5 Ways to Make Self-Care a Priority

It’s time we stop living for the weekend and start living for today by making time for ourselves! Self-care is any activity that takes care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Everyone is busy and always has a never ending list of things to do. There are a million reasons not to do something but self-care can be as short as a few minutes. We need to start caring more for our mind, body, and soul and that can look different to each person. Research suggests the more we practice self-care, the more confident, creative, and productive we are. What’s stopping you? 

Here are 5 ways that you can make self-care a priority in your life. 

1. Sleep: 7-9 Hours Everynight
One of the most important activities is sleep! Ensuring you are well rested each day helps your daily goals. In the U.S., 40% of people get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Not only does lack of sleep make you wish you had an extra cup of coffee, but it can also lead to health problems and cognitive impairment. So skip the late-night mindless Instagram scrolling!

2. Do Something That Brings You Joy
Have a dance party. Call a friend. Listen to your favorite song. Take yourself to lunch. Try that new workout class. Take a bath. Celebrate your existence. Stretch. Spend time outdoors. Cook your favorite meal. Do something that brings you happiness. Time is too precious and our only non-renewable energy source so start doing something that makes you feel alive and on top of the world!

3. Start A Side Hustle
Is your day-to-day job not bringing the joy you need in life? If you can’t change your current situation, add something new that you love! If you love to paint, read, write, draw, dance, sing, take photos, cut hair, or start an app, then do it. My favorite story is of Melsy’s Illustrations. She was working a 9-5 marketing job but she wasn’t happy. Melsy started to draw as her side hustle which eventually grew and is now her entire business! If you have a passion for something, don’t give it up. You may not be able to do it full-time at the moment but you never know what the future holds. 

4. Move That Body
If you don’t have much energy these days, try moving around! It’s highly recommended that adults exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Not only is exercising good for your health but it can help your mood and energy if you are feeling down. If you don’t have time to exercise before or after work, take a 20-30 minute brisk walk at lunch. A change of scenery and movement can improve your mental health as much as your physical.

5. Write It Down
In all of life’s chaos, it can be hard to take time to focus on the good that happened that day. So write it down even if you had a bad day. Write down 3 things that went well, 3 things that you’re grateful for, or 3 things that made you happy. Focusing on the positives and writing it out can help reduce stress and put things into perspective.