As we find ourselves in the middle of another lockdown like situation, practising self-care is important now more than ever. While you are busy helping others in the best way possible, do not forget to spare some time to take care of yourself too. Self-care can include a myriad of practices that promote your physical, mental or emotional health.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with news and information, take a break and indulge in some self-care activity. This will relax your mind as well as increase your productivity. Below, five simple self-care ideas that don’t require a lot of time are sure to make you feel better.
- 01. Prioritise sleep
- 02. Workout
- 03. Pamper your skin
- 04. Put on some music
- 05. Declutter an area of your home
01. Prioritise sleep
Scrolling through news and Instagram feed, especially before going to bed, can hamper your sleep pattern and quality. While it's essential to stay up to date, limit yourself to a few minutes of catching up on the news every day. Try and reduce your screen time overall. Stay away from gadgets for at least an hour before going to sleep and practice meditation to help you sleep better and faster.
02. Workout
Staying indoors without any form of activity can be unhealthy for your body and mind. Exercise releases endorphins (hormones that make you feel good) and keeps your body healthy, thereby reducing the risk of chronic and acute illnesses. You do not have to work out for hours. Physical activity of 20-30 minutes every day is enough to boost energy and improve overall mood.
03. Pamper your skin
Skin pampering is the ultimate form of self-care for some women. If you feel relaxed after doing a DIY facial or relaxing with a sheet mask on your face, then do that! It only takes a few minutes and instantly puts you in a better mood. If taking a long shower with a body scrub and essential oils sounds more appealing to you, then go for it. Do whatever brings you peace and relaxation.
04. Put on some music
Turn off the TV and just listen to some uplifting music. It lowers mood problems among people with anxiety and depression and lifts self-esteem. Make a playlist of songs that make you happy, have good memories associated with them or just something upbeat to take your mind off from all the negativity.
05. Declutter an area of your home
Clutter can lead to stress and anxiety. If your house is cluttered or messy right now, it could add to the stress. This can affect your sleep pattern and increase the level of cortisol (the stress hormone). Pick a tiny part of your house and declutter it by throwing away things you don’t need and organise the rest. This will take your mind off things as well as give you the satisfaction to have achieved something.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on May 06, 2021
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.