4 Easy Ways to Start Taking Better Care of Yourself
Between work, family and home demands, keeping up with daily life can be exhausting. And when life gets busy, it’s easy to put yourself last. It doesn’t take long, though, for your body and mind to demand a break. Here are five easy ways to start taking care of yourself…today!
#1) Complete a Morning Meditation
It can be hard to avoid jumping full throttle into the day ahead upon waking. But meditating for as little as five minutes each morning can balance your mind for whatever comes next in your day.
New to the world of meditation? Check out a free video on YouTube or download an app to see how easy it can be. Soon enough, you’ll notice the difference that a morning meditation makes to your day ahead.
#2) Take the Time to Exercise Every Day
It’s hard to eliminate stress from daily living but it’s easy to reduce it by staying active. Besides stress levels, incorporating exercise into your daily routine can control weight, improve mood and combat certain health conditions and diseases.
It’s recommended that the average adult gets a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise (or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise) each week.
Ask your doctor before beginning an exercise program and remember to start slow! Even a brisk walk around your neighbourhood each morning can do wonders for your energy levels throughout the day.
#3) Unplug from Technology
According to Business Insider, the average user touches their phone over 2,600 times every day. When you combine this screen time with the amount of time you spend on computers, iPads and other electronic devices, most of our day become consumed by technology.
Before reaching for your cellphone each morning to check email, consider putting yourself first. Take your time getting yourself ready and eat a decent breakfast each morning.
Starting the day off right (without checking your emails first thing) can put you in a better mindset for the entire day ahead.
#4) Make Sleep a Priority
All too often, we go, go, go until we are so burnt out that we have trouble falling asleep. And when we don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, our bodies start to scream in protest. Aches and pains become more apparent, it becomes difficult to focus and the body starts producing more of the stress hormone cortisol. There are even serious potential problems linked to sleep deprivation including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
To make sure you get the sleep your body needs, shut down all electronics at least an hour before hitting the sheets. Avoid eating after dinner and immerse yourself in darkness in your bedroom.
Taking Care of Yourself Starts Today!
Even when life gets busy, it’s important to take time for yourself. Doing so will enable you to give your body and mind the rest it deserves and will set you up for a more positive day ahead.
