With all the pressures of everyday life – from work to home, and family to finances, self-care has become a vital part of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. A complete self-care plan should primarily consist of three components: physical care, emotional care, and mental balance. As the demand for our attention increases, self-care is often the first practice that falls off our to-do list. Here are a few simple ways in which you can maintain your self-care regimen and that won’t take up much of your time. So, give up the thinking that self-care is selfish and do it for your health, sanity, and vitality. Nurture yourself and say YES to a better way of life!

 

One: Practice Meditating in the Shower

Turning your morning shower time into self-care time can be a great way to set the tone for your day. Use this time, not to think about the meetings you have later and the long to-do list you have, but to slow down and start the day with a fresh and positive focus. This will make you feel all the more refreshed and rejuvenated for the day.

While you wash your hair and body under the flow of water, imagine that you are washing away all the negativity and stress along with it. Close your eyes, feel the water as it hits your body, and visualize the stress releasing and washing away. Massage your scalp, let your mind be still and relax. Watch the water go down the drain and believe that those are your problems and negativity.

 

Two: Use a Natural and Refreshing Body Wash

Choose environment-friendly, organic products that make you feel good and are good for the planet. Organic products have a beautiful scent and have a way of calming one down. Tip: Choosing a body product containing lavender essential oils are extra calming for the body.

Experiment and find products that you love to use, it will make each time you bathe like your favorite spa experience. You can buy body oil, body wash, shampoo, various other skin care products that are naturally produced. This is definitely a feel-good initiative that you can make way for and fit into your daily regimen.

 

Three: Eat a Pleasant and Healthy Breakfast

Start your day with a beautiful and nourishing meal that fills you up will fuel you as you head into your busy day. Your body and mind will appreciate the kickstart and the moment of presence. Eating a nutritious breakfast will make you mentally active for the day and give you the physical capability to work and not feel tired.

You can choose to experiment with your breakfast. From eggs to almond milk, oats and berries. The choice is yours. When you eat your breakfast make sure you get some time on your own. As you eat, try to eat in silence and distraction-free, yes that means closing Instagram and not mindlessly scrolling, barely noticing your food. Make this a part of your daily ritual. This is your time and you aren’t going to share it with anybody. A little me-time is a must if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Four: Practice Slow and Steady Breathing

When stress gets out of hand or difficult to handle, invite yourself to come back to your breath. Walk yourself through these easy steps:

• You can remain sitting right where you are or sneak into a place that suits you best.
• Now, calm down and try to think of something that makes you happy.
• Breathe in, count to four.
• Breathe out, count back to one.
• Repeat four to five times.
• Remain in the position that you are, close your eyes for two minutes.
• This will make you feel a lot better and calm you down instantly. Doing this whenever you feel pressure or uneasy will help you relax.

 

Five: Give Yourself Time – Don’t Be Harsh on Yourself

It happens often that once you get back from work you start cooking immediately or get busy working with household chores. Allow yourself to pause, to slow down and take a minute before you transition to home time. Chores can wait and so can dinner.

After you walk in the door from your workday, set aside 10 or 15 minutes to relax. Sit, breathe, read a few pages of your favorite book, or do some light stretching before you begin what you need to do at home.

 

Six: Write in your Journal

Grab your notebook and set aside a few minutes a day and let yourself free write. Not sure what to write? Start asking questions – start with your day: What is my intention today, how do I feel about x, what does my dream day look like. Journaling can help you process emotions and get to the nugget of something you have a hard time expressing in words. It can also help uncover passions and desires that reside in the depths of our heart.

 

YOU are the most important person in your life so making time to move your body and nurture your emotional and mental well being should be non-negotiable. You can’t help others until you look after yourself. A healthy mind and body will keep you at peace unleash your truest potential through self-care and self-nourishment.