Self-care can be described as any intentional action taken to improve your health and happiness, whether it be mental or physical. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re inundated with unending responsibilities that can make it hard for us to sit back and actually give our bodies and minds the tender loving care they need. Taking care of ourselves can be more challenging than it sounds, but the benefits that come along with just a few behavior changes can work wonders in your life and the lives of those you love. We’ve compiled easy self-care habits that can make a huge difference in your outlook and health with a little bit of practice.
You’ve heard it before but we will say it again—exercising daily is so important to overall health. The benefits that come along with a regular exercise routine are endless: improved heart health, better sleep, decreased risk of various diseases, decreased stress levels, and of course fitness—aka fitting into your favorite pair of jeans. Joining a gym like Chuze Fitness is inexpensive and sure to get you back in the exercise game. With circuit stations, cardio machines, weight lifting areas, and a strict “no-grunting or being macho” policy, it’s a great place to work off the stresses of the work day, and your body will definitely thank you for it.
You may enjoy getting those Hot Cheetos from the vending machine every afternoon and love running through the drive thru on your lunch break, but maintaining an unhealthy diet of processed and fast foods is doing your body zero favors. Numerous studies have pointed to the connection between food and mood, and making an effort to eat healthier on a daily basis can see your spirits lifted and your body feeling better than it ever has. Instead of heading out to eat, practice the self-care habit of preparing your own meals at the beginning of each week. Knowing exactly what’s going into your body will do you more good than you might think, and your waistline might see the positive effects in just a few weeks.
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Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and seeing as it protects our insides from any unhealthy invaders, it’s only fair that we treat it right. Need more reason to give your skin care regimen a sprucing? Skin is high-ranking when it comes to attraction, and if you’ve got a vibrant, glowing epidermis, you can be certain that more heads will be turning your way. If you deal with acne, you know how much this common skin condition can affect your self-esteem. If store products aren’t working for you, consider a natural-based treatment like BioClarity, an acne medication that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients like benzoyl peroxide that can irritate the skin. And if you believe you need an expert opinion, consider getting a consultation from a dual board certified physician like Dr. Jacono who owns a medical spa and offers a line of natural skin care products.
Getting the right amount of sleep seems to be a pipe dream for many of us these days, but it’s important to make a commitment to improving the shut eye you get every night. Getting better sleep can provide a myriad of benefits, including improved concentration and memory retention, a lowered risk of heart disease, an improved mood, and even aesthetic improvements like the disappearance of under eye circles. To get the best sleep of your life consider a mattress pad from ZenHaven.com and do what you can to turn your bedroom into a restful oasis. That may mean blackout curtains to keep the sun at bay, a noise machine to play the soothing sounds of the ocean, or even a scent machine that puffs out your favorite smells to create a calm atmosphere.
Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but even on the worst of days there’s likely something good that happens in a 24-hour span. Make a commitment to recording the good things, no matter how small, that happened to you during your day, and write the down in a journal. This way, you can start collecting a pile of good things and watch it expand over time. This is a great way to gain a different perspective, even in a dark time, and will help you practice looking for the positives.
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