Make 2020 About Self-Care 

No matter what you strive to do in the new year, don’t forget about yourself. Consider making 2020 the year of you. 

Self-care is so important to your mental and physical wellbeing. It is crucial that you take care of your mind, body, and soul every day, not just when you feel sick. 

Clients often tell me that they “don’t have time for self-care” or they feel that self-care is “selfish.” Caring for yourself is the opposite of being selfish. Taking time during your day to check in with yourself and to listen to your body will help you to be happier, less stressed, healthier, and the best version of you. It is the things you do to care for yourself that help you to be the best parent, spouse, sibling, child, friend, employee, and human you can be. When we are exhausted, overworked, and run down our mental and physical health suffer. 

If you need some help getting started on the road to a better you, here are some tips:

1.) Get sleep. You have probably heard it before “I will sleep when I am dead.” Sleep is often the first thing we sacrifice to get things done. Whether it be staying up late to fold laundry, bake cookies for your child’s school event, finish a work project, or to get some alone time with your significant other, adequate amounts of sleep can feel optional. But, it’s not. Getting the right amount of sleep helps us to think better, focus, feel our best, stabilize our moods, and keep us physically healthy. Make sleep a priority.

2.) Be active. Human beings were not meant to be sedentary. We were meant to move. Make the effort to exercise 3-5 days a week. Exercising releases feel-good hormones, relieves stress, and keeps us healthier. If “working out” is just not your thing, try adding movement in other ways. You can park further away from the grocery store to get more steps in, clean your home, take a walk on your lunch break, or opt for the stairs instead of the elevator. 

3.) Eat right. Treating yourself to sweets, fatty foods, and alcoholic beverages can be a treat. No need to completely deprive yourself, but be mindful of what you are putting in your body. Getting adequate nutrition helps you to feel and operate your best. Our bodies are a machine, they require the proper fuel and maintenance.

4.) Let yourself say “no.” It is hard to take care of yourself if you never have the time. Say “no” to tasks or events that are draining to you and say “yes” to self-care. Maybe instead of late-night drinks with friends, you opt for bed and a good book; or instead of volunteering at your child’s school dance, have a date night with your spouse. It is ok to say “no.” 

5.) Get organized. There is a lot of research that shows clutter causes stress. Take the time to get rid of the things that don’t cause you joy, clean up, organize and you will likely notice your mood and stress level will follow. Create your calm.

6.) Have YOU time. Set aside some time each week to do something for yourself — take a bath, read a book, go to a yoga class, meditate, take a walk, get a massage, whatever your heart desires schedule it in and let yourself do it. 

7.) Unplug. Technology has taken over our world and made it so easy to always be “on.” Let yourself turn off. Schedule time throughout your day to put the phone away. Leave it in a drawer while you watch a movie or read a book. Put it away during meal times. Whatever time works for you be mindful of the need to disconnect. 

8.) Check-in with yourself. Make sure to check-in with yourself throughout the day. If you can’t remember, set a reminder on your phone. How are you feeling? What do you need right now? Listen to your body. If you need a break, take one. Sometimes a simple 15-minute walk can help you to reset.

9.) Practice mindfulness. Incorporating the practice of mindfulness into your everyday life can help to keep things simple. Research shows mindfulness can reduce stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and help us to be happier overall. 

10.) Embrace gratitude. The act of recognizing the good things that have happened in our day can help to shift our perspective. So often we focus on one or two bad things that went wrong and forget about all the good. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to think about a couple of things that were good about the day, even the smallest of things can have a big impact. Write them down in a gratitude journal.

Self-care, however that looks to you personally, is so very important. Your health and overall wellbeing depend on it. If you need help getting yourself on the path to a healthier, happier version of you, consider seeking the help of a licensed mental health professional who can help to guide you on your journey. 

The psychologists at Wellness Psychological Services are uniquely and expertly specialized in helping you create a healthier environment for yourself. We welcome the chance to discuss an individualized plan to meet your needs. Contact us for an appointment anytime.