Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself may seem like a full-time job. Neglecting that "job" though can harm your confidence, relationships and enjoyment of life. It is important to take care of yourself as it ensures a happier and healthier life, as well as helping you to be more a part of the community you're in.
Contents
Steps
Caring for Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being
- Have a good attitude. Taking care of yourself means on the inside too. If you always feel negative, consider getting help to change this approach, whether it be via therapy, reading self-help books or spending time around more upbeat people (the latter is always important).
- Be assertive. Stand up for yourself by being tactful, not aggressive. Being a diplomatic person is a good way to see you through life on an even keel.
- Educate yourself. Schooling and college are important but it also matters to be a "learner for life". Find ways to keep learning through reading, studying others, doing things differently and staying open to advice. Be ready to learn new things,no matter what age you are
- Seek help if you have problems recovering from the blues or you feel you can't think properly. Mental disorders and illnesses are commonplace and many have very good treatment regimes. Don't suffer in silence––by reaching out and getting help, you can find ways to improve your life and be less perturbed by daily events. Depression, anxiety, personality disorders, etc. can be managed, so do yourself a favor and seek the help you deserve.
- Dyslexia, dyscalculia and other cognitive or information processing disorders are extremely common, yet they are very disorienting if you haven't had them diagnosed. Seek help from a health professional.
- Never underestimate the power of talk. Talking with others whom you can trust can make a big difference to how you feel about yourself and your place in the world.
Caring for Your Physical Well-Being
- Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation ages you and reduces your mental abilities. Sleep restores your energy, repairs your body and improves your concentration. Adequate sleep can also help you to keep an even body weight.
- Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Good food in, good things out. Junk food in, junk out. If you are having trouble working out what is a good diet, ask your health adviser for recommendations. Be sure to consume the nutrients you need, calcium included.
- Exercise regularly. Whether it's a daily walk with the dog around the block or a gym workout, fit some exercise into each day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way to work, or add walking time to your lunch hour. Whatever your preference, just find ways to fit in good movement that helps keep you toned and fit.
- Pick a time frame daily to do something physically healthy, such as cardio (walking, kickboxing) or yoga, and even picking up weights will keep your muscles healthy and strong.
Building a Social Support Network
- Be nice to other people. Be nice to others who are different from you. It can be confronting at times when you don't agree or see commonalities with another person but see it as a way of keeping an open mind. While you might not want to be best buddies with such people, you might just make connections and good networks with a wide variety of people from all walks of life, and that can only bode well for you.
- Remember, everyone has it tough at some point in their lives. A word of kindness can mean all the difference and can help you to feel you live in a saner world. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
- Realize that nastiness is often a projection of other people's own pain. Even if people are mean to you deliberately, or tell you to go away, always be nice to them. You will not only make friends this way but you maintain your dignity.
- Identify the things you love to do in your spare time. Find a group of people who share this interest and spend time with them. Take time to get to know them well, including having a coffee together or inviting them over for pizza, etc. Seek to turn some of these people into friends and then spend more time together.
- Not everyone is friend material. You won't click with all people and that is to be expected. Let them be and hang around the people you do have a natural affinity for.
- Return favors. When people help you, keep their promises and go out of their way to do things for you, acknowledge their kindness and generosity. Say thank you and offer to be there for them. When the chips are down for them, return the favor by being there for them too.
Taking care of your personal hygiene
- Keep yourself clean. Wash yourself and your hair regularly.
- Trim and polish. Comb your hair and brush your teeth daily. Keep your nails dirt-free and trimmed.
- Keep your body moisturized. Moisturize your legs, feet, arms, and hands regularly, especially when it's dry and/or hot. You don't need to spend a lot; good lotions can be homemade or purchased cheaply.
- Wear clothing that makes you feel your best. Pick out a group of outfits that make you feel good and stick to them. If you live where there are seasonal changes, divide the clothing into seasonal choices. Keeping a wardrobe of fewer but higher quality clothes can help you to feel and look better and saves time on over-thinking daily clothing choices.
- Drink plenty of water. This will help hydrate your skin and your body. It also flushes toxins out of your body and helps you concentrate. Try to drink enough so that your urine is clear.
Tips
- Be organized. This is a large part of getting through your life successfully. It includes not living in a cluttered environment, so clean out regularly. And make your bed every day; it's a little thing but it makes a big difference!
- Aim to be comfortable with yourself. People tend to be happier when they're not conforming to some ideal or someone else's expectations.
- Hobbies are good for the soul, the heart and the mind. Have a few up your sleeve and actually participate in them on a regular basis.
- Exercise regularly. It will boost your confidence, mood and memory.
- Clean your space as it also helps you to feel relaxed being in a clean fresh place.
Warnings
- Copious amounts of high caloric food may make you feel good instantly, but will lead to weight gain. Seek to maintain a balanced diet and watch your triggers for eating poorly, such as being tired, stressed or strung out about finances. Find alternatives, like doing a hobby, chewing a carrot or walking your dog.
- Stay off alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Drink in moderation and always remain conscious about the choices you're making. Be aware of the impacts on your health and looks before indulging heavily in any substance.
Things You'll Need
- A journal can be helpful to document thoughts, ideas and concerns
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