You just made supper for your family, you helped your kids with their homework, you stayed late at work to finish that report, you baked some goodies for your friends, and/or you drove your mom to her appointment. Now it’s time for you.

Self-care routines can reduce stress, decrease the chance of a physical or emotional problem, make you feel happy, and increase your productivity.  So why haven’t you been doing this already!? “I don’t have time” you say. I say that you are worth making time for.

So here are 4 opportunities for you to indulge in yourself, even if it’s just for a moment.

1. Use your commute as a way to hunt for beautiful things

On your way to and/or from work, pay attention to your surroundings and take note of 3 beautiful things along your way. Maybe the snow looks serene hanging off the branches of the pine tree, perhaps the sky is showing beautiful shades of pink and purple, or maybe there was a very attractive man walking on the sidewalk. Hunting for beautiful things boosts your brain into a positive mindset, helping to promote relaxation and calmness and overall wellness.

2. Don’t get dragged down by other people’s complaints

Complaining leads to low mood and negative feelings and decreases motivation, optimism, and life satisfaction[1]. You may find that by not going along with your co-workers complaint that they may even complain less. Accept that things may not always go your way, and go back to focusing on the positive things in your life. You may even want to consider editing your social media for things that impact you in a negative fashion.

3. Pay more attention to the small things

Start paying closer attention to the routines that you do on autopilot. Focus on how it feels to wash your face or brush your hair.  Drink your coffee and enjoy the rich flavor. Eat your meal without technology around. This is an example of being mindful.  Mindfulness decreases stress, reduces anxiety, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, enhances one’s ability to deal with high-pressure situations, and overall, improves general health [2].

4. Make a self care kit

Fill it with nail polish, snacks, lotions, books, inspirational quotes, short descriptions of your accomplishments and things that you like about yourself, Epsom salts, a journal to keep track of what you’re grateful for, essential oils, silly putty, tea, and colouring books. Take an hour or so (at least every week) to sit down and enjoy the objects in your self care package.

In this fast-paced world, implementing self-care rituals can help to prevent burnout and chronic disease. Incorporating one or a few of the above suggestions will help to keep you calm and to assist you with breathing a little easier as you continue to make a positive impact on your aspirations and the lives of those around you.

References:

[1]       B. WOJCISZKE, The Negative Social World: The Polish Culture of Complaining, Int. J. Sociol. 34 (2004) 38–59. doi:10.1080/00207659.2004.11043140.[2]       The 23 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness for Body and Brain (+ PDFs), (2017). https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/benefits-of-mindfulness/ (accessed January 24, 2018).