Why you should care about self-care *

*This is a collaborative post.

Looking after our physical, mental and emotional health is something we should all be doing. This is known as ‘self-care’ which simply means trying to find different ways to protect and improve our overall wellness. Everyone’s version will be different, but there are certain tips you can undertake that can help to ensure a healthier, happier version of yourself. Here are five ways you can start practising self-care.

Make time for yourself

Making time for yourself is one of the most important things you can do to improve your wellness. Doing the things you love and enjoy is a great way to recharge when the stresses of everyday life such as work, family and friends start to take a toll. Maybe take up a new hobby like yoga or meditation which can have a positive effect on your mental health.

Look after your body

Listen to what your body needs. Try to eat healthily and drink plenty of water. Whether it’s running, swimming or dancing; find an activity that you love and incorporate it into part of your everyday routine. Make sure personal care remains a priority because even the smallest tasks like showering every day can help you feel better.

Forget about the opinions of others

Quite often we put the opinions of those who have a negative impact on us before anything else and it can send you into a downward spiral trying to do things to please others. Try to focus less on the opinions of others and let go of people who bring you down, whether that’s on social media or in real life.

Spend time outside

There are many health benefits from spending time outside such as improving short term memory, relieving stress and eliminating fatigue. We spend a lot of time looking at our screens and scrolling endlessly through social media which has a negative effect on us. Getting out into a more natural environment can help improve both physical and mental health.

Be kind to yourself

We treat family and friends with love and respect but often don’t apply the same kind, caring gestures to ourselves. Instead, we tend to beat ourselves up over small insignificant things and are much harsher than we should be. If you start to feel down about yourself, remember to show yourself the same love and respect as this is fundamental to the self-care process.

If you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, start by incorporating self-care into your everyday routine.