8 Simple Self-Care Habits

Happy Valentine's Day! 💖 Do not forget the most important person in your life – YOU!

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We focus a lot on our external relationships and often neglect our relationship with ourselves.  It is not easy to find the time to give yourself the love you need to recharge.  We are not the best at practicing self-love and are often too hard on ourselves.  Self-care is investing in your emotional and physical well-being through simple acts.  Self-care is not selfish; it is an important part of living a happier and more productive life. 

Feel too busy to schedule a little me-time? Self-care can be as simple as taking 10-minutes a day of prioritizing your needs above anyone else’s. Have a daily self-care practice will reap long-term perks.  It will give you something to look forward to on a day-to-day basis, and it will help you re-frame your mindset.

I challenge you to take a step towards self-acceptance and self-love. Here are a few self-love habits for you to try.   

8 Self-Care Habits to Try

1- Unplug
For many, the boundary between work-time and home-time is non-existent.  To help reset those boundaries, block out time daily or at least a few times a week that you unplug from your phone and/or computer.  No-tech time will help your brain and nervous system to re-calibrate and allow you to create more time for you.  You can use that time to read a good book, go for a walk, cook a good meal or just sit and enjoy a glass of wine. 

2-Get Some Sleep
When we are looking for more time in our day, we tend to cut back on sleep.  One in four Americans are chronically sleep-deprived.  Start by scaling back your bedtime by 15 minutes.  Then add 15 minutes each week till you have given yourself at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.  More sleep tips.

3-Test a New Recipe
Are you in a diet rut? We all have our go tos that we make over and over because we know them, and they are easy.  Cooking can be a fun de-stressors and help to get your creative juices flowing.  Turn on the music and try out that new recipe. 

4-Learn the Power of Saying No
Do you say Yes to everything?  It is nice to want to help and be there for everyone but over time it can become completely draining.  Learning to say no is a powerful self-care tool.  The next time you are in a situation where you want to say no but feel obligated to yes, take a couple of minutes to think before you commit.   
You don’t have to say no all the time but saying yes to your needs more often will give you more time to recharge and take care of you.

5-Start or End the Day with Gratitude.This is an easy one to fit it.  Keep a notebook on your nightstand, and list out three things you are grateful for every morning or night.  They can be simple and insignificant or more elaborate. Just jot down whatever is making you happy lately.  Studies show that the more intentionally thankful we are for the little things in life, the more natural it is to maintain a positive and upbeat disposition.  
Need help, here are a few ideas to get you started.

• I am grateful for a strong, healthy body that allows me to play with my:  kids, dog, grandkids...
• I am thankful for my best friend/partner/sibling, who always shows up and offers support.
• I feel grateful that I have access to healthy fruits and veggies.

6-Get Out in Nature
Being in nature has a profound impact on mood and overall health. It is a great way to rejuvenate your spirit and calm your mind.  It can be your favorite hike, walk in your neighborhood or hang out on your patio.

7-Deep Breathing   
We can’t underestimate the power of deep breathing. It’s a self-care tool that can be practiced anytime and anywhere. When you are feeling tense, stop and take a few deep breaths. This simple act will help to calm your body and mind and allow you to refocus.

8-Take Frequent Breaks during your workday.  
We are not designed to sit and accomplish task after task without taking a mental or physical break.  Fit in time away from the computer to enjoy a nourishing lunch, pet the dog or to stretch and breathe for five minutes is an amazing way to take care of your mind and body as you power through your day. 

Self-Care is Not Selfish— it’s The Key to Helping You Become Your Best Self
Self-care is an important part of maintaining our overall health. Taking time daily for you will help you to be feeling healthier, happier, and more rejuvenated!