Making sure you take good care of your body, mind, and soul, is an act of kindness not just to yourself but to your family. Here are 14 ways you can practice self-care.
Spring is here! It’s time for us to brighten up from the long winter gloom.
Spring for most people means cleaning out the closet and swapping the cold winter jackets for more colorful and lighter clothes.
Nature shows us that spring is more than changing what is in your closet, the flowers bloom, and everything brightens up as if to signify a new beginning, rebirth, a time for something new to grow.
Coincidentally, we celebrate Easter in a few weeks.
Some say that Easter originated from an Anglo-Saxon Goddess who symbolized rebirth, while others will be celebrating the resurrection, which could also be a form of rebirth.
Here at dailyzens, we encourage you to look at spring and Easter as a period of inspiration and rebirth for yourself.
These self-care tips will help if you commit to practicing them.
Mind and Emotions
Make Alone Time
An essential part of your rebirth is making time for yourself.
I know you might have done that all winter, and you cannot wait to get out there and spend time with family and friends, but hear me out.
Spring is a time to let go of the negative emotions you have been carrying around, to do that you need that “me time,” journal and drop everything on paper.
You can’t feel relaxed and focused if you’re continually carrying all of your negative thoughts and feelings around in your head.
Dedicate a few minutes a day to journaling; you will feel lighter and maybe happier.
Meditation
If I had superpowers, I would make the whole world mediate! Seriously it has changed my life.
Anyway, if you’re not intimidated by thoughts or feeling negative emotions, then I suggest taking that “me time” a step further and meditate.
I have found the practice very powerful in releasing negative emotions and giving you a boost in the mood if combined with journaling.
If you are new to meditation you begin here.
Reflect on your goals
Another addition to the me-time should be time for reflection. I know you set new year resolutions at the beginning of the year, are you keeping up with them?
Are you still committed? Or are you going to let this be yet another year of unfulfilled goals?
Gratitude
Have you ever had an entitled friend who never says thank you but keeps coming back to you to take some more? You probably don’t like him or her very much.
Nature feels the same when we live in a state of entitlement, demanding the universe owes us and should give us more, all the while never pausing to say thank you for what we already have.
In fact, a scientific study of nearly 300 people showed that the participants who wrote gratitude letters were happier and reported significantly better mental health12 weeks after their writing exercise compared to those who wrote negative experiences.
In short, you’ll be much happier if you make gratitude a part of your “me time.”
Home and Environment
Clearing your mind is not enough; your environment is an extension of yourself that needs rebirth too.
Let the Fresh Air In
Have you noticed that everyone’s home smells different? Wouldn’t it be awesome if your home had the fresh aroma of spring? That is why you should open the windows and let the fresh air in.
Nobody likes that stuffy house smell, especially one that has been closed for four months.
Regularly opening your windows for a few minutes a day will give your home a fresh scent.
Give Your Home A Fresh Smell
Essential oils are excellent natural alternatives to commercial air fresheners to make your house smell great while giving you a beneficial boost of aromatherapy.
You can also invest in a good essential oil diffuser to keep your house smelling good throughout the day.
Lavender, Neroli, and sandalwood are my favorite spring essentials.
Declutter and Create Space
Clutter affects us psychologically; it can leave you feeling distracted and irritable.
Decluttering your home of things that you no longer use is a great way to lift your mood and create space for fresh new energy.
Go through the entire house, throwing away everything you no longer use, outdated documents, clothes, books, shoes, and electronics.
Alternatively, you can hold a garage sale of everything you no longer need if you are serious about this rebirth thing or give it to charity.
Once your house is clean and clutter-free, add the finishing touches with some beautiful fresh-cut flowers.
Body
After months of cuddling up to your favorite blanket, eating comfort food, and spending your free time binge-watching Netflix, your body needs a reset.
Get Out in Nature
Start spending time in nature, ride a bike, or take a walk whenever possible.
Thirty minutes a day is all your body needs; not only will this get your blood flowing, but it will also be a great way to calm your mind and gain clarity.
Furthermore, try walking to a direction you usually wouldn’t take (with caution, of course).
The bright flowers and leaves will make you feel alive, and soon you’ll start to feel more creative and inspired.
Additionally, walking is can be an excellent way to lose weight in time for summer.
Body Detox
If you have been indulging in comfort food, now is the time to let go of the guilt. Let bygones be bygones.
A body detox can help reset your overall health; you can get a 30-day guide for free here.
But for those in a hurry, begin with a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning.
Follow that up with a smoothie; the glowing green smoothie by Kimberly Synder is my favorite.
For two weeks stay away from carbs and processed foods, your diet should be 70% Vegetables and 30% protein.
You will lose enough weight in the first two weeks to motivate you to continue.
Follow up with a clean diet
In addition to the detox, following up with a clean diet is essential for a clear mind, increased energy, glowing skin, and weight loss.
If you have no idea what to eat without craving processed food, check out our free 30-day guide as well.
The free guide will help you understand your body and what foods you should eat as well as what to avoid.
Tongue Crapping
According to Ayurveda principles, all digestion begins with the tongue.
If you leave food stains and bacteria on the tongue, they become apart of your digestion, which is unfavorable for your gut health.
Therefore, it is essential to add tongue scraping to your oral health routine. You can get a tongue scraper here.
Dry Skin Brushing
Dry brushing your body is excellent for exfoliating. It also helps cleanse the body by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow.
Additionally, dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process and stimulates your nervous system, which can make you feel refreshed afterward.
You can get one here.
Relationships
Relationships play a significant role in our wellbeing, maintaining good relations with yourself, and others will leave you feeling happier.
Forgiveness
If you’re holding on to any anger or resentment, now is an excellent time to let it go. It’s not worth it.
Let Go of the Need for Approval
Learning to value the opinion you have of yourself above all others is the greatest act of self-care.
So, let go of what others think of you this spring, let other people’s opinions of you wither away with the winter gloom.
Practice these self-care tips religiously, and you will eventually feel re-energized and inspired to take on the rest of the year.
What is your favorite self-care practice? Let us know in the comment section below.
Lots of love,
Sania
Dailyzens.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.