When things are hard at work, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Life can be stressful, but you deserve a break. We want to take the stress off your plate, so here’s a list of self-care tips—because you’re worth it.
Get Plenty of Sleep
It sounds simple, but take a minute to think about your sleeping schedule, are you getting enough rest? We’re all guilty of having late-night social media binges or working on our laptops late into the night. But if this becomes a habit, you’ll start to feel the consequences. When you get enough rest, your mood will improve and you’ll feel better throughout the day. We know it’s tough, but it’s important to get a full eight hours of sleep a night.
Eat to Nourish Your Body
Everything is good in moderation, so make sure you’re eating consistent, nourishing meals. Skipping dinner because you’re working too hard deprives your body of food, and food is fuel. When you feel the hunger coming on, figure out what you’re craving—and enjoy!
Get Creative
Making something is a great way to decompress. You don’t have to be Picasso to make a painting! Get your hands dirty; whether it be gardening, painting, baking, or whatever other creative task interests you, staying in touch with your creative side is a great way to destress.
Move Your Body
Exercise makes you happier. Move at your own pace, it’s important to get moving, regardless of your skill level. A simple walk will work wonders for your mental health, so put on a podcast and get out there! You’ll feel better when you’re done.
Pull out the Board Games
We know it sounds a little silly, but playing a game of Connect Four with your best friend is a fun way to decrease stressors. It’s probably not every day you play Scrabble or Monopoly, so call up the people that mean the most to you. Don’t get too competitive and have fun!
Decrease Your Caffeine Intake
We know you don’t like this one, and we admit, coffee keeps us going too. But, like we mentioned before, everything is good in moderation. If you find yourself relying on caffeine a little too much, switch to decaf. You don’t want the jitters and anxiety from having too much coffee!
Talk to Yourself Kindly
When things get stressful, it’s easy to get inside our own heads. Instead of getting down on ourselves and thinking about the negative things, try practicing positive affirmations. Remind yourself about all things that you like about yourself. We think you’re really great, so make sure you give yourself credit!
Listen to Music that Makes You Happy
If you find yourself stressed out, take a second to blast your favorite song. Nothing will make you smile more than a quick dance party to a beloved jam. It won’t take long for your mood to increase if you follow this simple tip.
Take a Meditation Break
There are lots of apps that make meditation easy, so download an app that can guide you through the meditation process. It’s proven that short and frequent meditation sessions improve your mental health. So, take five minutes to meditate, you’re worthy of that time.
Give Someone a Hug
We all want affection, so if you’re feeling down, give someone a hug. Whether it be a friend, a partner, a parent, a dog, or your favorite stuffed animal—we know you’re hanging onto it—giving someone you care about a hug is a perfect way to ground yourself. Connection is important, so take a moment to hug someone.
The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, think about these tips. We care about you, so it’s important that you care about you, too!