psychology
These simple self-care strategies cost nothing and go a long way
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Self-care isn’t just an expensive massage when everything gets too much. Instead, try these simple tips – which don’t cost a cent.
Unfortunately, the term self-care is now used in a very inflationary way. From bubble baths to chocolate massacres to near-toxic behavior (“I’m not replying to this message because it’s not good for me”), pretty much everything is sold under the guise of self-care.
True self-care is not always pleasant and certainly not always the most convenient way. Rather, it’s about tackling and doing things that we might not feel like doing right now – but that will help and be good for us in the long term.
Because we don’t pay close attention to our needs, don’t respect our boundaries and don’t make our lifestyle (mostly) healthy and balanced, a massage won’t help us. If you really want to do something for yourself, these self-care tips can help. Best of all, they’re completely free!
Self-care strategies that cost nothing and really help you move forward
1. Build a healthy morning routine
Even if it may sound like toxic optimization madness at first glance, a healthy morning routine helps you start the day relaxed. It’s not about cramming in an hour-long workout every morning and meal prep for the entire week, it’s simply about scheduling enough time to start the day without stress. Because if we press the snooze button three times, then rush into the nearest pair of jeans and run out the door without breakfast, we’re guaranteed to be stuck in this stressed mood all day long.
What exactly you want or can do in the morning and in what time frame is of course up to you. Find out what’s good for you. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether reading is reading, having breakfast in peace, meditating or simply looking out the window. The main thing is that you have enough time for the things that help you start the day positively and that you don’t have to stress and panic just 15 minutes after getting up.
2. Answering messages as relationship maintenance
We’re back to the example from the beginning of the text: Of course, we don’t have to answer every message – whether professional or private – within seconds. But in order to cultivate successful relationships, we also need to show our counterparts a certain level of respect and appreciation. And yes, this also includes answering SMS, WhatsApp or emails. Not immediately, but within a reasonable time frame, which of course also depends on what the conversation is about.
Sometimes everything becomes too much for us and we simply can’t afford to spend time and energy on interpersonal communication. This is of course completely understandable, and everyone is probably familiar with such situations. But self-care also includes maintaining relationships, because without our social network it will be difficult in the long term. Besides, it’s also a very satisfying feeling to check an item off your to-do list instead of having those nasty red smartphone notifications hanging over you like a sword of Damocles, right?
3. Keep things tidy
There are people who are naturally neat and organized, and then there are others who find this very difficult. But no matter what personality type we are in this regard, living in chaos is not good for anyone. Of course, there can be a book on the table or the sweater from the day before hanging over the back of a chair. But mountains of laundry that pile up for weeks and dishes that pile up and pile up because we just don’t feel like doing housework – this form of Procrastination has nothing to do with self-care.
Instead, you’ll do yourself a favor if you complete the unpleasant care tasks as quickly as possible. Then you will not only feel more comfortable in your four walls, but you will also have more time for things that you enjoy – for example a bubble bath.
Source used: healthline.com