Darrick Robles Nowadays, self-care is sometimes used as a collective term for things that you can buy: bath products, scented candles and wellness treatments promise a relaxing break that lets you forget the stress of everyday life. In the actual sense, self-care means, above all, taking one’s own well-being seriously alongside all the daily obligations and temptations. That means: listen to your gut feeling and take your time for things that are really good for you.
Priceless: the daily portion of self-care
“It’s something for people who either have too much money or too much time.” Many believe that self-care is a luxury good. Strictly speaking, however, it is a basic human need. The need to take care of yourself. The need to stay mentally and physically healthy. Self-care can be everyday – and worth more than a yoga retreat for the price of a month’s salary. We have collected the best routines that are free and easy to incorporate into everyday life.
say no
Self-care can be your strategy to counter the primal human #FOMO (fear of missing out). Find a healthy balance between challenge and sacrifice : not only when it comes to work, but also on a Friday night. Your girlfriend may want you to accompany her to a spontaneous birthday party. But you say no because you’ve been looking forward to your personal self-care ritual at home all day — whatever that might be. So: Decide to have more #JOMO (joy of missing out) in your life.
mobile phone off
Wake up, lights on, scroll a lap. For many, reaching for the smartphone is the first activity before getting up and the last before falling asleep. This daily dose of social media shapes us more than we think. Facebook and Instagram feed our reward centers in the brain every time we post, like or are liked. At the same time, they draw our attention to the lives of others and cause us to constantly compare ourselves. A healthy self-care practice starts with small changes that break the usual routine . For example, you can replace the morning or evening scrolling with a little meditation and be more with yourself.
To keep moving
Self-care and exercise : do they go together? Under certain conditions yes. If you torture yourself to the gym several times a week to burn calories, then you are more in the direction of self-optimization. But if you can find a form of exercise that makes you happy inside , it’s self-care. For some, getting off the bus two stops early and walking the rest of the commute is a healthy routine. For others it can be a jog at sunrise, the view of trees or water and the pink tones of the sky.
eat well
A healthy diet means, on the one hand, eating a balanced diet. Integrate important nutrients into the diet . Enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables instead of ready meals. So most nutrition tips revolve around what you eat. The other side of the coin, however, is how you eat. Do you devour your quinoa and avocado bowl between meetings at your desk? Or do you let every bite melt in your mouth and then go for a digestive walk afterwards? Eating healthy can be self-care if you consciously take time for your meals.
To be thankful
We all have days when everything just seems to go wrong. And it’s okay not to be optimistic all the time. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to counteract negative thoughts and end the day on a good note. Keeping a gratitude journal can help you deal with stress better and boost your self-confidence. Think of five things that made you happy today and write them down before you go to sleep. Say thank you for the nice conversation with your colleague, for the delicious piece of cake your girlfriend brought you, or for your dog, who always makes you laugh.
Self-care is good, but does not replace therapy
Self-care can help you cope with the challenges of everyday life. That’s why self-care and mental health are often mentioned in the same breath. But the truth is that mental health is determined by many other aspects. In addition, the boundaries between long-lasting sadness and depression , tiredness and burnout can be fluid. If you’ve been feeling listless and depressed for a long time, seek professional help . Your doctor can help you to classify your symptoms correctly and, if necessary, support you in choosing a form of therapy.
