First off, what is self-care? Self-care is an individual’s act and practice of improving one’s own mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Practicing self-care can be deemed difficult when faced with a busy schedule and most often we feel guilty because the “self” aspect of self-care can be seen as selfish.  However, self-care should be seen as a priority for a person to have a happy and healthy life. 

Self-care varies for each individual, but here are 5 methods you can focus on to take better care of yourself:

1) Have a consistent sleep schedule.

Sleep plays a massive part in both our mental and physical well-being. If you’re finding it hard to fall asleep easily at night, it may be because of your before-bed routine. For example, using an electronic device may trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime since blue light suppresses melatonin. With that said, try to aim at not using a device at least 1-2 hours before bedtime. Another reason would be because of what you are drinking/eating right before bed, it’s important to stay away from sugar or caffeine for a good night’s rest. 

2) Get and stay active. 

Exercise is important in many aspects of health but it can be hard to make it to the gym every day, which is why you can incorporate it into your daily routine. Just getting your daily steps in can be your first step into a daily goal for fitness! Being active doesn’t have to do with just physical health, a range of activities will boost your mood/energy and can be a good outlet for relieving stress or anxiety. 

3) Maintain a healthy gut. 

Focusing on eating foods that give you energy will help your brain stay focused and energized throughout the day (therefore allowing you to sleep better at night). Sugar and processed foods can cause inflammation throughout the body and in the brain, which is why a balance of all kinds of food in our diets is essential.

4) Practice positive self-talk and thinking.

It takes time and effort to develop positive thinking and self-talk, but it is the most crucial in the refinement of our mental health. You can turn every negative thought into a positive one: instead of “I’ve never done this before” rephrase it with “This is a new opportunity to learn something new”. When your state of mind is altered for the better, you’re able to see the world more optimistically and constructively. 

5) Balance yourself and your schedule. 

A part of self-care is taking breaks and allowing yourself to prioritize your own needs. This includes setting boundaries with others, exploring mindful living, and being comfortable with yourself without the need for validation. Balancing your schedule will make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself which causes you to burn out.