Treat Yourself to Better Health with International Self-Care Day
Let’s be real, life can get pretty stressful. Between work, home life, families, friends, social gatherings and even daily errands, it can be challenging to keep everything in our lives organized and on-schedule. Not to mention, many of us are used to constantly moving, jumping from one activity to the next, so it’s hard to stop and take it all in. When we are hurrying through our daily activities, it is incredibly difficult to feel well-rested and healthy.
However taking the time to pause, even for 15 minutes, can be quite beneficial to your physical and mental health; alleviating some of that stress and burnt-out feelings that might be bubbling inside. That is you taking charge of your self-care. Self-care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness.
Managing your self-care can sometimes be a challenge. Especially living in a global pandemic, there is a lot more stress and anxiety in society just around the current unknown. Therefore, it is crucial to take this time and focus on your physical and mental wellbeing.
Today is International Self Care-Day, and we at Gravity invite you to invest in yourself by participating in self-care practices that will not only help you reset your mind and body, but also help you to stay happy and healthy. We are here to provide you with some self-care tips and tricks on how to celebrate you and your wellbeing:
1. Take Care of Your Body and Mind
Too often we are eating on the go, in front of the TV, or scarfing down a quick bite when we can. Try to be mindful when eating and follow a healthy diet; as research has shown that what you eat and don’t eat affects the way you think and feel.
Exercise has many health benefits, as it releases the body's feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It has been shown to also help decrease depression and anxiety while improving moods. So take that walk, go for a jog, or practice yoga! Your body will thank you.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Engaging in meditation and/or mindfulness will help you relax and can actually improve your state of mind and outlook on life. Do you like to write? Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts can be a mental release and your mind will feel lighter.
2. Focus on Activities You Love
Many times our days are filled with work, home and social obligations. But taking the time to do something you love, something you're passionate or curious about, can help relax your mind and bring about joy. Let your creativity flow and paint that picture that’s been in your head, or get outside and take pictures! Dance like there’s no one watching, take a bath. Like feeling organized? Declutter a space. Creating the time for these activities in both small spurts and longer stretches is an accomplishment in itself, so once you make the time select mindful activities that you enjoy.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Prioritizing sleep is the ultimate self-care goal. Sleep is an integral part of our lives, as it’s linked to your mood, mental health, productivity and workplace performance. Sleep is also linked to stress; the more stress we feel, the more trouble we have sleeping. Since sleep often sets the tone for the day, good or bad, setting yourself up for restful sleep each night to allow your body and mind time to rest and recover is a self-care method in itself.
Try to make a conscious effort to wind down an hour before bed, and work on setting up a relaxation routine to slow your mind down. Whether that’s drinking a cup of tea, taking a hot shower, or light TV viewing, do whatever feels right for you. Avoid late-night social media scrolling and try disconnecting from your phone for at least 30 minutes before bed.
Still having issues winding down? Try using a weighted blanket, such as the Gravity Blanket, which have been proven to naturally improve sleep as well as users’ physical and mental wellbeing. Gravity Blankets use a well-regarded scientific method called ‘deep touch pressure stimulation’, which simulates the feeling of being held or hugged, relaxing your nervous system in the process.
There are many other ways you can partake in self-care, and we encourage you to find what works best for you. Take that leap, focus on your mental wellbeing, and don’t forget to give yourself some wins - eat that ice cream, take a midday nap, have that glass of wine - 2020 has been challenging for us all, so you deserve it!
