I am truly happy to have a special Guest Writer making an appearance here! Please welcome and enjoy this piece by Kristin Louis.
Kristin Louis is a former advertising copywriter. She’s a loving mom to two boys: oldest is 10 and youngest is 7. She recently created parentingwithkris.com, where she puts her skills to work writing about the trials and tribulations of parenting.
Self-care is more important than you may realize, and taking the time to rest, relax, and recharge is good for both your body and mind. Learn to reduce stress, say no with confidence, and prioritize sleep to improve your overall well-being and mental health.
Prioritizing Sleep
Sleep is incredibly important, and doctors recommend that adults sleep seven to nine hours per night for optimal health and well-being. Sleep is a chance for your body to rest, breakdown harmful chemicals in your body, consolidate memories, and strengthen the immune system. Natural remedies like chamomile (organic tea is available for under $5) can help you sleep at night, and improve your mental health.
Find Time to Relax
One self-care tip that often gets overlooked is dedicating daily time to relax, switch off your phone, and take some time to be alone. Grab a book, make a cup of tea, or go for a walk in the park. Taking the time to slow down is important for your mental health, and if you’re struggling to relax, try mindfulness or meditation, and take deep breaths to calm yourself and relax.
Learn to Say ‘No’
Practicing self-care takes time, and it can be hard to set aside a few minutes each day to focus on yourself. Learn to set clear boundaries with friends and family, and say “no” to things that are causing extra stress, or making your days too full to practice self-care.
Eating Healthy
Did you know that your diet is closely linked to your mental health and well-being? Eating healthy and making good nutritional decisions will reduce your stress levels. Stay away from high-carb, high-sugar foods. They might provide momentary pleasure, but these foods increase your chances of gaining weight, and will actually worsen your stress levels! Don’t skip meals, and be sure to eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. If you’re struggling with your weight and are self-conscious, put together a weight-loss plan and consider something along the lines of laser lipo, which can remove fat and tighten skin.
Be Active
Taking a few minutes to be physically active is a great form of self-care and will reduce your stress while improving your mental health. Whether it’s rolling out your yoga mat for some stretches or hopping on the stationary bike, set aside the time to be active. This will lower cortisol levels in your body and release endorphins and serotonin to reduce stress.
Remove Clutter in Your Home
A cluttered house can also increase your stress levels, so as part of your self-care plan remove the clutter from your home. Creating a peaceful environment will help you relax, so declutter your home by donating things you don’t use, planning a garage sale, and getting rid of all the clothes that have been crowding the back of your closet for the last few years.
A great way to kickstart your self-care routine is to deep clean your home for a fresh start. Create a bright, clean space for your self-care, whether that’s setting aside a reading nook, or making space for your exercise routine. Hiring a cleaning service to deep clean your house and furniture will save you time and energy, remove bacteria from your home, and leave your house sparkling clean. In Reno, it costs between $94 and $149 to clean upholstery and furniture, and remove all the dust and germs from the fabrics in your home.
These stress management strategies will help you feel relaxed so you can tackle your work and personal life without being weighed down by stress. Having a great daily self-care routine will improve both your mental and physical health, and help you enjoy every moment of your life.
by Kristin Louis, creator of parentingwithkris.com
And take the time to familiarize yourself with extra Health Tips from Classy Mama Bear under my Health Tab. XOXO
