7 Things To Do At Home For The Ultimate Self Care Day
Physical health is extremely important. We all know that. What many people don’t take into consideration is mental, emotional, and social health. Those are equally, if not more, important. This is especially true when you’re under stress. Many of us tend to forget to prioritize our mental health when it comes to busy periods of time in our lives. At the end of the day, to really maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to take proper care of yourself – mental health and all. At a loss for what to do? Here are some excellent ways to care for yourself when you have a day or even an afternoon off (or on the weekend, of course).
Clean Up Clutter
Believe it or not, cleaning is great for improving your mental health. Your environment matters, so when it’s clean and inviting, you’ll feel better. Studies have shown that cluttered environments are linked to stress and lower-self control (around food for instance) which can put a damper on your physical health as well. Use this trick: take a photo of a messy area you want to take care of and then devote 20 minutes to cleaning it. When the timer goes off, pause for 10 minutes. Timing cleaning sessions makes the task less overwhelming. Then, you’ll be able to look at the photo to compare the before and after. It’ll give you a sense of accomplishment.
Finish Off Showers Cold
After you shower as usual with warm or hot water, switch to cold water for 30 seconds. You’ll get a burst of energy as your body tries conserving heat and kicks your circulation into high gear. One study found that doing this releases endorphines, leading to a better mood.
Refill Your Water Bottle Frequently
This may be a simple habit, but it’s one that will ensure you’re drinking enough water. In order to properly function, you need to provide your body with fluids – mainly water. Dehydration can lead to all kinds of unpleasant side effects like dizziness, confusion, and low blood pressure. Every hour, make sure you have your water bottle by your side and that it’s full enough. That is to say, you’re drinking from it and refilling it regularly.
Drink Tea In The Morning
One great habit to have is drinking a cup of tea in the morning. Not only does it support a healthy heart, drinking green tea daily can help lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Additionally, studies have shown that those who drink black tea have a lower risk of developing heart disease.
Take A Walk
Just because you have a day off doesn’t mean you have to stay in the house all day. Take a 15-minute midday walk to boost your concentration, your mood, and your energy. Exercising can help regulate blood flow to the parts of the brain that are associated with memory, cognition, and language/speech processing.
Paint Your Nails
Don’t worry if you don’t have time to go get your nails done. Bring the salon home and do your own nails. Stock up on your favorite colors and have fun with it!
Create A Positive List
Every night, write down anything that made you even the slightest bit happy during the day. It can be small things like the sky being super blue or you having a delicious latte. Doing so will help you recognize the good in your life, allowing yourself to focus on that rather than the negative. Over time, it can really transform your perspective.