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10 Simple Personal Self Care Tips

By Yvonne Ejiofor
25 September 2017   |   7:00 pm
Sometimes with busy work schedules we can let life begin to take control of us rather than taking control of our lives. But you can take back the reign of your lives by following some personal self care tips.  It is important to sometimes take time to just be in the present moment inhale ,…

Sometimes with busy work schedules we can let life begin to take control of us rather than taking control of our lives.

But you can take back the reign of your lives by following some personal self care tips.  It is important to sometimes take time to just be in the present moment inhale , exhale and hit the refresh button. What’s more? Self care is care provided “for you, by you”.

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen

1.Cleanse your space
Have a mini declutter session. Decluttering means examining your surroundings, going through all of your possessions, deciding what’s important to you, and discarding the rest. It is letting go of the things that no longer serve a purpose in your life so that you can make room for what’s most important to you.

2.Listen to music
You could start by making a playlist of your favourite songs at the moment. The positive feeling that is evoked by music could be very powerful. Music can make you feel more hopeful, powerful, and in control of your life. Listening to sad music has its benefits too. If you are going through a tough time, listening to sad music is cathartic. It can help you get in touch with your emotions to help you heal.

3. Get enough sleep
The recommended amount of sleep for an adult is eight to ten hours daily in order to function optimally. Getting enough sleep helps you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others.

4. Meditate
Meditation helps in relieving stress and thus improves the quality of sleep. Less stress means more happiness. You will live a happier and healthier life with meditation.  It is believed that meditation improves the immune system and thereby helps in controlling blood pressure and lowering blood cholesterol.

It is believed that meditation improves the immune system and thereby helps in controlling blood pressure and lowering blood cholesterol.

Meditation

5. Dance
Move your body. Dancing is an outlet for emotional expression, exercise, and creativity that benefits youth during stressful situations by channelling their energy positively and helping them bond with peers.

Dance was also found to increase life satisfaction, according to a 2008 study in the American Journal of Health Education.

6. Eat Clean
A healthy diet is a big part of any successful self-care plan. Nutrition has been linked with emotional, physical, and cognitive health.  Eating a healthy diet gives your brain and your body the vitamins and minerals needed to stay well. Small and frequent meals can help prevent you from getting too hungry, which can lead to overeating.

Ideally, your daily menu should include a “rainbow” of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting a balanced mix of nutrients.  You try a new healthy recipe, too.

Fruit Salad

7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water flushes out toxins and bacteria from your system. So preventing dehydration improves the appearance of skin giving a healthier and more youthful look. Hydrating your body increases its power to work to its full capacity. Not only will you avoid feeling tired, but you’ll never have an excuse to be lazy again.

8. Practice gratitude 
Gratitude is associated with optimism and has been determined that grateful people are happier, receive more social support, are less stressed, and are less depressed.  Just taking a moment to be grateful for all you have can create a major shift in how you feel.

A recent research indicates that optimists and pessimists approach problems differently, and their ability to cope successfully with adversity differs as a result.

9. Exercise
Aim to exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week for maximum psychological benefits. Choosing a type of exercise you really want to do will help you incorporate it into your lifestyle. It could be brisk walking, jogging, cycling, aerobic dancing, swimming, stair climbing. all these qualify as vigorous and restorative exercises if done properly.

10. Laugh out Loud
Laughing instantly reduces the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and dopamine, and increases the production of serotonin and endorphins which reduce effects of stress. Laughter acts as a distraction to things that may cause anger or anxiety elevating any stress.

Photo:Peathegee Inc / Getty

 

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