Every day doing the same exact things and the same exact time can become mundane and leave little room for filling up our cup with the things we love to feel fulfilled. It is very easy to get caught up in the same cycle of work, dinner, showering, sleep and repeat, but we know at ScissorsCut that it’s not enough for us, or you.
We all need self-care in our lives to look good and feel good. So what does that entail? Self-care looks different for each of us. Here we’ll go over some ways to practice self-care that will enrich your life.
Check-in With Yourself
Sometimes self-care means practicing a little self-compassion, whether you only have to do it once a week or multiple times on a bad day. Take a few minutes to remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can for that day and be proud of each day’s accomplishments, however small.
Remember to be kind yourself, don’t only focus on any failings you may have had, praise yourself when you accomplish goals. Sometimes keeping a list of tasks and checking them off when they are complete is an accomplishment in itself and a great way to check-in with yourself. At the end of each day, allow yourself to let go of the day’s stress and anxiety.
Make Time to Exercise
We’ve mentioned exercise in a previous post and are here to mention it again! Exercise is a valuable asset to your life. There are many ways to exercise, from going to your local gym, running and hiking outdoors, checking out yoga studios, to doing at-home workouts. It doesn’t matter where you work out, but that you make time to do so.
It can be hard to get started and easy to say you don’t have the time. We promise you that exercising is a great way to practice self-care. Not only to achieve a specific physique but to benefit your mental health as well. You will see positive changes in your mind and body.
Eat Consciously
Mindful eating or eating consciously, is when we learn to put complete attention to cravings and physical cues when we’re eating or feeling hungry. It involves pacing ourselves while we eat instead of rushing through each meal and allowing ourselves to understand when we’re actually hungry or eating due to a non-hunger trigger. It also involves noting how foods and ingredients affect our bodies physically and mentally.
Some foods will energize us and make us feel great, and others, such as foods high in sugar, will ultimately deplete our energy and noticeably hurt our health over time. Eating consciously also is about appreciating the food we eat and enjoying the experience instead of feeling guilt at every meal.
Listen to Music You Love
Music generates a feeling in the body and mind that is genuinely therapeutic. Studies as far back as the 1700s show that music affects our psychological responses, cardiac output, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. For many of us, music also makes us feel like we are in our mother’s arms, not necessarily consciously —it triggers that feeling of love and security.
When you find yourself too wrapped up in thoughts about work and other stressors, take the time to listen to your favorite music. Sing and dance, or simply quietly meditate and focus on the notes. Music will stop you from thinking about the what-ifs and allow you to enjoy the present moment.
Spend Time with Friends and Family
We have learned new ways to spend time with people we love during the pandemic. It’s important to add time with friends and family to our weekly schedule. If your friends have been, and continue to be in your bubble, be sure to set up coffee or dinner dates. While the weather is frigid, it can be hard to get around some days, but don’t let that stop you! Set up video call dinners with family or virtual game nights with friends.
Spending time with others allows us to remove ourselves from daily thoughts and worries; this is good for our mental health. Sociologists, psychologists, and epidemiologists have researched and studied how supportive interactions with others benefit the immune system, cardiovascular functions, and stress response. When we spend time with family or friends, who are part of our support system, not only does our mental health thrive, but so does our physical health.
Start a New Hobby
For some of us, keeping up with our hobbies may have been hard during this pandemic, but we highly encourage you to pick them up or start a new one. Doing crafts or taking on a new hobby helps you with your identity, spirituality, and is calming. Because you become better and better over time, it will help you achieve a certain level of mastery and even recognition. These benefits from specific hobbies increase your life satisfaction.
Some crafts and other hobbies you can start include:
- Painting miniatures
- Cookie decorating
- Learning to cook
- Painting with different medias
- Drawing
- Learning a new language
- Picking up a sport
- Knitting and crocheting
- Home decor
Skincare Routine
Regardless of the weather and time of year, taking care of our skin and giving it some love is a form of self-care. Our skin is an organ, and it needs to be taken care of! We all know some basic skincare tricks and tips, but are we doing everything we can for it? Maybe, but maybe not! Creating a routine that enhances how we look and feel is another great way of practicing self-care.
Remember to use products that benefit your skin type. Take the time to really research ingredients to know what nourishes your complexion. Check your skin for any abnormalities in case you need to seek medical care. Don’t just take care of your face but also care for your neck and entire body, be sure to moisturize it, and when you’re out and about, use sunscreen. And the overall health of your body and skin, don’t forget to drink water