 Being in nature is great exercise as well as a mood booster and stress reducer. Prioritizing yourself can be tough when it feels like your days are already jam-packed with to-dos. I'm sharing several tips for self-care that are easy to integrate into everyday life and don't all require a heavy commitment. Implement these ideas on their own or use them as a guide for creating your 30-day self-care challenge.  Have a Dedicated Self Care DaySetting up standard appointments keeps you on track and planning other activities around your needs instead of the other way around. It may be easier to take short chunks of time for yourself rather than a full day. Whichever one works for you, planning ahead will get you taken care of. The next time you are at an appointment, book your next one if possible, so you don't forget or get pushed back because their calendar fills up quickly. The best services for getting your appointments in the books are massages, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and reservations at your favorite restaurant. Clean Out Your Closet or Storage SpaceWe all have a space that seems to collect clutter and bother us in the back of our minds. Set aside time to clean and organize it for a sense of accomplishment and a weight lifted off your shoulders. This task is perfect for heading into the holiday season as it makes room for the new and reduces stress with one less thing on the checklist. Subscribe to a Floral DeliveryReceiving flowers every month through a club subscription not only brings excitement, but it'll also help reduce stress and anxiety. Start Something NewGet excited and something to look forward to with a project or hobby. Start gardening, listen to a new podcast, experiment with different recipes, learn a language, join a fitness class, or read a book outside your typical genres. Create a Fitness GoalIs there a fitness program you've wanted to try and haven't, or do you not know where to start? Think about the areas you're wanting to improve and research the best types of exercises that target them. If you're still finding it hard to make this happen, start with committing time to walk each day. Take a quick lap around the building at work during lunch or go for an after-dinner stroll with your loved one and get some unplugged quality time while you exercise. Quit a Bad HabitNow is the perfect time to take action and break that habit you've been thinking about stopping, such as smoking, eating fast food every day, and watching too much tv. Try setting other goals that support quitting these habits, such as trying new recipes, reading more, and getting active with a new fitness routine. Take More Bubble BathsUnwind and relax your mind from a long day with an aromatherapy bubble bath. If it's not easy to make time for these, aim for two nights a week with flexibility on the days based on your schedule. Dedicate Time to ReadReading keeps your mind active and gives you a sense of connectedness and relaxation. This article covers the benefits and differences between reading 20 and 30 minutes a week. Be Sure to HydrateA time-stamped bottle can act as a friendly reminder to drink throughout the day. Another way to get motivated to drink more water is to stop buying soda for the house and replace it with sparkling flavored water. Decrease the Calories You DrinkThis one goes hand in hand with staying hydrated. Drink more water and opt for zero-calorie sodas if you can't go cold turkey. If you're like me and drink coffee with your creamer, lower-calorie and sugar-free options make all the difference. Knock a Major Project Off Your To-Do ListPick something you've been meaning to complete, get everything you need, and pick a date to get it done Make Date Nights HappenIt doesn't have to be a cookie-cutter time, place, and activity, but try to plan one each week. Some fun ideas are having brunch at a new restaurant, taking a cooking or pottery class together, a movie marathon night at home, and going for a bike ride around the neighborhood. For more inspiration, check out my post, Date Night at Home Ideas. Send a Handwritten CardSetting aside 30 minutes a week to show appreciation with handwritten notecards keeps you connected with others, your sense of self, and best of all, it spreads joy. This could be a thank you note or a way to reach out to someone you haven't stayed in touch with, but their relationship is meaningful to you. Take a Walk OutdoorsWhile gyms are convenient for exercise, getting outside for a long walk can be good for your health as well. We're not all lucky enough to have a mountain nearby, but a visit to the park can be a lovely outing. Make it fun with a planned picnic. Get More SleepSleep is one of the most important aspects of self-care, and according to sleephealth.org, most Americans are sleep-deprived due to their lifestyle. Make an effort to start your bedtime routine 30 minutes earlier each night. Return to Your Favorite Past TimeThink about something you used to enjoy but haven't done in a long time and try to start it up again. Try Healthier RecipesList out the ingredients and calories for your go-to weekly dinners and then look for ways to improve them. If you can get these calories down with healthier substitutes, you can make the transition with little effort. Some simple and impactful changes are low to zero-calorie dressings and sauces, reduced-fat cheese, opting for ground turkey, and finding low-carb bread and tortillas. An easy and low-calorie snack replacement I enjoy is greek yogurt and fruit. As someone not big into the taste of plain greek yogurt, I've found it's all about trying different brands and flavors. Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt Strawberry Cheesecake or Vanilla paired with strawberries are my favorite at the moment. Schedule Your Annual Wellness VisitYou don't have to wait until something's wrong to get a check-up. It's good to go to the doctor and make sure everything's running smoothly and you're in the best health possible. Replace a Pantry ItemPick an ingredient you often use and see if you can substitute it with a low-calorie version. A few products to look at are jam preserves, syrup, salad dressings, and sauces. Start a Wellness JournalKeeping track of your eating habits and fitness activities in a journal provides a visual aid of your progress to stick to your goals. Improve Your PostureThere are several health benefits to having a good posture. Here are some exercises and tips for being more mindful of your posture throughout the day. Have a CuppaDrinking tea has many health benefits, and there's an array of flavors for everyone's taste buds. I enjoy black teas from Brambles, a tearoom I stumbled upon in Naples, Florida. We make a pot of tea at least once a week to bring a bit of joy to our afternoons. Shop This PostI hope you found this post inspiring and take away a few new activities for self-care. Be sure to share what works best for you in the comments below. Until next time, Katherine Affiliate links may have been used in this post. Related Posts
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
