Build wellness and well-being through self-care

Self-care has been a hot topic for several years, and the advice surrounding it often feels prescribed and impersonal. But health and wellness are exactly that, personal. Educating ourselves and gathering ideas and strategies for better health and wellness are a great start, but the real impact comes from implementing the practices into our daily lives.

Self-care practices can help reduce stress and the issues it causes on our bodies and minds for better health and wellness. Try a few of these ideas to help build on your self-care routine. *Pro tip: Commit to regular self-care for maximum results.

• Moving: Moving our bodies is a natural way to release energy, whether it be going for a walk, stretching or doing chair yoga. *Pro tip: Focus on what areas of your body feel good during these movements and the areas you may want to work more on later. Before you know it, you’ll be limber and relaxed.
• Breathing: Breathing exercises can help you become more aware of your body and what you’re feeling. It can also help by slowing your heart rate, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress hormones and calming your nervous system. This mindfulness practice can help bring you back into your body and let go of tension. *Pro tip: Find a quiet space where you can really concentrate on your breathing.
• Bathing: Baths and showers have a myriad of benefits for our physical and mental well-being, some of those are listed here. It can improve mood and help lessen physical tension. Even cold showers can help regulate cortisol levels and improve circulation. Setting aside time to enjoy your preferred temperature of bath or shower can help your mind and body relax.*Pro tip: Add scented bath salts or a shower steamer to boost your mood or calm your mind.
• Cleaning: If our space feels cluttered, it can add to your mind’s to-do list and may begin to overwhelm you. Take a few minutes to tidy up and you’ll feel so much better in your space. *Pro tip: Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once. Maybe begin with the area where you spend the most time and work your way to the dreaded over-stuffed closet.
• Resting: Slowing down and making time to rest can feel uncomfortable, especially if your lifestyle has you always on the go. Being intentional with rest is necessary for navigating stress, whether you take a break from electronic devices, take a nap, go to bed at a decent time, or spend a moment being mindful and present. *Pro tip: If you’re someone who thrives on marking things off your to-do list, add “Rest for 15 minutes” to your list and mark it off once your break is over.
• Enjoying your hobby: This idea may seem obvious, but when we tie productivity or business to a hobby it can shift our focus from enjoying the hobby to viewing the hobby as work. A hobby that allows us to escape from feelings of work allows the brain to relax. *Pro tip: Try practicing mindfulness while you engage in your hobby to bring yourself more into the present moment.
• Finding Community: Building healthy relationships, maintaining those relationships and having a network of support is one of the most important factors for health and wellness. A support system and/or accountability partner can influence how we engage with the world around us. This can come through developing strong communication skills and feeling safe and secure in our relationships. *Pro tip: Look for community activities that support your hobby and you can check two things off your list.

Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is about doing what’s best for your mind and body, and it’s a necessary part of staying physically and mentally healthy. Blocking out time to take care of yourself and refill your cup is a great way to develop the habit of meaningful self-care. With this in mind, let’s practice and work toward doing one thing per week, or multiple times per week if possible, to care for ourselves in a self-compassionate and intentional way.