8 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself This Week
With so much stress in our daily lives, self-care is more important now than ever. That means taking care of your mental and physical health. But with everything you’ve got going on, it’s not always easy to do. In fact, it’s probably at the bottom of the list. And when you do decide to do something for yourself, you might even feel a little guilty. But self-care isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. That means finding time each day to take care of yourself. So I’m hoping to make it easier for you by sharing 8 ways to take care of yourself this week.
8 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself This Week
When I write my goals for the year, I always include goals for self-care. That list includes things that I need to do to take better care of myself. Because I realized that most of the time, the small things have the biggest impact. And when I do something on the list, I feel better about myself. The list below includes some things I do every week to ease my stress and boost my well-being.
1 . Maintaining a schedule
I am so much more productive when I follow a schedule. Setting priorities for the week and following a routine can help you stay focused and take better care of yourself.
2. Giving yourself grace
Whenever I missed a deadline, made a mistake, didn’t hit a goal, or lost motivation, my first instinct was to come down on myself. Now, rather than be my worst critic, I am gentle with myself and remember that tomorrow is another day to try again. A little self-compassion goes a long way.
3. Scheduling think time
I know this one may sound a little weird. But how long have you been putting off something you’ve wanted to do because you just haven’t had time to think about it? Putting some think time on your calendar will allow time to focus on those big projects that have been at the top of your mind but on the bottom of your to-do list.
4. Staying hydrated
I won’t bother listing a bunch of reasons to drink more water because I’m sure you’ve heard them all. But I will say that I drink much more of it since I started infusing it with fruit and herbs. I make a pitcher twice a week and keep my water bottle on my desk to make sure I finish it by the end of the day. To try my recipe, add one sliced orange, one sliced lemon, three sliced strawberries, and a few sprigs of mint to a pitcher, add water and let it sit for at least 2 hours before you enjoy!
5. Moving your body every day
Finding ways to incorporate exercise into your day is key to your overall well-being. You don’t have to join a gym or buy an expensive piece of equipment to make it count. You can do plenty of routines that use your bodyweight or videos online if you need a guided workout. Blogilates is one of my favs because there are tons of videos to choose from that work your total body in as little as ten minutes.
6. Getting enough rest
I’m serious about my rest, so I make sure to create a good sleep environment. That includes…
- Going to bed around the same time every night
- Turning the thermostat down so that the room is cool and comfortable
- Put my phone down at least 30 minutes before bedtime
- Not eating anything after 8:30p to decrease the chances of digestive issues
This post shares some other tips on how to get a better night’s sleep.
7. Being mindful and present in the moment
I’ve always been pretty good at multi-tasking. But that’s not necessarily something to brag about. Apparently, dividing your attention is not the best way to be productive. When you concentrate on one task at a time, you make fewer mistakes and gain a deeper understanding of what you are doing. Paying closer attention to everyday tasks at work and home will help you gain clarity, make better choices, and find joy in the moments in between.
8. Practicing gratitude
Practicing gratitude reminds you to appreciate your life and find the good in every life experience. It also creates more positive emotions and is good for your mind, your body, and your relationships. As you spend more time spreading gratitude and becoming aware of all the things you have to be grateful for, you’ll feel happier, more positive, and more connected to those around you.
I hope this list of 8 ways to take care of yourself this week gives you some inspiration. And if you don’t make it through the list this week, try again next week, and again the week after that. And eventually, these small acts of self-care will become a part of your daily routine.