These 10 Easy Self-Care Tips Will Leave You Refreshed & Rejuvenated For the Holiday

Written by Danasia Fantastic at @theurbanrealist, banner image provided by @britcorreia.

 

What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think of self-care?

For most people (myself included), we immediately think of sipping a glass of champagne, sitting in my robes, preparing for a relaxing spa day. While luxurious days at the spa have their place, that's not all there is to taking care of ourselves.

Self-care means nourishing our entire beings - our physical, mental, and emotional selves.

We live in a world that can be particularly tough to navigate for females, so it's vital that we dedicate time and energy into refueling our bodies and minds.

These self-care tips will help you treat and take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, which is especially important as we approach the busy holiday season.

1. Eat Healthy Foods

It may not be glamorous, but one of the best ways to take care of ourselves is simply to eat better foods. I won't lie, healthy food isn't nearly as fun as junk food, but it's so much better for us. When we eat healthy food, we fuel our bodies and minds with the good things they need to function better.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated also helps keep your body in good working order, and when your body works well, you feel better. Hydration plays a key role in every part of the body's functions, so get in those 8 glasses a day. It helps keep your body feeling good and your mind sharp. Bonus: it also helps improve mood.

3. Go Dark

We millennials are glued to our devices. Whether we're texting with friends in the group chat or sending emails to coworkers, most of us live our lives on our phones and laptops.

While having the ability to communicate so quickly is a blessing, the downside is the anxiety that can come with always being available. The incessant need to constantly checking our phones is killing our relaxation vibes. Take one day a week (I typically do it on Sundays) to turn off your phone.

Once the initial uneasiness of having it off passes, you’ll start to enjoy the freedom of being unavailable. You’ll also realize how much time you spend scrolling mindlessly on your phone. Turning your phone off for one day a week is a great way to give your brain a rest.

4. Read

One of my favorite self-care tips is to pick up a book. Reading takes you out of your own world and allows you to escape for a while. It also pairs well with a bath and a glass of wine, so it's a clear winner in my book.

5. Meditation

Meditation is an excellent way to practice self-care. It helps calm the mind and spirit, making it a great two-pronged approach to taking care of yourself. It's a wonderful tool for nourishing the mind and the spirit.

While I’ve tried many meditation apps over the last year, the one I use religiously is called Insight Timer. It’s free and offers a huge library of different forms of meditation to try.

6. Therapy

Therapy can be vital to your mental and emotional well-being. Most people shy away from it because of how expensive it can be, but there are affordable options out there! Read this guide from Healthline on Affordable Therapy Options for Every Budget.

7. Spa Day

Okay, remember when I said my self-care tips weren't all spa day related? Well, I didn't mean that it wouldn't make the list! Spa days are a classic self-care activity because they work. The soothing atmosphere of the spa, the feeling of being pampered, and how pretty the entire process makes you feel all combine to make for a day that eases tension and refreshes the body, mind, and spirit.

Have your own spa day at home by pampering yourself with a long hot bath, your favorite skincare products and a glass of Merlot.

8. Go Shopping

Retail therapy is a real thing, ladies. Don't go crazy and break the bank - that only leads to more stress. However, purchasing that one item you've been putting off because you didn't think you deserved it is a great way to tell yourself, "Hey. You're great. You deserve a little something special." Why not treat yourself to one of our gorgeous necklaces? You’ve earned it!

9. Rearrange and Redecorate

Sometimes the best way to take care of yourself is by doing the things you’ve been putting off- like cleaning and reorganizing your space. Decluttering your apartment is like decluttering your mind- you’ll be in awe of how amazing you feel once you’ve cleaned your space. If you’ve got a small apartment and don’t know where to begin, these tips will make it a breeze!

10. Exercise

We might not all be in love with exercise, but it is a vital part of self-care. Exercise helps strengthen the body, mind, and spirit. Physical activity helps keep our bodies healthy, and the hormones released by exercise help reduce stress.

It's incredibly important to make sure you’re taking care of every aspect of your mind and body. These self-care tips will allow you to continue being the fierce woman that you are!