Lucille Ball famously said, “You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” Now, that’s really something we have to remind ourselves of from time to time.
We often forget about self-care and overwhelm ourselves with to-do lists and chores and, before we know it, we are too stressed out to think and work. That’s why it is important to put “self-care” on our to-do list. If you’re not convinced, let’s talk some more about the power of pampering, relaxation, and how to practice self-care.
Doctor’s Orders
Society is finally acknowledging that mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being. Poor mental health is a problem on its own, but it can also cause other health issues, including heart conditions and a weakened immune system. Active self-care is an important preventive that will keep you safe and healthy.
What Relaxation Can Do for Your Body and Mind
Stress is how your body reacts when you feel threatened or when you are in a tense situation. While we all handle it differently, some of the typical symptoms include:
- feeling overwhelmed and frustrated
- headaches
- dry mouth
- increased heart rate
- anxiety
- low energy
- obsessive worrying
- changes in appetite, etc.
Ongoing stress can seriously harm your health by leading to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
Relaxation, on the other hand, reduces the effects of stress on your mind and body. It also produces some long-term health benefits. Relaxing will help you lower your blood pressure, boost your focus and mood, and reduce muscle tension.
When you relax, a certain genetic response is triggered – one that enhances cell function and boosts insulin production, which increases your energy levels. When you practice relaxation regularly, these changes can become obvious and have a long-term constructive effect on your mind and body.
These activities also boost the production of “feel-good” hormones and lead to better mood and better sleep.
How to Relax
Some stress-management techniques are useful to know when you need to relax:
- Practice breathing exercises.
- Soak in a warm bath.
- Write a journal.
- Use guided imagery.
- Practice yoga.
- Take a walk.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation.
What Is Self-Care and Why Do We All Need It?
Self-care is also a crucial part of relaxing. It suggests you appreciate and love yourself enough, and it leads to positive feelings.
Besides relaxation, self-care includes other things you do to keep yourself healthy, both physically and mentally. Obviously, there are more dimensions to self-care, such as emotional, intellectual, occupational, spiritual, social, etc.
All of these aspects impact your life quality. Pampering gives you a much-desired break from everyday stress. It’s a chance to “escape” reality or be alone with your thoughts. The fact that you are putting yourself at “the center of the universe,” even for a short time, can also do wonders for your self-esteem and self-love.
How to Practice Self-Care
First and foremost, you need regular physical activity, as this is a crucial aspect of self-care. Exercising can do a lot for your metabolism, sleep, mood, and overall health.
Another essential part of pampering is skincare. There are a few skincare habits you can adopt for a better complexion and for showing your skin just how much you care about it (and yourself).
Furthermore, the practice of pampering can include taking occasional warm baths, getting a massage, visiting a spa, and the like.
Physical self-care includes eating a balanced diet packed with vitamins and minerals, proteins, and antioxidants.
As for the emotional side of self-care, it is a very individual matter. However, some of the usual aspects you should consider are talking to someone you trust about your feelings (family member, friend, or a therapist), listening to music, reading a book, doing something artistic, and getting enough “me time.”
A Checklist for Pampering Yourself
If you’re looking for some more immediate self-care practices, we’ve got you covered there. Here are some ideas for pampering:
- Get a facial
- Indulge in manicures and pedicures
- Buy new skincare products
- Treat yourself to a nice meal at a restaurant
- Take the afternoon off from work
- Use a face mask
- Use essential oils
- Meditate
- Go offline
- Practice gratitude
Final Word
So many people are in the habit of putting their needs last. We wrongly consider putting ourselves first to be selfish. If you’re feeling stressed out, if you lack self-esteem, or if your health is deteriorating, you won’t be able to help anyone. You deserve pampering. You deserve to have time just for yourself and your thoughts. And you deserve to love yourself. So, use our tips and follow your intuition when it comes to pampering methods and relaxing techniques.