It’s pretty obvious that most children know how to enjoy life. They seem to know exactly what they like and what they don’t. They also have no problem reaching out to the people close to them when they feel they need extra care and attention. Who knows, perhaps most adults wouldn’t be so stressed out if they pampered themselves like children more often.
Many people in today’s world are almost always on the move. Adults have been trained to believe that there is no end to the places that need to be visited and the things that need to be done. Activities that are done for enjoyment rather than work are often portrayed as clever ways to be lazy. However, studies show that the less time people spend focusing on self-care, the faster their physical and mental health deteriorates.
Medical and mental health professionals claim that an active lifestyle is essential for long term health. However, they also agree that people need sufficient time for relaxation, refreshment, and self-care. In this article we will highlight what self-care is and why you need to pamper yourself from time to time. Not only will it put you in a better mood in the present moment, it can also do wonders for your long term mental health.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care means spending the necessary time, attention, and resources on yourself so that you can be healthy and strong. Not only does self-care help you, it also benefits the people who live and work with you as you will be able to give everyone else your best effort. Taking some time to pamper yourself on occasion is a great way to relieve pent up stress. However, it is important to note that self-care is not the same as being self-centered, selfish, or self-indulgent.
How to Pamper Yourself
As strange as it may sound, many people these days appear to have forgotten how to pamper themselves. Some individuals may even feel intense guilt if they take a day or two away from work to focus on their own personal needs. As mentioned earlier, self-care is absolutely essential for long term physical, emotional, and mental health. It is also skill that should be honed over time so you can use it efficiently when you need it.
If you want to unwind and pamper yourself, it is important to surround yourself with things you love. So the first thing you need to do is make a list of all the people, objects, and events that make you feel good about life and yourself. Next you need to figure out which of those things you are able to put in place for your day or relaxation. If you aren’t sure what activities you can try, a few helpful options are below.
Options for Self-Care
Physical exercise and meditation are both excellent examples of healthy self-care practices. Physical exercise strengthens the muscles, promotes the release of feel-good hormones, and provides an excellent distraction from weighty matters that may be on a person’s mind. On the other hand, meditation promotes mental clarity and focus, while providing the muscles and opportunity to rest and release tension. When choosing effective self-care options, try to focus on activities that give your body and mind what they require. For example, you can:
- Take a journey on your own
Traveling on your own is a fantastic opportunity to get to know yourself better or see yourself from a different perspective. If you have the opportunity to travel to a different country, you can use your time there to build your appreciate for new sights, sounds, foods, cultures, and forms of entertainment. By taking advantage of car rental services in your destination of choice, you can easily go sightseeing on your own while remaining safe. If you happen to be in the United Arab Emirates, you could rent Lamborghini in Dubai to add a touch of pleasure and thrill to an unforgettable traveling experience.
- Go on a date with yourself
When was the last time you went to a cinema or a restaurant on your own? Treating yourself to an evening of good food and fun can do much to lighten a stressful day. If you don’t have the money for dinner or a movie, why not make yourself a great cup of coffee and savor the flavor slowly from the comfort of your home? If you prefer to go out, you can go window shopping at your favorite store and earmark a few things you can buy when you cash your next paycheck.
- Create a daily relaxation routine
Small healthy routines can change your life for the better. If you are the type of person who has a packed and structured schedule, you may be able to reduce your stress by bringing a bit of self-care into it each day. Consider including a few relaxing things that you can do every day that don’t require much time or effort. For example, if you are a morning person you may choose to wake up 30 minutes earlier for a morning run. Or if you are a night person, you may devote 30 minutes in the evening to reading a book, taking a hot bath with a cup of tea, or watching a movie. By following a healthy routine each day, you will create a few restful hours each week just for yourself.
- Take time out to sleep
Everyone knows that stress is bad for physical and mental health. As your stress levels increase, your adrenal glands will release an increasing amount of the stress hormone called cortisol. Chronic stress will lead to chronically high levels of cortisol, which contributes to the development of issues such as hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Chronic stress also has a significant negative impact on cognitive function and emotional health.
If you lead a stressful life, a great way to manage your stress is to get sufficient restful sleep. Restful sleep gives you an opportunity to rest and repair your muscles, forget about current problems, and refresh yourself for the following day. If you don’t think you are getting enough sleep there are a number of possible solutions you can try. Popular suggestions include going to bed earlier, wearing earmuffs or sleeping masks to reduce distracting sounds or lights, and reducing the amount of caffeine you consume each day.
Like most things in the world, people function best when they are balanced. So if you are spending too much time working, you may need to adjust your schedule to allow for more fulfilling personal pursuits. If you feel unable to manage your stress on your own, try talking about your issues with a close friend or family member. If talking to a loved one doesn’t seem to be working, it is recommended that you reach out to a licensed therapist in your area.
