The phrase “take care of yourself” has many connotations surrounding it. For example, at the end of a social event, you may say this to the other person, insinuating that you wish for them to get home safely. In another instance, you might utter this to someone who is unwell as a subtle suggestion that they need to take things slower and look after their body in order to get better.
Ultimately, there are various ways for one to properly take care of themselves and this is entirely dependent on where they feel most exhausted.
Appearance
Let’s start with the most straightforward one, your appearance. Specifically, when you feel over-tired or emotionally strained, booking in a pamper day can do you the world of good.
Ideally, a spa day is a preferred option as it not only relaxes your body but helps rejuvenate your skin to leave you feeling fresh-faced. However, if you’re not able to stretch to that amount, opting for a professional makeover or a fresh haircut can stimulate the same fresh, energised feeling.
Taking the time to work on your appearance isn’t always a vanity move but can help you to feel more confident and secure in yourself.
Breathing
We get it, this may sound like an odd one to throw in there but breathing is a quick and free exercise to relax you if you’re feeling slightly on edge.
Experts recommend using the calming breathing technique when you’re on the verge of stressing out, breaking down, or having a panic attack. Make sure both feet are flat on the ground, pull in a deep breath through your nose while counting one to five, then blow out the breath through your mouth gently for five seconds. Continue to do this until your pulse has slowed to a steady rhythm.
This technique works to calm your body down and enables you to think clearly about the situation.
Positive reminders
As human beings, we find it very easy to compliment others but not so much ourselves- it just doesn’t come naturally.
Nonetheless, mental health charity, Mind, suggests that everyone should work on their self-esteem to truly accept and look after themselves. This is achieved by getting to know yourself, being in touch with your feelings, challenging negative thoughts, resisting the urge to compare yourself to others, spending more time outside, participating in physical activities, and celebrating your successes. Of course, these are just a few of the many ways in which you can work towards a positive mindset.
You can also put into practice a positive outlook for other areas of your life in which you may have evoked negative feelings, such as work, relationships, personal hobbies and so on.
Rest
Lastly, one that will help in taking care of both your mental and physical health. Getting enough sleep and planning days to do absolutely nothing into your diary.
Yes, you heard it here first. Forget about arranging as much as you can possibly fit in for the month and start working out when you can have rest days.
Alongside any job, once you’ve planned in social dates, time to do personal hobbies, and everything else life throws your way, you can end up being fairly stacked out. Nevertheless, there’s no point in having all these plans if you’ve got no energy to really be there for them.
What’s more, the idea of not having to set an alarm in the morning and knowing you can take your time once you have woken up is an idea full of pure temptation.
To most this may seem like the ultimate lazy day but your body sometimes needs more than just eight hours sleep a night to work at its optimum.
Therefore, crack open a book and step away from the real world entirely, or if you really struggle to do nothing, then bake that recipe you’ve been dreaming about for a while now – baking is a brilliant form of calming therapy. All in all, if our bodies and minds don’t feel up to anything, then all other areas of life start to take a negative turn. It’s important to take care of ourselves, not just for health reasons but so we can be the best versions of ourselves.