10 Ways to take better care of yourself

Many of our lives are centered around taking care of the needs of everyone around us, but not ourselves. We’re running around taking care of kids, bosses, spouses, pets, friends, co-workers, parents, etc. Sometimes the responsibilities we have in life feel like an overwhelming burden. Because of all of these responsibilities, we end up forgetting to have fun and enjoy life.

We cater to being responsible before being happy. There needs to be an established balance between both. Taking care of ourselves doesn’t have to be a chore, an obligation, or something that’s experienced as yet another burden. Here are ten simple ways to take better care of yourself.

1. Go outside.

Exercise, take a walk, go to the beach/pool, hike or whatever appeals to you. Get some fresh air. Fresh air fills us up with a fresh new look on life. Getting outside allows for a state of relaxed contemplation. It serves as a release from all the pressures we sometimes feel trying to be everything to everyone.

2. Have time alone.

Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of alone time each day. This time could be during your lunch break, before bed, or in the morning before everyone else gets up. Time alone is detoxing and reparative.

3. Ignite your creativity.

Discover what ignites your creative juices – writing, reading, cooking, working on a car, building something, sewing, or art. Being creative helps us remember we’re alive and passionate.

4. Spend time with friends.

There’s nothing better than a nice break from life’s responsibilities to spend time with people we love who make us feel free. Bonding with others is one of the healthiest ways to take care of ourselves.

5. Take a nap.

A 20 minute nap can be totally rejuvenating for the whole physical, emotional, and mental system. If you can fit it into to your day, I highly recommend it.

6. Go shopping.

Getting something new often brings light and excitement into our life. We all need to reward ourselves for our hard work.

7. Get spiritual.

In whatever way works for you, enliven your spiritual life. This will help you feel more connected to the process your life is taking. Having a firm belief that all is happening as it should will help to relax a stressed mind.

8. Get a massage.

Touch is healing and a great way to reduce stress and love ourselves.

9. Eat healthy.

Eating healthy meals helps us to feel as if we’re headed in the right direction and that we have a sense of control over our circumstances. Healthy eating is a powerful choice in the direction of self love.

10. Turn off your cell phone for a few hours.

It’s incredibly healthy to disconnect from the social and Internet world.

I encourage everyone to follow these steps and whatever steps come to mind as you read this list. You know within you of what makes you feel good and what people, events and circumstances bring you joy. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed in the world of responsibility and lose sight of the basic reasons for living. You’re here to feel happy as much as you can, to focus more on your pleasure than your pain, and to feel the fruits of your labor on an emotional (not just a financial) level.

Your life experiences are dictated by how you feel emotionally. Due to this reality, you must make a conscious effort to take care of how you’re feeling. If you veer off into negative thoughts, a never-ending feeling of responsibility, you must recalibrate and take some action to take care of yourself. You deserve it.

Little life Message: You can be the best caretaker of you.

How do you take care of yourself? What else would you add to this list?

Sherrie Campbell, Ph.D.

Dr. Sherrie Campbell is an author and a licensed Psychologist with more than nineteen years of clinical training and experience. She provides practical tools to help people overcome obstacles to self-love and truly achieve an empowered life. Get her free article on Five Ways to Make Love the Common Ground in Your Communication. She is also a featured expert on a variety of national websites and has a successful practice in southern California. Receive free insights from Sherrie and get involved in her Facebook community with others looking to improve their relationship. For more information visit SherrieCampbellPhD.com.

tell us what you think