Pamper Yourself: Tips on How to Show Yourself Some Self-Care

In this time of transition from the Coronavirus lockdown, it is now time more than ever to show yourself some self-care.

“It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.” - Diane Von Furstenberg

This great quote from the fashion icon, Diane Von Furstenberg says it all. If we as women do not show ourselves some self-care then how are we able to give back to others?

Here are some ideas on how you can be a little kinder to yourself:

Balanced Diet

This is the one we love to talk about, but don’t love sticking to all the time. But in all honesty, don’t you feel much better and more energised when you eat your ‘5 a Day’ than when you eat a takeaway. 

Of course we are all human and it is okay to have a devilish treat once in a while, but your body needs its vital nutrients for your physical and mental well-being. 

The NHS recommends that you drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day and eat at least five different managed portions of fruits and veg. Try to stay away from processed foods in general.

If you regularly engage in physical fitness, it is even more important to maintain a healthy level of fluids. A health tip, if you get bored of just drinking water, maybe switch things up with a squeeze of lemon in your water or drink coconut water or water from a watermelon, both of which are a great source of potassium. Potassium helps the body regulate fluid, nerve signals and muscle contractions. 

A fitness tracker is a great way to monitor your calorie and vitamin intake to see where improvements to your balanced diet can be made. You’ll feel so much better for doing so.

Exercise

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but exercise gives you the opportunity to create a space for yourself, where you are doing something positive for yourself. How wonderful is that?

Research shows that exercise has the following benefits:

• Enhances your mood and mental well-being
• Improves mental cognition
• Helps you to stop smoking
• Improves sleep
• Improves sexual health

It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of medium-intensity workouts or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise or a combination of the two, a week.

Don’t feel that you have to do the latest fitness craze. Play around with different health and fitness activities and see what feels good for you and stick to it. 

In our new normal, there are now some great options to work out from home, from yoga on YouTube with great instructors like Adriene from Yoga with Adriene or meet-ups in your local green spaces with area instructors, which you can find through apps like ClassPass. Resistance bands are also an easy and affordable fitness tool you can use virtually anywhere.

Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations may seem like a New Age gimmick, but many of the most successful people rely on them on a daily basis. 

Positive affirmations are positive statements that you say to yourself as part of your daily practice to combat negative thoughts. 

Research has proven that along with breathing techniques, positive affirmations can alleviate stress, help change unhelpful patterns in life and boost your overall health.

Next time you feel in a slump, why not recite some affirmations or write down some affirmations that ring true for you.

There are several places online to start looking up inspirational quotes to uplift your spirit. Louise Hay is a great person to start with.

Some Alone Time

This may be easier said than done for some, but without a question, you need some time to yourself to gather your thoughts and replenish your soul. 

If you haven’t taken a Lush scented bath bomb bath before, now is the time to start! The bath is the perfect opportunity to close the door, put on your favourite Spotify station and take time out of your day for yourself. Use coffee grounds or brown sugar to scrub your skin and the day away.

Finding Comfort in Your Clothing