Self Care Tips from a Amateur

Y'all. This is a tough topic for me. The thing is, I'm not good at self care.

But I do believe taking care of our bodies and minds is truly important (though so often neglected.) It is vital to be good stewards of our bodies. Therefore, today, I bring you Self Care Tips from a Amateur (me!)

1. Breathe 

Just. Breathe.
When you feel the stress coming on, take a moment and do some deep breathing. Hold it in for four seconds, then blow air out for four seconds. There are so many benefits to deep breathing but one of them is it lowers your blood pressure and decreases stress.

2. Positive thoughts

Thoughts are so important to mental health. Thoughts--what we allow into our minds--can either make us or break us. When we allow negative thoughts to take us captive, we will become angry and depressed. But if we turn our thoughts around, we have the ability to also turn our frown upside down. It's all in how we look at things.

With positive thinking, "I hate doing the dishes," turns into, "I glad for the ability to wash dishes, and I'm glad for the food that was eaten off these dishes, and I'm glad for the health that the food provided my family."

You get the point. And I think everyone already knows how good positive thoughts can effect us. So why is it so hard to actually practice? I don't know, but I do know that the more we practice positive thoughts, the more we will get accustomed to thinking in positive ways instead of falling into the negative thought patterns.

3. Workout

Not only are you caring for your body when you workout, but you are also channeling some energy into something that will make you feel productive and so much stronger!
But workout the smart way, don't go and hurt your body by trying to lift too much. Work your way up to your goals. And if you need any workout advice, comment below!

4. Shower

Just take a shower. (Preferably after your workout...) Keeping a clean appearance is not only great for the people who are around you, but also one of the best forms of self care!

5. Eat your greens & stay hydrated 

What we put into our bodies as fuel is extremely important. My family has found this out the hard way, and eating a healthy lifestyles has been the ultimate struggle of hopping on and off the healthy eating "wagon."

Greens, berries, and grains are some of the amazing power foods for heart health.
It's recommended 2 cups raw greens, or 1 cup cooked for a daily serving. Recommended 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries, or 1/4 cup dried for a daily serving.

Also, drink your water! It's recommended that you get half of your body weight in ounces.

(Remember, self care is loving yourself enough to take care of your health.)

6. Take free time

When I was a kid, I'd make detailed schedules for my day (most likely, they never got fully completed because my time slots were pretty non flexible, lol.) But, I'd always put "free time" after my schoolwork was done.
And now, I realize that "free time" is actually a great form of self care. Throughout your busy day, give yourself a recess every once in awhile. Take 15, 30, or 60 minutes of just plain free time. Give yourself a break. Set your timer and do whatever you like doing in free time, then get back to work. Free time allows you to recharge for the remainder of you day.

7. Declutter your space

Trust me, you'll feel so much better! And you'll sleep better too! Tidy the house, clean your bathroom, make your bed, sweep the floor, all the while rocking out to some oldies while you do so! Keeping your living space free from clutter is a huge task, but one that is worth it once things are put in order. It's best to take time each day and do something to declutter. Otherwise, it can get overwhelming.

8. Do something fun

Sometimes, you just need to do something that is fun. Something that makes you excited. Something that brings you happiness. Pamper yourself. Do something creative.
If all you do is work, work, work. That is not good self care at all...

9. Fresh air

Get outside. Do yourself a favor and get some Vitamin D. Soak up that sunshine and breath in that fresh air. Go for a walk, get the mail, go for a four wheeler ride, explore the woods. Garden, mow the lawn, play volleyball. Just do something that requires you to go outside and enjoy nature!

10. Read your Bible

I'm awful at this form of self care. But just because I'm awful at this, doesn't mean I can't try my best to get better at reading my Bible. Make time for Bible reading (and not just reading, but studying) because that connection you make with Jesus is going to get you through your day.

How do you care for yourself? Do you have any more Self Care tips to add to my list? Comment below with one thing you like to do in your "free time"!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse