psychology
These simple self-care strategies cost nothing and make a lot
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Self-care isn’t just an expensive massage when it all gets too much. Try these simple tips instead – and they don’t cost a penny.
Unfortunately, the term self-care is now being used in a very inflationary way. From bubble baths to chocolate massacres to near-toxic behavior (“I’m not responding to this message now 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 comfortable way. Rather, it’s about tackling and doing things that we might not feel like doing right now – but that help and do us good in the long term.
Because we don’t pay close attention to our needs, don’t respect our limits and don’t make our lifestyle (predominantly) healthy and balanced, a massage doesn’t help us either. If you really want to do something for yourself, these self-care tips can help. Best of all: They are completely free!
Self-care strategies that cost nothing and really get you ahead
1. Build a healthy morning routine
Even if it may sound like toxic optimization mania at first glance – a healthy morning routine helps you to start the day relaxed. It’s not about fitting in an hour-long workout every morning and meal prep for the entire week, it’s simply about allowing enough time to start the day stress-free. Because if we press the snooze button three times, then rush into the next best pair of jeans and run out the door without breakfast, we are guaranteed not to get rid of this stressed mood all day long.
What exactly you want or can do in the morning and in which time frame is of course up to you. Find out what is good for you. In the end it doesn’t matter whether it’s reading, having a quiet breakfast, meditation or just looking out the window. The main thing is that you have enough time for the things that help you to start the day positively and don’t have to get stressed and panic 15 minutes after getting up.
2. Answer messages as relationship maintenance
Here we are again with the example from the beginning of the text: Of course we don’t have to answer every message within seconds – regardless of whether it’s professional or private. But in order to cultivate successful relationships, we must also show a certain amount of respect and appreciation to our counterpart. 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 it all gets to be too much for us, and we just don’t manage to spend time and energy on interpersonal communication. This is of course absolutely understandable, and everyone is certainly familiar with such situations. But self-care also includes cultivating relationships, because without our social network it will be difficult in the long term. Besides, it’s also a very satisfying feeling to check off an item from the to-do list instead of having those nasty red smartphone notifications hovering over you like a sword of Damocles, isn’t it?
3. Maintain order
There are people who are naturally neat and organized, and then there are others who find it 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 piling up for weeks and dishes piling up and piling up because we just don’t feel like doing housework—this form of procrastination has nothing to do with self-care.
Instead, you are doing yourself a favor if you complete the unpleasant care tasks as quickly as possible. Then you not only feel more comfortable in your own four walls, but also have more time for things that you enjoy – for example a bubble bath.
Source used: healthline.com