10 Practical Self-Care Ideas
November 13, 2020
Written by Tanner Hoffarth, Former Marketing Employee
Self-Care isn’t always easy and often can be something many put on the side burner. This list of 10 practical self-care ideas is a great way to get your foot in the door and begin to change course as we head into a busy season of the semester. Each idea listed below requires little time/effort but a lot of discipline. Let’s get started.
Sleep
The first of many, and possibly the most important is sleep. With all of our crazy lifestyles, it seems that we “don’t have time for sleep”. By sleeping we are able to reset our bodies, regain our energy, retain memories better, and reduces stress.
Gut Health
Focusing on your gut is your next task. This can be done in multiple ways, but one of the best ways is staying hydrated and drinking a lot more water than you are right now. Doing this will boost skin health and beauty, flush toxins more quickly, and help maintain body temperature and blood pressure.
Learning
Learning about self-care is just as important as participating in it. With a better understanding of what to do, why you do it, and how to do it will boost the benefits through the roof.
Nature Walk
Taking a nature walk/run has been my number one thing to do during the pandemic and is also a very beneficial idea for self-care. Not only are you exercising, but you are also getting some much-needed vitamin D.
House Plants
Buy some house plants. House plants provide many different benefits from removing odors from the air, to providing oxygen, and adding a pop of color to your space.
Skin Care Routine
Create a skincare routine, wash your face daily, moisturize, and most of all where sunscreen. Trust me, you will still get tan.
Yoga
Practice yoga. Yoga helps to restore not only the body but in a similar fashion the mind. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress promote sleep quality and improves heart health. The Group Ex Plus membership at LaHaye is the perfect way to get started with your yoga routine!
Find Your Hobby or Recover a Lost One
Did you grow up playing piano and haven’t touched one since moving to college? How about reading one book a month? Recovering a lost hobby or finding a new one encourages giving your brain a break from the life circumstances that are stressing you out. This also gives you something fun, with no goal to achieve or deadline, to look forward to throughout your week.
Reduce Your Caffeine Intake
I know what you’re thinking, you’d rather skip right over this point. But, hear me out. Caffeine has a number of benefits but also proves to be just as harmful. Being able to consume caffeine in a realistic manner and at good times of the day can help save you from most of its harmful effects. Scientific studies have shown that caffeine can help prevent many forms of cancer, improve memory, and the most commonly help with alertness and weight loss. However, living caffeine-free or even reducing your intake of caffeine can reduce anxiety, heart rate, and insomnia — leading to better sleep, greater focus, and better heart health.
Journal
The last and one of the most over-looked self-care practices is journaling. Creating a journal improves memory like many of the other self-care ideas. Journaling also serves as a great form of meditation, benefits creative expression, and helps set goals and track progress.
Self-care, in many ways, is another term for self-recognition. Through these exercises and ideas, you continue to learn more about yourself, through your emotions, health, and even down to your motivations and fears. Self-care isn’t selfish. It is taking care of your heart, mind, soul, and body so that you can better benefit those around you.