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15 best daily self-care ideas to practice for optimal health

Hi guys, today on self-care we would be looking at daily self-care ideas and routines to practice for your optimal health.

We often find ourselves burning out from stress in our daily lives, and not until we break down before we actually allow ourselves a break.

But ever asked yourself- what might happen if we all took a “break” before we reached that final breaking point?

Normally I’ve always been one to push myself a little more or go out of my way to do certain things for others without considering myself.

Of course, it’s a good trait. But should tossing my mental, emotional, physical &  overall health be the norm?

I really don’t think so.

It’s perfectly okay to put yourself first when necessary sometimes – That’s self-care and lately, this has been my ground rule.

In my last article on self-care and its types, I spoke on the different kinds of self-care and practical examples on each.

It would be beneficial to check it out before moving ahead because I made mention of how our self-care needs could be different.

So knowing the various types would enable you to know the type of self-care you might be needing.

This in turn would enable you to know the major daily self-care habits to inculcate that would be necessary for your optimal health.

Before moving into the best daily self-care ideas proper, let’s do a little recap of what we mean by self-care.

 

What really is Self-care?

Self-care is the act of engaging in activities to gain or maintain an optimal level of overall health.

 

Does Self-care really need to be done daily?

“The answer is yes it actually does. You know what they say – “a little drop of water makes a mighty ocean”

In this context, that means that often times the little things you do daily also contribute to your overall optimal health.

The main aim of daily self-care is to restore your energy by doing small practices that can help you thrive better in this busy, social and somewhat complicated world we live in.

These days everyone seems to talk and write about the ways we could live a better and happier life and achieve more in just 24 hours.

I guess the importance of daily and general self-care is beginning to come Into limelight and  I love it.

Anyways, without much ado, let’s move into the Best Daily self-care ideas to practice for optimal health.

 

15 Best Daily Self-Care Ideas to Practice

1. Wake early

Not everyone is an early bird but you could make an effort to be, because how you start your day plays a big role in how it would eventually turn out.

For nocturnal beings who work better and are more alert during night hours up till morning like me. I totally understand.

Well, you could properly schedule your time as well as your shifts in the way that suits and works best for you as well as your health.

And also learn to make proper use of your day on some days so as not to make being nocturnal a habit.

 

2. Unplug from social media/screen light

Learn not to check your phone for the first 1 hour after waking up and last 1 hour before going to bed.

This daily digital detox is more important than we realize. This little thing is what makes one’s day go north oftentimes

As we know when you log into social media to check one thing, it just doesn’t stop at that. Before you know it you’ve scrolled & scrolled

Peradventure, you begin to get certain things which leave unnecessary and disturbing chatters in your head (not a good way to start or end your day).

Also desist from all forms of screen light (it could be TV, laptop etc) 1 hour before and after bed.

 

3. Meditate

This involves focusing one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.

Whether you are religious/ spiritual or not, this practice is often good for the soul and helps to set your mind and soul for the day.

It would aid your thinking for the day. So learn to meditate, find your inner peace and Listen to it.

 

4. Plan your day

Not only is this a good daily self-care practice but it’s also a practical way to effectively manage your time for the day and save you getting angry for wasting your day.

Left to me, it’s best done after meditation. It keeps you organised and makes you orderly for the day.

 

5. Make your bed / Tidy your environment

This is meant to be a general practice but well it’s a self-care practice for some.

It falls under environmental self-care where your environment could have a way of altering your mood and emotions

Having my bed laid and my things a little more organised makes me think and feel better compared to when everything is everywhere

 

6. Stretch/do yoga

Yoga is hands down one of the best self-care tools. Spending time on your mat can benefit your brain, heart, and bones, and even change the expression of your genes.

A good morning stretch and yoga is a good way to wake your body up and feel more alert, especially in the morning.

 

7. Drink a good amount of water

Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 litres, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.

However, some health gurus believe that you need to sip on water constantly throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty.

It is recommended to drink one glass of water 30 minutes before, during, and after a meal—but no more.

This will allow your digestive system to do its thing without any wet and wild distractions and will help your body to absorb the nutrients more efficiently

Recommended: Drinking Water Health Benefits: 15 health benefits of drinking water

 

8. Do a workout

Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight. (if you need it that too).

But Still, whether you need to shed weight or not, exercise is not only good for your health but makes you keep fit. So If you’re motivated for a quick session – go for it.

See also: Keeping strong-minded to reach your fitness goals

 

9. Brush your teeth and Take a bath

This should be a norm and shouldn’t even be stated here but I just had to. It’s part of the daily self-care routine.

This should be done morning and night. But it doesn’t mean you can’t also do so during the day if you want to.

Well you can. Because taking a chilled bath when I feel overwhelmed or anxious etc has proven to help me a lot.

 

10. Enjoy a cup of tea

A hot cup of morning tea is not a bad idea for a self-care daily practice. There are many benefits to drinking tea in the morning.

Some of which are: it boost in energy without the jitteriness or crash that comes with coffee.

It is also a great way to boost metabolism and curb appetite.

It also helps soothe intestinal inflammation, which many people struggle with first thing in the morning.

 

11. Cook and eat a healthy meal

I did emphasize on the importance of healthy meals in my article- 12 good healthy habits that guarantees you long life.

You should learn to cook and eat a healthy meal (a balanced diet meal) daily.

Not only should you eat well but also inculcate the habit of eating at the right time.

 

12. Take a walk and Spend time in nature

There are countless ways to take care of your mental health in a pinch.

But if you’re looking for something that combines convenience, simplicity, and scientific approval…

Then look no further than simply taking a walk outside.

In fact, for Patricia Thompson, a psychologist, it’s her go-to strategy for dealing with stress, rejection, or emotional overload in general.

Not only is taking a walk a simple yet effective way of dealing with mental stress but it also combines the scientific benefits of exercise and spending time outside.

 

13. Always have a “me time”

Yes, as stated always have your ‘me time’ where you rejuvenate by resting or doing something you personally love without so many thoughts.

It could be to read a book, involve doing something creative, watch a movie etc.

Taking out time to do this daily would be good for your optimal health and keep you happy in general.

 

14. Journal

This doesn’t apply to everyone as it isn’t everyone who really enjoy writing but still you could try this out because it does work.

A daily journal not only helps as a self-care practice but it could also bring out your creative side and make you better in writing.

Do I hear you asking me what to put down?

Well, you could put down your thoughts, how your day went – what you didn’t do but should have, you could write down what you’re grateful for etc.

There is really no format in journaling. At the end of the day, it’s really all up to you though.

If you having difficulting thinking if what to write about, you could check out this- 30 days writing challenge to boost your writing skills.

 

15. Adequate sleep

Getting adequate amount of sleep daily is very important for your health because ‘your body is not firewood’.

You should also inculcate the habit of going to bed early so you can actually get adequate sleep and also wake up early (we’ve talked about this above).

Your brain needs shutting down and rest. So Develop healthy sleep habits! Unwind before bedtime.

Develop a sleep routine: go to bed and get up at approximately the same time each day, even on weekends.

Those are the daily self-care tips I would be dropping today guys. Incorporating some of these small daily activities into my everyday routine has made me much better and I’m hoping it will do the same for you.

 

That’s it, guys. Kindly drop your comments below and don’t forget to share

 

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