In the last few years, self-care has become a big trend. Many people have taken to focusing on themselves to bring out a better, stronger, and–most importantly–healthier self. It’s a great shift to have people start putting priority into their health, especially when life is so stressful on the regular. We all need time to take care of ourselves. 

Self-care is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as, “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.” 

This does not mean pampering or being selfish. It simply means taking care of yourself so you lead a healthier life. 

Here are 12 simple ways to practice self-care in your day-to-day to help improve your life: 

Eat a healthy meal 

Sometimes life can get so busy we opt for a quick fix for food, throwing something together or eating out. It can get hard to stand in the middle of your kitchen trying to find the motivation to cook something from scratch. It happens and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, whenever you can, try making something simple or finding a food place that serves healthy options. Remember you are nourishing your body, and whatever you feed yourself can make a difference. 

Go for a walk 

Whenever I’m at my peak stress, I tend to drop everything and go for a walk. (Yes, this will depend on the kind of weather you have in your little corner of Earth). My favorite time of the year to go for walks is in the summer, fall, or spring. As long as there’s some warmth, it’ll help calm me down as I just stretch and move my body while I take in fresh air. Take five minutes out of your day if you can, walk around the block or your neighborhood, and have those moments to yourself. 

Sit in the sunlight 

Similarly to taking a walk, sitting outside to get in sunlight can help improve your mood. From past experiences, sitting just a few minutes under the sun (wear your sunscreens please) has helped me feel so much better instantly. Sometimes it feels like I’m a plant finally getting much needed sun rays after being stuck in the shade. Sunlight has many benefits to your wellbeing, such as helping make vitamin D and boosting serotonin. 

Take a shower or bath 

Hygiene is an important part of self-care, but taking a shower or bath is a great way to relax and relieve stress as well. Make sure your water is lukewarm and not too hot so you don’t damage your skin. Use a brush, scrubs, or aromatherapy to elevate your shower experience. (Personally, I also like using a lavender body wash infused with melatonin that helps promote sleep). And don’t forget to hydrate the skin with lotion once you’re done!  

Take a break 

Sometimes you just need to step back from whatever you’re doing. Maybe you have a big project, or perhaps you’re dealing with a work issue, or your family is having a little crisis. Allow yourself to step back, even if for a few moments, to recenter yourself and come back better. 

Listen to music 

Grab your headphones or blast out your favorite song. Sing out loud. Hum the tune. Mumble the lyrics. Tap your feet to the beat. Feel the music and let yourself be swept away by it. Actively listening to songs you have positive associations to can help improve your mood and relieve stress, so take advantage of that. Go ahead and play your favorite playlist! 

Read a book 

While reading has many benefits, it has been proven in a 2009 study from the University of Sussex that reading reduces stress by 68%. I know most of us live a life that requires constant reading–your phone, traffic signs, work-related documents, etc., but reading for pleasure is a different ballgame. Pick up a book or a magazine. Borrow from your local library or buy a book from your nearest bookstore (support indie bookstores!). Find something that you like and sit down and read away. 

Reflect on what you’re grateful for 

Life can get so hectic at times that we forget what we have around us. Taking some time to be grateful for what we have is a nice way to remind ourselves that hope is not lost and despite our stress and our constant situations and problems, at least we have many things to be grateful for. It’s important to not forget all the good in our lives. Take a moment to think about what you’re grateful for. 

Pray 

This really depends on what you believe or not believe in because everyone comes from different backgrounds. However, in the realm of spiritual self-care, prayer is great. Taking a few minutes every day to pray can reduce stress and help you face the rest of your day. 

Get in touch with a friend 

Socialization is important. Whether you’re able to go out and meet up with someone or pick up the phone and call a friend, try to connect with people in your circle. We need socialization. That may look different on every person, some need more than others, but it’s important to connect. So go call that friend to catch up or go out for a bit. 

Meditate 

Meditation helps bring out inner peace and reduce stress. To someone who has no idea how to start, the concept of meditation can be daunting. Many sources say that meditation is about forgetting all the jumbled thoughts going through your head and bringing in peace. Like I said, daunting. It certainly requires practice. But there are many types out there for you to choose from, like: guided meditation, mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, just to name a few. Carve out some time to sit and meditate, and reduce all that pent-up stress. 

Self-reflect

Self-reflection is a great way to get to know yourself. It’s a process of understanding who you are and how you feel or act, among other things. This is a great way to be more conscious of yourself, which can lead to making easier changes to improve yourself and your life. Before you start to self-reflect, make sure you’re in a calm mood. Prior meditation can help get you to this state. Once you’re ready, self-reflect however you see fit for yourself. Some people opt for writing, answering questions like: what happened, what does it make you feel and think, etc. Others get a self-reflection workbook with predetermined questions. Either way, finding a way to be true to yourself and reflect on your feelings, thoughts, and actions can help you focus on what you need to improve on or just simply understand yourself. 

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Practicing self-care has shown to have incredible benefits, like reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and improving happiness and energy. It’s important to prioritize our health. Go try it out and take care of yourself.