Self-care is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. Some may think of self-care as setting aside time for exercise and meditation in their daily routine. Images on social media often depict self-care as applying a face mask or cooking a healthy meal. While these all can be very relaxing, healthy activities, we believe that self-care is so much more. It's about how you treat yourself, educate yourself, and create a better future for yourself. Without working on ourselves and taking time for ourselves every day, it would be unrealistic for us to expect a much different future from the one we have right now. Thus, we were inspired to dive into how investing in yourself now can help you feel better in the future.
Live in the present
Living in the present, also known as mindfulness, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to practice self-care without changing your routine at all. Mindfulness can be applied to nearly all of our daily activities, including walking, eating, drinking, and washing the dishes. You can even simply engage in noticing your breath. Continue to focus on your breath even if your mind becomes distracted by thoughts, emotions, or sensations.
Living in the present also includes eliminating distractions that don’t serve you. For instance, instead of scrolling through your Instagram feed while out to dinner with friends, put your phone away, and fully engage in the conversation. By eliminating distractions and living in the present, you will have more time for the things that truly matter.
Recharge your mental + emotional energy
When you’re overwhelmed at work and have a calendar packed with things to get done, self-care is typically the first thing to go. This can quickly cause you to become drained and burned out. Research has proven that the human brain and body cannot remain focused, productive, and effective without taking breaks to recharge. Setting aside time for self-care is a way to recharge your mental and emotional energy. The best part is that self-care doesn’t have to take a ton of time. In fact, sometimes it’s the quick, simple things that are happening on a regular basis that keep us recharged. In addition to practicing mindfulness, some examples of self-care activities that can help you recharge include spending time in nature, talking with friends, and making a gratitude list. All of these examples help to clear the mind and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, thus providing you with more mental and emotional energy.
Feeling + seeing the physical difference
Self-care habits that involve improving your physical health often take time to see positive results. For instance, when your first start a new exercise routine, you may have the desired goal to lose weight or build stronger muscles. Sometimes it can take weeks or even months to reach your desired goal. However, that doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress every time you work out. Notice how much better you feel after each workout. Ultimately, it’s important to take the time to notice the physical difference you feel and see during your self-care journey.
Anticipate a better future
As you can see, self-care is much more than simply putting on a face mask or running a scented bath. It’s about living in the present, recharging your mental and emotional energy, and investing in yourself now to feel better in the future. Most importantly, be sure to enjoy the process and get excited that all of your efforts are paving the way for a better future.
Check out more ways you can take care of yourself by using our soft pillowcases and signature sheet sets.
