What is self-care? The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines self-care as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health.”
After living through a pandemic, I think we can all agree that prioritizing our health (physical and mental) is a must. However, it can be hard to come up with ideas or ways to perform acts of self-care. If you’re looking for help finding easy ways to take care of yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Read below for three fabulous forms of self-care that you can try right now!
Spend time with loved ones:
Someone once told me that food tastes better when you eat it with someone who you love, and I totally agree. Being around people who know and love you is one of the most comforting feelings in the world, and an instant endorphin booster. Spending time with friends and family, even if it’s just over the phone, is a sure-fire way to boost your spirits and take care of yourself.
Exercise:
While we are on the topic of endorphins, another form of self-care that boosts endorphins is exercise. There are so many health benefits to exercise it’s crazy. Here’s just a few of things that regular exercise can do:
-Lower blood pressure
-Improve memory and brain function
-Aid in weight management
-Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression
-Enhance your quality of sleep
And remember, exercise doesn’t need to be rigorous for it to count, and the more you exercise the easier it gets. If you’re looking for an easy and low-impact exercise, try taking a walk, swimming, or yoga.
A trip to the Salon or Spa:
Sophia Loren once said, “nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful” and that perfectly defines the reason why regular trips to the salon or spa are essential. How we feel about ourselves, has a direct impact on our mental health, which in turn can affect our physical health. Aside from feeling good about your appearance, trips to the salon often turn into social outings and a way to meet new friends or catch up with old ones. In addition to the social aspect of the salon, getting regular scalp massages and facial massages can help improve blood flow by dilating the blood vessels under the skin. Improved blood flow can promote hair growth on the scalp, and delay signs of aging on the skin.