Here’s How To: Focus on Self-Care
Step 1: Find out what makes you happy. Self-care is individual. So don’t think about what makes others happy, instead, look at your daily activities and determine which ones help you feel your best.
Step 2: Add these activities to your calendar. Yes, they need to be planned in advance or otherwise, you’ll think you don’t have time for them. Make sure to put all the special events that will make you happy into the calendar as well – in ink!
Step 3: Sneak in a bit of self-care here and there if you get a chance. While it’s important to have a plan for practicing self-care, it is equally important to fit in little moments of relaxation and happiness spontaneously.
Step 4: Check-in with yourself regularly to see if anything in your routine needs to be changed. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself uncomfortable questions like “Does he/she make me happy?”, “Do I like spending time with this person?”, “Am I working too much?”… And remember, sometimes we forget to ask ourselves the most obvious questions, too, like “Am I tired?”, “Do I need to take a nap”, “Am I happy?”.
(One thing that can help you understand yourself better and discover what is holding you back from being truly happy, is taking this free test here).
Go for quality, not quantity. Even though you may like watching TV, and can spend several hours doing that, aren’t there other things that would be better for you?
You will find it helpful to write these self-care ideas and activities down. Or, even better, make some index cards for yourself to organize your thoughts and make a plan.
Here is what such an index card can look like (more examples of inspiration below).
8 Ways To Practice Self-Care Every Day.
1. Be Grateful For Your Body
It’s easy to focus on the aspects of your appearance that you’d like to change or that you worry aren’t seen as attractive, but try shifting your focus to the things that you do like.
Write down a list of attributes that have drawn compliments from others, whether these compliments relate to aesthetics or functionality.
For example, you might get lots of compliments on your sparkling green eyes, but your strong legs might also be the envy of friends who can’t run as fast as you can.
2. Accept That It Can Be Okay To Say “No”
While using the Law of Attraction as an effective tool requires a willingness to leap at new opportunities and be more open-minded about what can bring you happiness, you shouldn’t do so at the expense of your well-being.
If you’re taking on so many commitments that you’re left feeling exhausted, it’s time to start prioritizing. Whether you decline an invitation permanently or simply take a raincheck, saying “no” is sometimes exactly what your body needs.
3. Take A Break
If you’re passionate about your job (and perhaps even constantly working to climb the career ladder), you might begrudge the idea of taking a vacation. However, if you don’t take breaks from work, not only are you not taking care of yourself properly but you’re also eventually going to undermine your performance at work.
Save up and make time for a trip out of town—whether it’s to go to another country for two weeks or just to the countryside for a weekend.
Save up and make time for a trip out of town—whether it’s to go to another country for two weeks or just to the countryside for a weekend.
In addition to making you feel like you don’t have time for a vacation, having a hectic life can also give you a sense that you need to let your passions slide.
However, if you want to be the most vibrant and happy person you can, there absolutely has to be space for your favorite hobbies. Consider setting aside an hour a week that is only ever to be used for those hobbies.
People with busy lives can often forget just how valuable self-reflection can be. If you don’t spend time thinking about how you’re feeling about what you’re doing each day, you risk losing touch with what you really want from life (and reduce the chances you’ll feel grateful for all the good things in life).
However, if you want to be the most vibrant and happy person you can, there absolutely has to be space for your favorite hobbies. Consider setting aside an hour a week that is only ever to be used for those hobbies.
People with busy lives can often forget just how valuable self-reflection can be. If you don’t spend time thinking about how you’re feeling about what you’re doing each day, you risk losing touch with what you really want from life (and reduce the chances you’ll feel grateful for all the good things in life).
If you have 10-15 minutes of free time a day, then you have time to keep a journal. You don’t need to wax lyrically for pages and pages—just a concise review of what happened in your day and how you’re feeling can help you understand your life’s narrative and get a better sense of your needs.
6. Respond To Your Environment
The right ways to practice self-care will shift and evolve with the seasons. For example, if your body is feeling cold and tense in the winter months, the perfect antidote might be reading by a warm fire or taking a really long bubble bath with a favorite book.
In contrast, tending to your needs in the warmer months might focus more on enjoying time in nature, and on cooling down with ice-cold smoothies or a dip in the pool. Look at the weather, the temperature and your current location, and work out what you need in response to your conditions.
In contrast, tending to your needs in the warmer months might focus more on enjoying time in nature, and on cooling down with ice-cold smoothies or a dip in the pool. Look at the weather, the temperature and your current location, and work out what you need in response to your conditions.
7. Attune Your Focus To the Present
Anyone who knows about the Law of Attraction is probably already making an effort to incorporate forms of mindfulness into their life. For example, perhaps you’ve been using basic breathing exercises to get your mind into the right zone for creative visualization.
However, it isn’t just meditative activities that can help you tune into (and appreciate) the present. Spend time listening to your favorite music, keep up with hobbies that help you feel fully in tune with your body (such as swimming or cycling).
