You’ve been taking care of home, running the kids to and fro, tending to your man and trying to stay on top of your income. As wives and mothers, or even single women with the responsibilities of adulthood, the stress builds up even when we don’t necessarily feel it. Naturally, we are nurturers and we take care of the needs of others before we focus on ourselves. Often times, we relate “self-care” strictly with [well-deserved] luxuries like getting our nails done, our hair done, fancy dinners, etc. but the costs add up! When your mind says yes, but your budget says no, consider these self-care tips that take care of the mind and body, not just temporary satisfaction.
Eat Healthy, Choose Organic
Despite what you may have heard, eating well and organic is not impossible and doesn’t necessarily cost more than not. It certainly costs less in the long-run in regards to the health of your body. By cooking at home and choosing the right foods to create a filling meal, as opposed to grabbing loads of processed foods, you can save money and feel good about what you’re feeding yourself or your family. Organic farming reduces pollution, cuts out toxins that lead to disease, reduce soil erosion and conserves energy. You can save money shopping Organic by:
- Buying items in bulk when on sale— freeze items like meat for later
- Eat more Whole Foods, rice, beans and veggies while cutting down on meat.
- Grow your own!
Get More Sleep
Lack of sleep is linked to depression, weight gain, reduced cognitive and immune function. With a baby and preschooler, the end of the night is certainly catch-up time for me, and I’m quick to grab my phone or tablet, but I’ll be working on getting more rest to improve my overall health!
Take a break from Social Media
Before you skip this one, just give me a minute. Sometimes, the negativity that brings us down is as a result of the things we see and read on the internet and whether we realize it or not, these things keep building up until we get to our breaking point. If for any reason, you can’t do away with your phone, then unfollow people who spread negativity on their timelines.
Exercise
You hear it all the time, try to get atleast 30 minutes of exercise in per day! Get your limbs moving and your body will thank you for it! With an array of apps available on your phone or tv, it’s easy to build a simple routine or head outdoors for fresh air and walk!
Visit your favorite places around town
Speaking of fresh air, head outdoors for some exploring. Take a seat on the beach (it’s still warm here in Florida!), visit a pretty little part of town and walk around and window shop or catch up with a friend or head to your favorite park for a picnic!
Keep a Journal
Journals help us remember the little things that spice up our lives. They also can give you a place to vent and release anything that is built up within. When we look back on them, we realized that we have so much to be grateful for. If you’re not much of a writer, grab a journaling app on your phone or tablet!
Learn to say No
Your no doesn’t have to be rude or hurtful, but you do need to know when to use it. Sometimes it’s hard for me to say no to people, but once I decided it would become an essential part of my “self-health vocabulary,” the more balanced my peace became. It’s not your duty to please everyone around you. As much as it is good to put people first, sometimes, break that rule (besides, who made it a rule?). Learn to say no to whatever takes your peace away, no matter who the person in question is.
Netflix & Chill: Solo Edition
Get suggestions from your friends or catch up on your favorite shows or movies! Self explanatory, Netflix and chill is always a good option for relaxing!
Let me know in the comments some of your favorite ways to practice self care!
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