Everyone knows the importance of taking care of yourself, but it can be difficult to recognize where to start. The tricky part about self-care is that everyone is different. Not all the steps and formulas that health and wellness gurus impose will work the same way for you. Even so, self-care is essential. It is an intentional practice to do every day that will give you a better sense of self and improve wellness. As they say, the better you care for yourself, the better you can meet the needs of others. 

Self-care has many forms, and fortunately, even if people have different preferences, there are still steps that everyone finds helpful. If you’re struggling to begin your self-care journey, here are some simple steps to start.

Step 1: Be Mindful Of What You Eat. 

You may have probably encountered this tip many times already, but it is indeed the beginning of everything. Nourishing your body with brain-boosting foods like fruits and vegetables can improve your mood and energy levels. That is apart from keeping you strong, preventing diet-related illness, and allowing you to stay active throughout the day. 

Here are the other benefits you would get from eating these healthy foods:

• Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients that could improve your body’s detoxing capabilities. They are good at fighting infection and increasing your energy level.
• Fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, offering health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar, normalizing bowel movements, and helping you live longer. 
• According to research, eating fruits and vegetables helped increase life satisfaction among the respondents. The feeling was even compared to how an unemployed person feels after securing a job!

There’s nothing wrong with indulging in things that make your tastebuds happy every so often (in fact, it can be great for your mental health!), but be sure to prioritize giving your body the nutrients and fuel it needs.

Step 2: Make Time for Rest

Remember that you can only do so much. The human body, no matter how strong or well-trained, cannot handle everything. It needs enough rest to recover and prepare for the next day. Most people who constantly feel tired throughout the day are simply lacking sufficient rest. The boost caffeine offers may give them strength to power through, but living on borrowed energy is not sustainable! Your body needs to have some time to remain in a neutral, relaxed state.

Here are the manageable steps you can take to ensure you give your body the relaxation it needs:

• Allot time for deep breathing every day.
• Stretch your body whenever you can.
• Get enough sleep at night.

While these sound like easy tasks, they are not feasible or simple for some. Make conscious decisions of doing at least these three things, and you are off to a great start. You would wake up each morning feeling refreshed and energized. 

Step 3: Count Your Source of Joy

It is easy to be clouded by all the negative happenings and stress surrounding people every day. However, entertaining these thoughts will only lead to worse. It is important to see the downsides of life, but it is not ideal to stay on that path alone. After you recognize the things you cannot control, allow yourself also to see the beautiful things. They do not have to be grand. The simple smell of fresh air in the morning or your freshly baked cookies can be enough to make you feel a little better. Every time you notice three things that keep you down, find five small wins to appreciate and celebrate. 

Conclusion

Incorporating these self-care tips into your lifestyle can help you feel healthier and happier each day. At first, you would notice that beginning your self-care journey does not always have to be complicated. Then, you would realize that while there are things you cannot control, you are also powerful enough to also have a say in some aspect of your life. 

The beginning is always scary or overwhelming, but the journey you would experience would be worthwhile once you start. If you need help in starting, you can always seek help from a health and wellness coach. Meg Parker is an intentional health coach who can help you empower yourself through self-awareness and living an active lifestyle. She has been working with different individuals, from general citizens to athletes, and helping them achieve holistic health. Contact us to learn more about how she can help you.