8. Laugh
Finally, never underestimate the medicinal benefits of laughter! It releases a flood of feel-good endorphins that boost your mood and help you to relax.
Consequently, a key part of taking care of yourself is deliberately seeking out the things that amuse you—hilarious friends, great comedies, and memories of old anecdotes that prompt a chuckle every time you recall them.
Consequently, a key part of taking care of yourself is deliberately seeking out the things that amuse you—hilarious friends, great comedies, and memories of old anecdotes that prompt a chuckle every time you recall them.
REF: http://www.thelawofattraction.com/8-ways-to-practice-self-care-every-day/
** Of course, we in the Laughter Community already know, there is no don't need humor or outside stimuli to laugh everyday for better health and a happier world. Below are more ideas on how to self-care regularly.
** Of course, we in the Laughter Community already know, there is no don't need humor or outside stimuli to laugh everyday for better health and a happier world. Below are more ideas on how to self-care regularly.
101 Self-Care Ideas
- go to your favorite workout class
- do 5 minutes of deep breathing
- snuggle your dog/cat
- give someone a hug
- take a bath
- make a cup of herbal tea
- read a book
- give yourself a manicure/pedicure
- get a message
- get a facial
- give yourself a facial massage
- do a face mask
- take a walk
- turn your phone off
- call your best friend
- light some candles & gentle music
- do an at-home yoga video
- meditate
- trade a foot rub with your partner (or roommate/kiddo)
- buy yourself a fancy candle
- leaving work early for a yoga class
- take a 10-minute work break & get outside
- do some light stretching at your desk
- eat your lunch/dinner away from screens
- Pay that extra $ for a kombucha or almond milk latte
- Curl up with a blanket and Netflix
- buy yourself a bouquet of flowers
- ask your kids (or partner!) to give you a back massage
- watch inspirational videos/following inspirational people online
- chop veggies/make dinner to music you love
- journal
- pour yourself some hot coffee & read the newspaper in silence
- choose healthy foods that will energize you
- buy yourself a pass to a fun fitness class
- do something creative you love
- make yourself a green smoothie (or juice)
- cook a new recipe
- bake a batch of cookies (or brownies, or cupcakes, or whatever you love)
- say “no” to something (or someone)
- unfollow people who make you feel bad about yourself
- follow 5 new inspiring accounts on Instagram
- repeat a mantra
- take yourself on a solo date
- splurge on a natural skincare product
- enjoy something sweet without regret
- make a gratitude list
- make a dreams list
- dry brush your skin
- find a new podcast to listen to
- have a girls night IN
- make yourself a kombucha “cocktail” or herbal infusion drink
- try a new exercise class
- chew your food slowly and enjoy every single bite
- try a new restaurant
- make a superfood hot chocolate
- go to bed 30 minutes early
- sleep in (don't set your alarm)
- stay IN on a Friday night
- take a whole day to do nothing
- buy a new plant
- make a Pinterest board of inspiring quotes
- hang some new pictures
- find something that makes you laugh (like a deep belly laugh)
- buy yourself some flowers (or pick them!)
- dance in your living room
- watch the sunset (or sunrise)
- take a nap
- explore a new hobby
- sunbathe
- book a weekend getaway
- go to a new museum
- find something free to do in your city or town
- meet a friend for coffee/tea
- try acupuncture
- do a closet purge (and donate what doesn't bring you joy anymore)
- smile at a stranger on the street
- go on a picnic
- learn a new language
- drink more water
- volunteer for a cause you care about
- stay in your PJ's all morning
- do a puzzle
- go for a hike
- make a playlist of songs that motivate (and uplift) you
- take a sick day
- eat some dark chocolate
- have a glass of your favorite wine
- de-clutter a space in your home
- try a type of cuisine you've never tasted
- add something new to your grocery list
- give someone else a compliment
- diffuse essential oils
- make your favorite comfort food and enjoy every bite
- sweat it out in a sauna/hot yoga/hot pilates/etc.
- sit outside for 15 minutes and do nothing
- listen to a few chapters of an audiobook
- find a local class to try (cooking, art, meditation, etc.)
- get a Reiki healing session
- talk to a therapist
- reach out to an old friend
- Speak 5 things positive about yourself, to yourself daily. (affirmations)
REF: https://www.simplyquinoa.com/why-self-care-is-important-101-self-care-ideas/
In one way or another, no matter what best suits you personally, this list is chop full of ways we can show ourselves love, calm our vagus nerve and bring ourselves back into para-sympathetic dominant response and away from sympathetic (fight-or-flight) dominant response. EFT Tapping while saying personal affirmations can help aid this as well. Yoga, Laughter Yoga and Meditation daily all help me to stay calm and centered each day.
I hope this information was helpful and I'd love to hear any comments on what truly helps you with staying calm and centered, or what self-care routines you have that help you feel your best.
