Self-care has become one of the most defining terms of the past five years. As more and more people have sought to reclaim their busy lives and center in on their health and well-being, self-care has risen to prominence in a way that has never been seen before. Here are some self-care fundamentals you can enjoy every day.
Intro to Self-Care Fundamentals
Despite this widespread acknowledgment of the benefits of self-care, some people have yet to truly make a switch and embrace what self-care can offer them. One of the most common reasons for this is concerns about time. Often, self-care is described in terms that make it sound very time consuming — take the night off, go to a spa, read one book per week — and, sadly, some people just don’t have the free time available to allow for those behaviors.
Thankfully, there are ways and means of embracing self-care without having to sacrifice half of your diary to the endeavor. Self-care, at its most basic, is about improving every day of your life in small, but noticeable and beneficial, ways. Below, you’ll find a few ideas for self-care fundamentals that can help give you the boost you need to finally be able to embrace self-care once and for all.
Use Basic Products That Bring You Joy
There are some things in life that we have to do every day, without fail— so why not make them as pleasant as possible? By choosing products that you use on a daily basis that genuinely make you happy, there’s a little moment of joy in even the simplest of functions. For example, choose your favorite fragrance for your bath melts, a softer towel to use to dry your hair after a shower, or a cute notepad to record your to-do list in. These little touches allow you to make even the most mundane of daily tasks that little more special. In so small a way that you wouldn’t even notice it from the outside, these are incremental improvements that will make your life better.
Go To Bed Earlier Than Normal
Sleep is perhaps the ultimate when it comes to self-care. We are all able to be the very best versions of ourselves when we have slept well, so “treating yourself” to an earlier bedtime can feel indulgent and luxurious, and have significant benefits for both your health and your mood. Take the time to ensure that your bed is as comfortable and welcoming as possible, too; opt for beautiful cotton pillowcases and use a latex mattress as a comfort layer so delightful you’ll actively look forward to collapsing into bed every night!
Talk About Nothing Of Importance
When was the last time you spoke to someone about… nothing? Just idly chatted about things that were going on in the world, a shared hobby, or just observations about your lives? For many of us, the last time we spoke to a loved one for no specific reason is a very long time ago— our conversations are usually expected to be more productive, making decisions and discussing particular issues. Make a little time to talk with a friend, via text message or email if necessary, about nothing in particular. Just relax and natter with one another, enjoy each other’s company, and not feeling like there’s something to be accomplished from the conversation. Sometimes, talking about nothing at all can be one of the most rewarding things you can possibly do.
Laugh More
Laughing is inherently good for us; the more we laugh, the better we feel. Interestingly, the laughter doesn’t have to be genuine— fake laughter produces the same mood-boosting effects as genuine laughter. To make the most of this odd biological quirk, set aside five minutes in the day to laugh to yourself about nothing at all— you’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel. Concerned you’ll feel self-conscious if someone overhears you laughing to yourself? Don’t worry: do your daily laughing in the shower, as the water should drown out your faux mirth.
By taking the time to engage with these self-care fundamentals, you have made important inroads that can genuinely benefit your life. You can use these fundamentals as a starting point for greater development of self-care, or — if you really don’t have the time for more — you can see these as a baseline that will help establish your happiness every day of your life.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
