Self Care and Being the Best Version of You

Photo by Faye Cornish on Unsplash.

You cannot be the best version of yourself if you aren’t taking care of yourself. It is impossible to pour from an empty cup, and yet many of us are still trying. There are some small and simple tweaks you can make to your life each day that can top up your love stores, ready for the next time you need them.

Get a Massage

If your muscles are tense and in knots, you may be experiencing pain or discomfort and may not even realize how this is affecting your overall wellness. Instead of letting them remain that way, consider getting a massage to help release tension. A massage doesn’t just feel great while it is happening. The improved blood flow helps reduce anxiety and can lower your stress levels and blood pressure. 

Eat Nourishing Food

Are you an emotional eater? When we are having a stressful day, it can be easy to grab a convenient snack regardless of hunger levels. Sometimes this leads to feelings of guilt or an unhealthy habit of coping with food. Consider snacking on fruits and veggies, like a handful of berries or carrot sticks. Other great options would be peanut butter on crackers, a handful of nuts, or some Greek yogurt. Remind yourself that you don’t have to be perfect when it comes to food.

Plant Something

Helping things grow is excellent for helping yourself to grow too. If you don’t want to grow something from seed, then choose a young plant to take care of. Succulents and cactus are perfect for people who need something hardy. The green color of plants is also great for us on a mental level. Green reduces blood pressure and introduces a sense of calm and productivity. 

Be Active

Introduce some extra activity into your life. You can go for something calming and zen like yoga, or increase your intensity with weightlifting or a cardio routine. The more you do, the more endorphins you’ll be filled with too. Healthandfitnessvitality.com has a great tip for those wanting to get more active. 

Meditate

Meditation is a great way to slow down and breathe. Becoming mindful of your breath can help you get your body out of ‘flight or fight’ mode and into a more calm state. Meditation is something you can take at your own pace, and learn slowly with an app like Calm or Headspace. If you don’t like the idea of guided meditation, then simply set your phone for a 5-minute timer and sit quietly while noticing your breath. 

Get Outside

The green of a tiny plant in your home does wonders, so imagine what a whole forest could do. At least once a week, challenge yourself to get outside to the greenest place you can go for a walk. If you can go more often, that’s wonderful, too. Boost your mood and reduce stress by spending some time in nature — you deserve it! Being outdoors offers a boost for mental, emotional, and physical health. 

What other self care practices do you enjoy?