Does the term “self-care” come across as self-indulgent or selfish to you? There is a misconception that self-care only means shopping and salon visits. Some women assume it is exclusively for those with plenty of time and money. It is time to change these beliefs and prioritize self-care in women for better mental and physical health. Ladies, stop putting yourself at the end of your priority list. Taking care of yourself will make you feel better, and the better you feel, the better you will be in all aspects of your life, including job and relationships.
There are many stages in a woman’s life – from puberty to motherhood to menopause which cause a lot of changes in their body. How women take care of their health in the form of self-care is of utmost importance to lead fulfilling lives. Women in our society are frequently pressured to be caregivers and children, spouses, parents, friends, and even pets come first for them. Self-care simply means you’re taking time to care for yourself. It means identifying and addressing your own needs, which most women find difficult.
The mind is the starting point for everything. Taking time to relax, meditate, plan ahead, and concentrate on improving one’s health could be the first step toward self-care. The lack of self-care and down time leads to stress, which plays an important role in aggravating many illnesses women deal with such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac illnesses, infertility, thyroid imbalance, and skin diseases. Self-care on a regular basis can help you enhance your physical, emotional, mental, intellectual, and spiritual selves.
1.Read a book – A good book can help change your mood and enrich your life immensely. Even if you have 10 minutes to spare start reading a book today.
2.Exercise & Meditation – Set aside time some time daily to meditate and exercise. Regular exercise releases chemicals in your brain called endorphins that help boost your mood and meditation helps you relax.
3.Learn to say “No” – It’s important to have healthy boundaries that allow you to say no to things that overwhelm.
4.Listen to music – The soothing power of music will help improve your mood, reduce stress and thus supports good mental health.
5.Dance – Dance like nobody is watching, join a fun dance class with your friends or alone. It is the best form of exercise to stay fit physically and mentally.
6.Maintain a journal – Write down your inner thoughts here. You can also mention all the things in life you are grateful about.
7.Enjoy healthy meals – Mothers tend to rush their meal times skip them too especially breakfast. You must plan in advance and ensure that you eat healthy just like your kids.
8.Detox from technology – Spend some me-time alone, without a phone. Be it staring outside the window or sipping your coffee, keep your phone away. This is the quickest and easiest way to rejuvenate yourself.
9.Connect with your loved ones – Maintain social connections with your family and friends to help de-stress and reduce the risk of mental health concerns.
10.Explore your creativity – Take up things that interest you. Join a pottery class, paint, learn a new language, and learn to play a new instrument. Prioritize that one thing that you have been thinking for years and not giving time to.
11.Set realistic goals – Set realistic goals for yourself, do not pressurize yourself to be perfect at all times. This will help reduce disappointment with your own self.
12.Get enough sleep – Poor sleep patterns will eventually harm your health. Follow a healthy sleep schedule and rest well for 7 to 8 hours.
