Three Ways to Practice Self-Care: Mind, Body, & Soul
Making time for yourself may seem like a foreign concept, especially when you’re already feeling overwhelmed. Your life is hectic, often filled with work, family, and social events pulling you in multiple directions all at once. Whether you’re raising a happy, healthy family; striving to get a promotion; or aiming for another goal, the idea of prioritizing yourself is almost unthinkable.
Self-care is centered around prioritizing yourself with activities, habits, and mindsets that help you feel happy, confident, and whole. If you’re taking care of yourself—and making your mental health a priority— you’ll be refreshed and ready to give back to your family, coworkers, and friends.
These three ways to practice self-care can improve your overall well-being through your mind, body, and soul!
Mind
Put your mind at ease and focus on what matters most by implementing these simple ways to practice self-care in your everyday life.
1. Unplug
With so much of your time spent working and scrolling online, there’s a greater pressure than ever before to always look like you’re living your best life. This constant pressure can make you feel anxious, jealous, and even lonely.
Plan a social media detox and stop comparing yourself to everyone on your feed. (Remember: we tend to only post the positives and avoid sharing the negatives.) Take a break and reconnect with what’s happening around you by turning off your phone and computer.
2. Learn
Our brains are constantly striving to learn and absorb new information. But this doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to learn about subjects that bore you! Instead, look for new information that sparks joy.
Whether that’s history, new technological advances, how to get active with your kids, or ways to practice self-care, there are plenty of books, podcasts, blogs, and magazines that can give you the content you’ve been looking for. Push your brain to its greatest potential!
3. Sleep
Getting the proper amount of sleep—seven to nine hours for the average adult—lets your mind and body recharge, rejuvenate, and reset for the coming day. Skipping out on sleep can do more damage than just leaving you tired and foggy. Lack of rest can also impact you both emotionally and physically.
Avoid unneeded anxiety, depression, stress, and that annoying groggy feeling by making your room the ideal sleep space. Remove any sources of blue light—like TVs, tablets, computers, or cell phones—and add some blackout curtains to make your room dark and REM sleep-ready.
4. Write
Find respite from your day’s stresses by releasing what’s on your mind. Not sure how to start? Open your notebook to a blank page and start by documenting any thoughts that wander through your mind.
Journaling allows your brain to process your thoughts while giving your emotions a positive outlet. Your writing can be more than just an emotional release, too! Make a list of achievements and goals you’ve accomplished or hope to achieve this year, and go back periodically to track your progress.
5. Declutter
Getting organized and decluttering your home or office is one of the most effective ways to help you determine what is (and isn’t) bringing joy into your life. You don’t have to completely renovate your home or remodel your office, either! Small changes can make a huge difference.
Start with one small area (like your work bag) and work your way to larger messes (maybe that closet you’ve been avoiding?). As you declutter and keep what is helping you move toward your goals, you’ll be better equipped to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Body
Get your body moving and feeling great by adding a few of these self-care practices into your weekly schedule.
1. Exercise
A quick, heart-pumping workout is the simplest, most effective way to get your energy up and endorphins flowing! But doing the same exercise day after day can get old fast and make your workout a lot less fun.
Try incorporating different types of exercises like walking, dancing, swimming, going to a group fitness class, or joining an online workout. Find a workout that keeps you motivated and looking forward to exercising. There is no reason to go through the motions of exercises you feel like you “have to do” when other workouts keep you focused and having fun!
2. Stretch
Tight joints and sore muscles aren’t just a result of hours spent at the gym. With most of today’s jobs centered around sitting behind a desk for 8 hours each day, your body is subjected to long periods of little to no movement, letting your muscles tighten and causing increased strain.
Get your blood flowing and your body loose with a quick stretch in your chair, join a lunchtime fitness class, or attend a yoga class after work to get all the kinks out.
3. Hydrate
You’ve heard it before: hydration, hydration, hydration! Your body is about 60% water, and you need to consistently drink more to keep it running properly. The average American should drink around half a gallon of water each day. That’s eight cups each hour!
To help you remember, keep the 8x8 rule in mind (eight 8-ounce glasses). If you’re not getting enough water, consider carrying around a water bottle to remind yourself to keep drinking throughout the day.
4. Dance
Regardless of whether you’re mad, stressed, depressed, or just looking for a fun way to get moving, dancing your heart out to your favorite song can transform any bad mood into a happy one! A solo dance session or an energetic group dance can easily get your endorphins pumping!
Turn your dance party into a fun workout by pumping up the music or jumping into a group class—like Zumba.
5. Eat
Food is more than just a delicious way to get the calories you need; it’s the fuel your body uses to keep you moving and healthy. When you’re choosing how to fuel your body, keep in mind all the different nutrients your body needs to run efficiently.
Meals from fast food places or quick meals just aren’t designed to give you the right kinds of calories and nutrients for your body. Home-cooked meals are a tasty and effective way to make sure you're eating well-proportioned food with just the right amount of calories and nutrients.
Soul
Recenter and refocus by fitting a few of these soul-centric ways to practice self-care into your daily life.
1. Meditate
The hustle and bustle of your day can distract you from what really matters to you. Tune out all of life’s noise by opening your mind and letting your thoughts flow through you as they come.
Take a minute to be conscious of your breathing, thoughts, and blessings. Guided meditation or a daily devotional can help you recenter on even your busiest days and remind you to appreciate the blessings given to you.
2. Routine
Starting your morning with a positive and energized mindset can set your day up for success! Think of ways that pump up your mood and prepare you for the day to come. Whether that’s a quick workout at home, a tall cup of joe, or a few moments of peaceful prayer, implement little things into your routine that will begin your day on a positive note.
How you wrap up your day can be just as important as how you begin it. Detox your mind with relaxing tasks like drinking a cup of chamomile tea, unwinding with a yoga class, or listening to peaceful meditations.
3. Relax
Carve out space in your busy, packed schedule for a little bit of “me” time each week. Your “me” time doesn’t have to be an entire #SelfCareSunday routine that takes hours. It could be as simple as reading your favorite book, getting your workout in, or soaking in the suds for a calming bath.
Add little things throughout your week that give you that little bit of a pick-me-up and show yourself some self-care. These moments aren’t selfish; they’re meant to remind you to take time for yourself!
4. Decline
Saying “no” may seem difficult; however, when it comes to your self-care, a “no” can help you avoid unnecessary stress. If you always say “yes” when asked to do something by a loved one or coworker, it can easily lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. It’s a difficult lesson to learn, but it can leave you feeling empowered and give you more time for the activities you love.
Adding “no” to your vocabulary doesn’t mean you’re letting other people down. Instead, you’re prioritizing what is truly important and making sure you have the time to dedicate your attention and efforts to those tasks.
5. Join
Break out of your box and become a member of a community. By doing this, you’re not only expanding your friendships and opportunities but also bettering yourself by assisting those around you.
Find a group that holds the same values as you do. Whether you’re a competitive spirit, you love to run, or you’re looking for a community your whole family can enjoy, there is a place that’s perfect for you!
Self-care doesn’t have to be a burden! Try these ways to practice self-care to transform your mind, body, and soul. Adding even a bit of self-love to your life can remind you of what’s important—like your overall health. With a little practice, these tasks can become a natural part of your daily routine.
