Self-care often gets lost in the shuffle. We’re constantly pouring energy into our work, family, and friends. Things we need to do for ourselves are placed lower on the priority list.
The longer you go on like this, the more you’ll wear yourself down. People can go on for years getting minimal sleep, not eating well or checking in with themselves. Ultimately, it will catch up to you and take a toll on your health.
The choices you make now have long-lasting effects. It’s time to start treating yourself better, and we’ll show you how.
1. Dental Care
You only get one set of teeth, so it’s important to take care of them. It’s time to recommit to the following rules:
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Finish it off with mouthwash.
- Lower your intake of sugary and acidic foods.
- Check throughout the day to make sure you aren’t clenching your teeth. This causes erosion if it goes unchecked.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year- more if possible.
If your teeth have suffered significant damage already, there is still hope. There is cosmetic dentistry available for you.
2. Take Care of Yourself Emotionally
Your mental and physical health are inextricably tied. This is why you need mental health days.
Emotional well-being is also about what you don’t do. Think back to the saying “no is a complete sentence.” If you have too much on your plate, it will lead to burnout. Your instinct is to try to help everyone, but this piles up your workload endlessly.
Cut this down with one trick. When someone asks you for a favor, wait for 30 minutes to respond. By that time, they will most likely have already resolved the issue.
3. Look After Your Diet
It’s time to dust off the food pyramid. When necessary foods are neglected, you deprive yourself of nutrients.
Bring more vegetables and herbs into your diet. This doesn’t have to be a chore. There are ways you can spice them to make them taste wonderful. Look through various cooking recipes and TV shows and find a few you like. This can become a hobby!
Potato chips and pie are a wonderful treat, but that’s what they should be. They taste good, but they don’t have nutritional value.
4. Get Your Body Moving
A body that never moves becomes unhealthy. It’ll be harder to get up the stairs or walk long distances. You’ll have a general lack of energy and be more susceptible to illness.
Make time to work out as many days of the week as possible. Find something you enjoy, so it won’t be something you have to force yourself to do. Get a buddy to make it more enjoyable as well as keep you accountable.
5. Keep Your Environment Clean
Cleaning is no one’s idea of a good time, but it must be done. If you don’t, it becomes a health risk.
It comes down to the little things. When dishes start piling up, wash them. If a surface looks dirty, take a minute to wipe it. If you see clutter, reorganize it. These little things add up to a much cleaner space.
Finally, always keep up with your floors. Run through them with a broom every few days. Give them a deep cleaning every two to three weeks.
Welcome to Your New Healthier Life
Your body and mind are the instruments you navigate the world with. They need to be taken care of.
You don’t have to do a complete upheaval of your life to be healthier. It’s those little changes in habit that will make all the difference.
