Self-Care Habits You Can Start Practicing Today
Self-care is defined as any activity to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. There’s a reason why this idea is now in the forefront of health communities. A recent survey, conducted by Stella Rising, shows that 92 of Americans want better control of their health especially with rising costs of healthcare and 53 percent believe that self-care is important for their well-being.
Taking care of yourself can have many benefits that include preventing illness, proper management of existing medical conditions, and making informed decisions about your health. Here are simple self-care habits you can start practicing now:
Use a Daily Planner and Schedule Your Self-Care Needs
According to Psychology Today, making use of a daily planner can help you manage your time effectively hence, reducing unnecessary stress from missing something important. You can also use your planner to make time for self-care activities like going for a walk, enjoying a spa, or a regular visit to your doctor.
Have a Self-Care Kit and Always Wear a Medical ID for Peace of Mind
Your self-care kit should have items that allow you to manage your well-being no matter where you are. This can include essential oils that offer relief from stress or headaches, your favorite tea, or a face mist that can refresh you anytime. If you have a medical condition, your self-care kit can include your medical devices, prescribed medication, and other items that can increase your safety and peace of mind.
Make a resolution to always wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace if you're not yet wearing one. Medical alert jewelry can keep you safe in an emergency and ensure that others are alerted of your allergies, medical conditions, or if you're taking medications. Type 1 Diabetes advocate and influencer, Samira Hemraj says, “Since the day I was diagnosed, a medical ID was a priority! My medical ID gives me security that in case of an emergency where I am unable to help, I can give additional information right away.”
If you’re thinking of getting a medical ID, read these tips on choosing the right medical alert jewelry and what to engrave.
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Regularly Organize and Declutter Your Space
Being tidy and ridding your space of clutter can help you live a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life. Make time to organize your work and living space to give yourself a sense of order that many of us need to enjoy a balanced life.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology shows that a clean space is key to maintaining positive relationships, reducing stress, and promoting overall well-being.
Your bedroom, wardrobe, and medicine cabinets are good places to start. Look for inspiration such as books and TV shows on tidying up to give yourself some motivation. You might be surprised to see how cleaning and decluttering can be so rewarding.
Cook for Yourself
Some people can see cooking as an unattractive, time-consuming chore. However, cooking can be an enjoyable part of your self-care too.
Preparing your own food can boost the nutrition found in homecooked meals versus take-out and ready-to-eat options, help you avoid food allergies and sensitivities, and ultimately saves you time and money. These benefits point towards having a happier and healthier life. In fact, experts believe that the very process of cooking can nourish your psychological well-being.
Find Support and Connect With Online Communities
According to NewLifeOutlook, when a person has a chronic condition, it can feel like no one understands what they are going through. Joining online communities such as discussion forums or Facebook groups can open up opportunities to share information and get new ideas on how to better cope with health problems.
Participating in support groups can also reduce feelings of loneliness, distress, anxiety, and improve understanding of a disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can also help a person gain a sense of empowerment, control, and hope.
Conclusion
What do you think of these self-care habits and which one of them are you likely to practice? You don't have to adapt all of these habits at once. Choose one or two self-care activities to practice and simply build your way up so that self-care is no longer just a buzzword, but a way of life.
