It’s a proven fact that the better you treat yourself, the better the rest of your life gets. After all, how can you rock it in work, relationships, and life in general if you’re run down, unhealthy, and all-around unbalanced? If there’s one new year’s resolution you should stick to this year, it’s to take better care of yourself. And the good thing is, it doesn’t take a lot to start treating yourself right. If you want to amp up the self-care without going overboard, we’ve put together this handy list of super easy things you can start doing today to look out for numero uno.
Dial Back on the Social Media
Studies show that people who spend more time on social media than actually interacting with other people in real life are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those who don’t. And it makes sense… when you start comparing your life to the supposedly ‘perfect lives’ others are constantly posting online, it can really do a number on your self esteem. The next time you find yourself falling down the social media rabbit hole, shut down your apps, go for a walk, or ring up a friend and have a real conversation instead. All the iPhone users out there, your ‘screen time’ will keep track of how many hours your are looking at your screen. We think you will be shocked once you start tracking.
Try a Minute of Mindfulness
So often we go through life putting so many things on autopilot that we forget to take in what’s actually going on around us, and more importantly what’s going on within ourselves. Meditation is great for calming the mind and creating a greater sense of self-awareness, but we understand it’s not always easy to find the time and willpower to do. That’s why we suggest taking just a minute every so often to sit back and take stock of what you’re feeling both externally and internally. Try to do it a few times a day, and we can guarantee things will start to become a whole lot calmer and clearer.And if you’re ready to try mediation, check out Insight Timer, a free app which has over 15,000 meditations.
Adopt One Healthy Eating Strategy Per Week
We all know we should eat more healthfully, but doing a complete diet overhaul is not only stressful and completely unfun, it’s pretty much guaranteed to fail. Baby steps are the key when it comes to making long-lasting lifestyle changes. Try implementing one diet change per week to ease into things and boost your eating habits one step at a time. For example, you might want to start with eating at least one full serving of greens every day, then move on to doing ‘Meatless Mondays’, next swap out sodas for smoothies, etc. Get your mates or fam to help you brainstorm new ideas to make it more fun.
It’s OK to Say No
No matter who you are or what you do, there are always going to be people who constantly demand your time, attention, and energy. And if you’re anything like us, you probably find it hard to say no, especially when it comes to work and family obligations. It’s a nice idea to try and please everyone, but at the end of the day, you might actually be doing others a disservice by taking on more than you can handle. Plus, people tend to have more respect for others who stand up for themselves and set boundaries.
Find Your Rhythm
You probably knew that exercise was going to be on the list, but we’re not going to tell you to get your butt down to the gym every day. Instead, we suggest finding ways to move your body that are actually fun and feel good for you. If you like the gym, then great! But if not, try to find other ways to incorporate movement into your life on a regular basis. Maybe it’s a nightly sunset walk with your partner, weekly wakeboard sessions, or impromptu solo dance marathons in front of your mirror. Whatever works for you, do it with all you’ve got and do it often.
Put it on Paper
One of the best ways to get things off your chest and out of your mind is to write them down. A journal is a great therapeutic tool that works as an outlet for any negative emotions you may be feeling. On the flipside, it can also help remind you of all the positive things you have going on in your life. We suggest taking some time at the end of the day to write down a few things that are bothering you and then a few things that you’re happy about or thankful for. This way you can gain a more balanced perspective. Recommended service: Penzu
