Taking care of yourself is a lot harder than people make it out to be. A lot of the time, many of us forget to do some pretty simple things. Or perhaps, it’s more of a time management thing than it is a memory thing. When you are super busy and distracted by the daily tasks in life, it can be quite difficult to find adequate time to give yourself some self-care. Here are some self care tips for women I think you’ll find helpful for your overall wellness.
Hygiene
You can start out with a minimal task.
Something small that can be achieved in a small amount of time. Brushing your teeth is something everyone should do on a daily basis. Though it can be hard when you get caught up in work or if you are feeling down and depressed. There are many benefits to brushing your teeth and using whitening toothpaste can help maintain your teeth’s cleanliness in a shorter time frame.
Brush your teeth.
Brushing your teeth helps keep bacteria away that would otherwise cause teeth decay and cavities. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and for at least two minutes every time, you brush. It is a small thing you can and should be doing to give yourself a little pick me up. Having a whitening toothpaste in your routine can help remove stains from teeth, help regenerate healthy plaque, and freshen your breath.
Shower regularly.
Another small thing you can do to make yourself feel more maintained is to take a shower. You are probably confused as to why a shower might help. Studies show that showering removes the dead skin and bacteria that are built upon the layers of skin. Showering has been linked to a more improved mental health status. It has been shown to reduce symptoms due to depression and anxiety. It is recommended to only shower every few days or every other day, as showering every day can be excessive and can damage the skin.
Exfoliate your skin.
A simple extra step to your showering routine is exfoliating your skin. Using an exfoliant can help remove any dirt, sweat, and bacteria that is deeply lodged in your pores. The added bonus is how soft your skin is after using an exfoliant. You may be wondering “how often should I exfoliate my body?” Well, that solely depends on your time management and your individual skin type. If you have more sensitive skin, you may only want to exfoliate your body about once or twice a week. There are different types of exfoliators for different skin types like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and combination skin.
Pamper yourself.
Pamper yourself with a manicure, plan a spa day at home, get a massage, or just sit down with a good book. Foam rollers are an excellent way to work out sore muscles. They help to get your body in ideal fitness shape. They are unique in both shape and texture. Look into foam rollers if you live a more active lifestyle, or just want to take up a new hobby. Your body will thank you.
You could look into the microblading process. What is microblading? Microblading is a cosmetic procedure similar to a tattoo. It is more temporary than a real tattoo and is usually used to create fuller brows. The technique in microblading is simple, they use a handheld tool that is covered in tiny needles, they then create small strokes of ink similar to hair strands. Giving the illusion of a more defined or fuller eyebrow look.
If it is that time of the month, you may want to look into period care. Taking care of yourself at this time is essential when dealing with painful cramps and reoccurring pains. Look into some tips for period care for more information.
Eating and Hydration
A vital step in self-care is taking care of your body.
Maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated will keep you feeling your best. Get a daily intake of two and a half cups of vegetables daily. The more veggies, the better. Start by steaming your vegetables if you do not like them raw. Steamed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower are a nice staple to pretty much any meal. As for fruits, it is recommended you get a full two cups on a daily basis. The easiest way to get fruits into your diet is to make a smoothie. Sneak in some veggies into your smoothie, too. Kale and spinach, for example, work well and are high in protein.
Be careful about the fat and oils you use.
Too much of these can cause high cholesterol and can make you gain an unhealthy amount of weight in a very short amount of time. The body requires protein in any form. It needs at least fifty-six grams a day. You can find protein in meats, veggies, and even in shake form if that is what you prefer.
Hydration is what keeps our body going.
The amount of water needed by each person varies somewhat. Try to get in at least 8 glasses, or 64 ounces, a day. Some health experts recommend more. Maintaining hydration improves mood, sleep, and cognitive thinking. Having a regular amount of water intake helps us stay more productive, and keeps our bodies functioning.
Mental Health Matters Too
While physically taking care of your body is a key point in taking care of yourself, you absolutely can not forget about your mind and mental state. If you find that you struggle with anxiety or depression, these are some things that may help ease that state of mind. As humans, it is completely natural that we feel stress, but too much stress can take a huge toll on both physical and mental health.
Anxiety and depression can be incredibly draining to both your mind and body.
YANA is a program that can help. YANA stands for you are not alone. You should not have to suffer from the symptoms of anxiety or depression by yourself. Speaking to someone who knows how to help is the first step in bettering your mental health.
Ask yourself: how often do you take breaks and have alone time?
Giving yourself a break from work or school is important to your self-care as it allows you to stop what is stressing you out. Even just for a moment, if you are able to stop what you are doing and reflect on what your next move is, it can help improve your focus and attention. You deserve a break every now and again, pacing yourself and not overloading yourself will help in the long run.
Another way to reduce stress is to turn off all your screens.
Disconnecting for a day or even a few hours can impact your mood for the better. You will have time to focus on other things around you. Reading a book could help pass the time. Our screens tend to distract us from our well-being. You should have a little bit of time yourself to focus on what’s going on around you.
Indulge in your hobbies more.
Maybe you love to play an instrument, draw, sing, write, dance, or even build things. When you do something you love, it can increase the amount of happiness and fulfillment you feel on a regular basis. Taking time for yourself will boost your mood and allow you that creative freedom we all need.
Any way you look at it, it is important to take care of yourself. Both your mind and body are fragile and you only get one of them in a lifetime. Make sure you maintain it well and love yourself more. Slow down, take a deep breath and do your best to relax. Do your best to take everything at your own pace. You are amazing and it is time you knew it too.
