Why Making Time For Basic Self-Care Should Be A Non-Negotiable In Everyone’s Life
2017 was all about self-love. Every now and then, you would see famous influencers preaching about this topic on their social media platforms. But how many of their followers actually understand the concept of self-love? Many people think self-love is solely about being confident and loving your body. Although there is truth in both ideas, it does not entirely define what self-love really is. Nor do these influencers really explain how to love yourself. You can’t just tell people to “be confident and love your body” and expect them to magically do just that.
Self-care, on the other hand, is a completely different concept that may not be as common, but it is more achievable in a shorter period of time. The only problem is, not a lot of people realize that the first step in achieving self-love is by taking care of yourself – your mind and body. Self-care is about giving yourself a break from the chaos that we call life by doing little things that make you happy. Doing these three methods will immensely improve your life and perspective. It will allow you to be more accepting and appreciative of yourself, which ultimately leads to self-love.
Always make time to unwind after a long day
We all have obligations and things to do after work or school. But you should make it your priority to give yourself a break after a long day. Otherwise, you will burn yourself out, be unproductive and unfulfilled for the next coming days, weeks, months, or even years. “But I don’t have time” is NOT an excuse. You have to make time for relaxation just like how you make time to eat, bathe, sleep, do assignments, etc. Relaxing after a long day will help you feel refreshed and ready for the following day.
Read books
Investing in your mind is just as important as exercising to be healthy. Reading books will help you develop an open-mind, allowing you to be more empathetic. It is a great way to relax and get your mind off things that are stressing you out. Fiction books are good for expanding your imagination. Non-fiction books are great if you are seeking inspiration and motivation.
Meditate or do physical activities
Incorporating meditation or physical activities in your daily routine will improve your life slowly, but surely. These are some of the methods people use to clear their minds and silence the unnecessary chatter in their heads. Meditation and exercise will make you alert and more productive throughout the rest of your day. For all of the lazy people refusing to exercising, at least make time to meditate. It requires no strenuous activity but it is as effective as exercising in terms of clearing the mind. If you don’t know how to meditate, there are videos, mobile applications and guides that you can use to get you started.
Self-care is the greatest thing you could ever do for yourself because it will enable you to live for yourself in the midst of the chaos. When was the last time you felt stress free? A lot of you will probably say “never”. We are all so preoccupied with school and jobs that sometimes we forget to live. Granted, there are certain circumstances that prohibits people from doing what they love doing. But there are other ways to live a little in the comforts of your own home. Nourish your soul and mind using these methods because you only have one life.