Self-care can significantly reduce stress and anxiety
• Self-care can boost your mental health

Four ways to prioritise your self-care

Below are four ways to put yourself first – and your self-care front and centre.

1.Take time for yourself

Life can be hectic sometimes, so it can feel impossible to take just 15 minutes a day to focus on how you’re really feeling. However, just taking a short time out of your day can help you properly look inward and get to grips with what’s really going on inside your head.

2.Banish guilt

Banishing guilt can help you quickly reduce any stress you might be feeling in your day-to-day life; whether it’s setting boundaries with loved ones, treating yourself every once in a while, like saving to get yourself a pair of diamond earrings, or even turning down extra work, it’s important to reduce the guilt you feel towards putting yourself first. Never forget that even minor joys like relaxing at home in your favorite personalized t-shirt can improve your general wellbeing.

3.Focus on your physical health

Many don’t realise that taking care of your physical health is the first step in also improving your mental health. That’s why focusing on eating a nutritionally balanced diet or working out a few times a week can quickly help you see results in your mood, as well. 

4.Sleep more

While the benefits of a good night’s sleep aren’t a secret, it’s still easy to underestimate how getting 7 to 8 hours of good-quality sleep every night can drastically improve your intellectual function, alertness, and mood. In other words, getting a fantastic night’s kip can truly send your happiness skyrocketing. 

Self-care is what allows you to live your life smoothly and effectively, so try prioritising looking after yourself with the above tips.