Self-care: 8 tips for more well-being

Self Care: What Do I Need It For?

Pay attention to others and take care of others – most of us are used to that. For many of us, helpfulness and care are a matter of course. But only when it comes to our fellow human beings. You always have comforting words and nice gestures ready for a friend. But when it comes to ourselves, we're more likely to nag and punish ourselves. We don't deserve ourselves the care we give to others? Definitely!

Here comes the so-called Self care in the game. It teaches us to take care of our own physical and emotional well-being. True to the motto: Treat yourself like you would treat your best friend! By caring for ourselves more, we strengthen our own self-esteem. And in this way we effectively protect ourselves from self-doubt and inferiority complexes that damage our well-being in the long term.

Self-care: isn't that too self-centered?

I'm supposed to fondle myself – isn't that pretty self-enamored? Granted, self-care can feel awkward at first. But not because it is wrong – we are just not used to itto pay so much attention to ourselves. You touch others too, why not yourself? Equal rights for all!

To internalize this attitude, it takes a little rethink. Self-care is not about putting your ego above everything else. We rather learn To take personal responsibilityby taking care of ourselves. As a result, we ask less of others and become more balanced and independent.

Think of it this way: You take care of yourself so that you can also be better there for others. Who can we help if the batteries are simply empty? Self-care gives you Power, positivity and self-confidence. Not only you benefit from this, but also those around you.

Strategy 1: improve the quality of your sleep

Take care of yourself – it starts with the basic needs, especially the night's rest. We cannot feel comfortable in our skin if we constantly go to bed late, wake up exhausted and drag ourselves through the day. So make sure you have a good quality of sleep so that you are physically fit and have a good start to the day.

A good night's sleep requires the following:

Strategy 2: plan more me-time

Sometimes we care so much about others that we forget ourselves. In everyday life we ​​should therefore be careful not to miss out. And if it's only 30 minutes: Take this time to do something just for you. You could treat yourself to a little beauty routine, do yoga, watch your favorite series without the distractions, or pursue a hobby. These I-time reminds you daily that your wellbeing is important. And that is extremely good for your self-esteem.

Strategy 3: take care of your body

"We have to be good to our body so that the soul feels like living in it!" That's a nice saying. Taking care of ourselves also means that we should take care of our bodies. For example, we can ask ourselves:

Not only our emotional well-being is important – our physical well-being must not be neglected either. The absolute basics Diet and exercise, so we shouldn't neglect it. Your body is your engine – so be good to it! Positive side effect: If we take care of our body more, our attitude towards it also improves.

Strategy 4: Learn to say no

We are at your side with words and deeds when your best friend is lovesick, we help a neighbor with the move, and we step in when the colleague needs help. Unfortunately, we sometimes get lost in the problems and concerns of our fellow human beings – and fall by the wayside ourselves. Self-care also means to protect oneself from being overwhelmed. Even if it is hard – Saying no is part of it! Otherwise, at the end of the day, you won't have the time or the strength to take care of yourself. Not only do we need compassion for others, but also for our own situation.

By the way: Here we have revealed how you can learn to say no.

Strategy 5: Maintain a good work-life balance

Sometimes we get so lost in our work goalsthat we neglect our free time. Working until late in the evening and getting up early in the morning – that changes your mind in the long run. We then struggle with fatigue, indolence and feeling unbalanced. That is why we urgently need to ensure a good work-life balance. Even if we live in a performance-oriented society that keeps us constantly on our toes: We don't just live for work! Make sure you have enough regeneration phases, otherwise the constant work pressure can catapult you into burnout.

Have you heard of it? Newer concepts consider so-called work-life blending to be even more relevant than the classic work-life balance.

Strategy 6: Train your self worth

With a solid self-esteem, the daily self-care dose is much easier. Then we are no longer ashamed to plan time for ourselves. On the contrary: we celebrate the minutes in which we stand up for ourselves.

You can build up your self-esteem graduallyby doing something every day that makes you feel good. Some may write a gratitude diary in which we can specifically train positivity. Others hear a podcast that inspires and motivates. Whatever it is, train yourself to be good to yourself, and self-care will become easier every day.

Strategy 7: open up

An important human need is the desire for Exchange with others. Personal interactions shouldn't be neglected in your self-care program. We are not made to go through life all alone. We need supporters to whom we can open upso that we don't have to overcome life's hurdles all by ourselves. Self-care also includes taking care of Getting care from other people. Because then we feel seen and valued.

Sometimes in life it happens that friends move away and the relationship ends – then suddenly you feel very alone. But even in these situations you can meet the need for empathy and care. Get active yourself for this – For example, look for like-minded people online who give you the feeling of camaraderie and support.

Strategy 8: Create a beautiful environment

Isn't it a nice feeling to live in a home where you really feel comfortable? Getting up in the morning and groping into chaos – that is definitely not so pleasant and does not put you in a good mood. You have the right to live in a beautiful home – be it the penthouse apartment or a nice room in a shared apartment. Make your surroundings beautiful: decorate it, design it according to your taste, give it a touch of individuality. This can be a real happiness booster that has a positive effect on your well-being.

You can also find more topics related to satisfaction, well-being and personal development in the BRIGITTE Community. Have a look!