When was the final time you did something just for yourself? Can’t remember? That’s what I thought. In this modern time, we are all too busy for some ’me time.’ Or so we think. The time we dedicate to ourselves, where we are free to do anything that we enjoy and that relaxes us is essential for the balance between our body, mind and soul. In order to assure our well-being, we need to find ways to show ourselves some TLC.
1. Be active
By doing some physical exercises and generally by being active, we establish a connection between our body and mind. These exercises can be simple as taking a brisk walk every day, going for a gentle bike stroll around the block or doing yoga in the park or in the comfort of your own home. By choosing to be active outdoors, you also ease your mind by enjoying the audio-visual serenity nature provides. So, among the many obvious and well-known physical benefits of regular exercise, there are also those connected with our peace of mind. You should definitely incorporate being active as one of the ways to give yourself a little TLC.
2. Be kind
Doing something nice for somebody else makes us feel much better about ourselves. We are overwhelmed by feelings of joy and empowerment. We not only make someone else’s day better but our own as well. Even the simplest things – helping an old lady cross the street or letting someone cut line brings about all the positive emotions. When you learn to be kind to others, you can also learn to be kind to yourself. You needn’t be strict to yourself because you made some mistakes. Everybody did at some point. After all, we are all human beings, not gods.
3. Treat yourself
Sometimes we just need to treat ourselves for no apparent reason. Just to make us feel better. Allow yourself a little indulgence and self-care – it will bring about more positive things than you can imagine. Always wanted to go to that spa, but you felt it’s a bit too expensive? Go for it. Saw a beautiful pair of shoes which you don’t actually need? Buy them. These little things will make you content, calm and satisfied. Remember, they don’t always have to be costly things, but the things that will bring you joy.
4. Unplug & connect
We are constantly overwhelmed by messages, notifications, e-mails, and pings and sometimes what we really need is a break from all the media and everything it conveys. Once in a while, switch off your phone and unplug. We are so used to this ever-lasting availability and presence online that we forgot how to behave without our phones. There was something serene and peaceful during the no-phone times. When you have incorporated the habit of unplugging into your lifestyle, you can really connect to other people. Meet your friend, sister or a colleague, without your phones. Just talk and listen to the world around you. Take a walk along the beach or through the park and just enjoy each other’s company and the sounds of nature.
5. Get your vitamin D
Who doesn’t like that first warm spring sunshine on their skin mixed with the light breeze? Did you notice how people feel happier when warm sunshine comes along with spring months? That’s not without a reason. The whole process starts with the sunlight affecting our brain so it creates serotonin, a hormone that boosts our mood and makes us feel satisfied and concentrated. Sunlight also triggers the creation of vitamin D in our bodies, which is key to our strong and healthy bones. So, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the sunshine once in a while.
6. Catch more ZZZs
We cannot function to our full capacity if we are constantly deprived of our sleep. Having enough sleep is important both for our physical and mental health. It affects our mood, cognitive function, ability to solve problems promptly, stress and energy levels. As it is familiar, adults should sleep from seven to nine hours every night in order to assure they get enough sleep. It is also a good idea to avoid looking at a computer or phone screen one hour before bedtime in order to assure sound sleep.
7. Take care of your skin & hair
One of the ways to improve your look beyond fashion is to take care of your hair and skin. If you want to feel good about yourself, you should definitely take care of these two essential things. Keeping your hair clean and neatly looking with regular visits to the hairdresser’s adds up to your feelings about your appearance and the effect it has on other people. These are the basics. However, sometimes you can treat yourself with a nourishing mask or deep-repair products
for your hair, and cause that WOW effect in people. Eating fruits and vegetables regularly makes our skin glow and age more slowly. Take care of your diet, water intake and skin simultaneously and you will be amazed by the results. When talking about TLC, you could also treat your skin with exfoliators and nourishing body peelings and creams.
8. Smile more
As the beauty symbol of the ‘50s and ‘60s, Marilyn Monroe said: “A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear,” there is definitely something there. In order to feel happier, less stressed out and relieved of pain we must smile more. Even if we’re not in the mood for smiling, studies suggest that we should paint a smile on our face anyway, since it has the same effects on our mood as a genuine smile. However, some people don’t feel good about themselves smiling because they are not satisfied with their dental looks. That’s why it is important to keep our dental hygiene at top levels. Penrith Dental Clinic helps people turn their frowns into smiles, by making their teeth look better, healthier and whiter. Even if it may not seem so, taking care of our dental health is equally important as taking care of other aspects. Maybe this is just what you needed – nicer teeth and regular smile to love yourself more. Therefore, if you follow these ways to improve your smile, we are sure you will be glowing with positivity and openness.
9. Improve your posture
Among the simple ways to improve your appearance is to start with your posture. Having a good posture makes us appear taller, healthier, thinner and more confident. So, getting dressed well is half the formula and the other half is occupied by our posture. Take things into your own hands and learn how to control your posture. Doing some core strengthening exercises can help you achieve a good posture without too much concentration.
10. Do nothing
The idea of leaving everything and doing nothing for a few minutes can seem like a dull thing to do. However, if you try it, you’ll see it works wonders. Make it a habit: take ten minutes of your day, turn off your phone, find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed and interrupted and focus on your breathing. These meditation moments will help you reduce stress. You don’t even have to meditate. Just stop for a few moments, organize your thoughts, reflect and move one. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to go.
You need some time to master the art of giving yourself some TLC because we are all different people and different things work for us. It’s essential to find some time and to try a few things, to see which ones work the best for you and then incorporate them into your weekly schedule. After some time, you’ll feel like a physically, mentally and spiritually complete person.
