The 21st century is a fast-paced period. There are always many things going on at once, not to mention the obsession with constant productivity. A lot of people don’t have time to do self-care activities because they have lengthy to-do lists. However, in order to stay productive, it is necessary to take care of one’s mind and body.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is often perceived as a time-consuming activity. Contrary to this common belief, self-care does not have to take hours. Self-care for busy people takes only somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes. You can easily add these efficient self-care tips to your to-do list.
Sleep
You should not underestimate the importance of sleep in keeping the mind and body working well. It is the oil that keeps the machine going. Adults need 7-9 hours of sleep daily. A good night’s sleep keeps the mind alert and the body energized.
To achieve this, you may need to make adjustments so you can get at least 7 hours of sleep. You might also want to do some relaxing activities so you can fall asleep faster.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are a natural way to keep the mind calm. These are often recommended for people who experience anxiety. Slow breathing helps the body return to rest mode after being in fight-or-flight mode.
Breathing exercises take no more than 5 minutes to accomplish, depending on your preferences. All you need to do is to sit down and breathe in and out slowly. We recommend doing this multiple times a day to give your body some downtime. However, if that’s not possible, you can do this before going to bed instead.
Meditate
Meditating makes use of breathing exercises, too, but it also engages the mind. The goal of meditation is to strengthen the mind so you can handle stressful situations better. Meditation trains the mind to be calmer and more focused to help you avoid easily feeling overwhelmed when faced with difficult situations.
There are many ways to meditate. You can focus on your breathing and empty your mind of negative thoughts, or you can focus on a particular thought or idea. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. In fact, there is no time limit either. You can start by meditating for 5 minutes and eventually lengthen your practice.
Tidy Up
They say that a messy house is reflective of a messy mind. If you have not had time to tidy up your home, chances are you have not been able to take care of your mind as well. Small clutters here and there can accumulate over time, so it is necessary to tidy up your space a little every day.
This shouldn’t take too much time or energy. Simply sweep away some dirt or straighten up around your home for a few minutes before you retire to bed. Tidying up can also take your mind off your worries for the day so you can relax with a clear mind and a clean home.
Soak Your Feet
Busy bees do not only stop thinking but also stop moving. Our feet have to endure standing in jam-packed trains and walking around in uncomfortable shoes for hours daily. They are just as tired as our brains, yet they are often more neglected.
Show your feet some love a few times a week with a detoxifying foot soak. A simple foot soak can help soothe away discomfort. Better Bath Better Body’s Detox Foot Soak also helps moisturize your feet. In just 20 minutes, you can have soft and relaxed feet.
Hug Your Loved Ones
Hugging your loved ones triggers the release of serotonin, also called the “feel-good” hormone. So even if you don’t have much time to bond with your loved ones, give them a hug to express your love for them. This is beneficial for each individual and the relationship between them.
The good thing about hugging is it’s very efficient. All it takes is a few seconds so you can do it multiple times a day. You could even couple it with a few nice words for your loved ones.
Work Out
Self-care is not just about the mind and skin. You also need to make sure that you are healthy all over. After all, it’s impossible to have a fully functioning mind and glowing skin without a strong and healthy body, so don’t forget to take care of your body as well.
There are various home workout routines you can try. You don’t have to go to the gym for hours to achieve a healthy body. All you need is a physical activity to burn some calories and tone your muscles. You can do 5- or 10-minute workouts or go for a walk or jog for 30 minutes. It all depends on what works for you.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is the foundation of a strong body and glowing skin. Water keeps the body functioning well, and it helps flush out toxins from the body. Adults are recommended to drink 1 liter of water daily. This will not take up any time at all. It is, however, a matter of making it a habit. A custom among young professionals nowadays is to carry a tumbler wherever they go so they can drink anytime.
Eat Well
Eating healthy does not require cooking at home all the time. Although that is the better, more affordable route, there are now take-out options that are just as healthy. Go for meals that are more nutritious than burgers and pizzas as much as possible.
Take A Bath
Busy people often prefer to shower than take a bath because of the illusion of efficiency. Indeed, you can clean yourself by taking a shower for a few minutes, but you can do so much more with a bath. In the 10 to 15 minutes you spend in a bath, you can relax, moisturize, and stimulate your senses. With all these benefits, taking a bath can still be considered one of the most efficient self-care tips.
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