For such a simple concept, self care is very difficult to practice well. You’d think that everyone would have a good handle on doing what’s best for them, but as humans, we’re prone to self-sabotage and putting others’ needs before our own.
If you’ve been stressed and burned out lately, you’re probably thinking about ways you can start to look after your needs and feel more centred on a daily basis.
This blog has lots of advice on ways that you can kick start your self-care journey and improve your life.
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Think about fitness
Your physical health has a huge impact on your overall well-being, including your mental health.
Starting a workout routine can be one of the best ways to relieve stress and get rid of the stiffness in your muscles and joints. If you’re new to fitness, consider starting off small with some gentle yoga or jogging.
However, having a London personal trainer can make a really big difference to your overall fitness if you’re determined to make exercise a long-term habit. You’ll benefit from expert advice, ongoing support and a personalised exercise plan to help you reach your goals.
Change your mindset around food
Many people’s relationship with food is complicated, but improving your diet and prioritising both your health and enjoyment is a great step in your self-care journey.
If you’ve been eating lots of unhealthy foods lately, it’s time to introduce more vegetables and healthy grains back into your meals. But while you’re doing this, don’t forget that it is ok to treat yourself.
Cutting out all the foods you love like pizza and chocolate is a sure-fire way to land you back exactly where you started – spiralling into unhealthy patterns. Balance is key, so try to teach yourself that all foods are good in moderation.
Practice saying no
One of the biggest reasons we become burnt out is because we’re trying to do too much and say yes to everyone who needs us. If you feel like you’re being stretched too thin and yet another loved one or client needs your help, know that it’s within your right to turn them down.
While it’s great to support those around us, sometimes we need to think about our own well-being before anyone else’s.
This means saying no to social events too. If there are days when you’d rather stay home or go for a walk instead of out for drinks, it’s ok to follow your heart.
Get enough sleep
Not getting enough sleep over long periods of time can leave you feeling irritable and not like yourself.
If your sleep schedule has been all over the place, it might be time to stick to your bedtime. Set your alarm for the morning to that you’re waking up at a good time and slowly build your routine. Buy some new duvet covers and make your sleep time as comfortable as possible.
It will be hard to begin with and you might even feel more tired than you did to start with, but sometimes self-care involves a bit of tough love to really transform your life.
These are some amazing tips for self care! One tip I like to give my patients is to practice breathing exercises. Breathing exercises can provide both mental and physical benefits.