I never used to give much thought to having any sort of habits or routines in my day, let alone having daily self-care habits as a must do. I felt like my main focus was getting what had to be done (work, errands, etc) through with as quick as possible so that I could then theoretically rest and play.
Only problem was that the work or ‘must do’ items on my to-do list never seemed to end. So I would end up working non-stop until I mentally couldn’t any more and I felt like crap. This meant that I also didn’t have any energy left to make healthy food choices or get in some much needed exercise after sitting all day.
I usually ended up on the couch with a quick (but not nutritional) meal in hand and attempt to override my still buzzing brain by watching ‘fluff’ on television. Not so good for my health or happiness!
This pattern ended in complete burnout, not once but twice (I’m a slow learner!) and let me tell you that burnout is not fun, not in the least. You feel tired and jaded and everything becomes a struggle, it can take months and months to fully recover from burnout.
Now I avoid burnout by including some self-care habit in my day and I’m happy to say that they help me to not only feel healthier, but happier as well.
Another unexpected bonus? These habits actually help me to be more productive than I was before! Happy people can achieve more in a shorter space of time and these habits keep me feeling focused and fresh throughout the day.
So what are the self-care habits that have helped me so much? I like to have a regular morning routine and night routine, but here are the self-care habits I do during my days…
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Drink plenty of water
Having kidney disease brought this point into sharp focus for me as I can get dehydrated really quickly. But dehydration can cause loss of energy and headaches that affect our abilities to function properly for everybody!
It definitely pays to stay hydrated with plenty of water intake (see this article for 7 science-based benefits).
Keep a water bottle or two nearby and aim to drink a big glass full (or mug) of water before every meal or snack. This will help you to have regular drinks throughout the day.
Eat nutritious food
Food fuels our bodies, so the more nutritious your meals, the better you are going to feel within your body. Eat a wide range of foods – generally fresh and unprocessed foods are better than their alternatives (see this post for a handy guide on what a balanced diet consists of).
As with your water intake, regular meals are best, so set yourself a timer to have something to eat every few hours or so to keep your body going.
Movement
A lot of us work on our computers, sitting down at a desk or table and because of this, it is easy to stay inactive for much of the day. This inactivity is not good for our bodies and can lead to not only aches and pain in our muscles and joints, but even internal conditions that significantly affect our health.
Combat the negatives by taking regular movement breaks by standing up from your desk and either going for a quick walk, do some office stretches or even have a short dance session (my favourite!). Can’t get up from your desk? Try this seated yoga session.
If you are someone who focuses on your work so much you lose track of time (like me!), it might be a good idea to set a timer to act as a prompt to get up from your desk every now and then.
Take breaks
As well as being good to get a bit of movement in, breaks are a good opportunity to freshen your brain so it is ready for another focus session.
You might want to use the Pomodoro Technique of working for 25 minutes and breaking for 5 minutes. This is a great way to challenge yourself to get a task done within your work session and keeps you from getting stale or simply stuck on an endless task.
Get grounded
In today’s fast paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in everything that is going on and forget to take time out to remind ourselves what’s important to us and to treasure the good things in our lives.
Take some time to get grounded by making a conscious effort to breathe deeply and check in with yourself. You might also want to journal, have a gratitude practice, use a mantra or some affirmations.
Make time for fun
Don’t put off fun for some other day when you have more time. Include fun moments every day to make life that bit sweeter.
It doesn’t have to take heaps of time (although it can if you want!), but it’s worthwhile trying to fit in at least one activity that will bring you fun.
Can’t think of anything off the top of your head? Pretend you are a young kid again and let that child-like spirit guide you.
Take action towards your goals and dreams
Having goals and dreams may seem pointless or even intimidating if you are battling with mental health issues or a schedule that is already bursting at the seams – I know they did for me, but goals actually help you to be happier.
Goals and dreams give you hopes and desires to look forward to and can give you a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Take a step each day towards your goals, no matter how small, and will feel like you are actually living your life, not just existing.
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These are the self-care habits I like to include throughout my day and, when I action all of them? I feel on top of the world because I am looking after myself and giving myself the best chance of enjoying my day.
Yes, things sometimes come up and change things, but doing our best to include some self-care habits into our days really does help with our health and happiness levels. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so check in with yourself and listen to what you need.
Why not pick a self-care habit to include in your days from now on? To get you started, you can use my ‘Craft Your Nurturing Routines’ workbook, you can grab it here for free.
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