Improving your health and wellbeing is all about creating a routine that helps you to feel nourished and content. There are plenty of practices which can help you take your self-care to a new level.
1 . Learn about Mindfulness
Mindfulness means having full awareness of the present, including our present thoughts, emotions, environment, and sensations. The concept behind mindfulness is all about observing our experiences in a gentle and nurturing manner. Practicing mindfulness is useful to help you appreciate the little things, take on a positive mindset, and free yourself from negative thought patterns. To get yourself started there are several mindfulness apps you can try including Calm, Headspace, and Simple Habit.
2. Try artistic activities
One study in the Journal Of Public Health suggests that, ‘there is evidence that art-based interventions are effective in reducing adverse physiological and psychological outcomes.’ Practicing artistic activities is an excellent way to express your emotions, give yourself a challenge, and release stress. Any kind of artistic activity will do whether it’s painting, writing poetry, or playing a musical instrument. You don’t have to be super talented to practice art, the process is just as important as the outcome.
3. Positive affirmation journaling
Positive affirmations are useful to rewire your thoughts and positively influence the way that you think. These are basically positive statements that are designed to help you rewrite self-critical beliefs and to establish your goals. For a few positive affirmations to get you started, Life Skills Net suggests the following:
- ‘I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.’
- ‘I believe in, trust and have confidence in myself.’
- ‘I accept what I cannot change.’
- ‘I learn from my mistakes’
It can also be useful to write down positive feelings you have about yourself. For example, what you like about yourself and what your strengths are.
4. Spa experience at home
A day at the spa is sometimes all you need to feel relaxed, but you don’t have to pay spa-prices every time to want to chill out. It’s so easy to create a spa experience at home with the right products and practices. You’ll need beauty products from bath bombs to moisturizers; candles and a dressing gown; essential oils and some relaxing music! Set aside a few hours to give yourself beauty treatments and de-stress. Spa days are also a great time to look out for anything that might need medical attention whether it’s Recognizing Toenail Fungus or the symptoms of eczema.
5. Improve your cooking
Improving your cooking skills can help you to learn about nutrition, live a healthier lifestyle, and look after your body and mind. What we eat has a huge impact on our mental health as well as our physical health. To learn more about the connection between diet and mental health check out books such as:
- Brain Changer: How diet can save your mental health by Professor Felice Jacka: This is an excellent book, bringing you all the latest research about how your diet can impact the health of your brain.
- Nutrition Essential For Mental Health by Leslie Korn: Here you’ll learn all you ever wanted to know about the connection between food and mood!
With the perfect self-care regime, you’ll boost your endorphin levels and get better sleep too!
