Self-care is anything that you do to intentionally take care of your physical, emotional or mental self. Chose a day a week and pick activities depending on what you need at the time. There’s no right or wrong way to practise self-care and you don’t have to always do solo activities. It’s all about being good to yourself and taking the time to participate in activities that will have you feeling your best. When you feel your best, you are then better able to tackle all that comes your way.
Recharge your mind, body and soul with these 10 self-care Sunday (or any day you’d like) tips.
Move your body – Exercise releases “feel good” endorphins. If a sweaty high intensity class isn’t your thing, practise some yoga, go for an extra-long walk or try some stretching exercises. You can even turn on your favourite tunes and dance it out!
Get some beauty sleep - Whether it’s going to bed early one night or not rushing to wake up on a weekend morning, give yourself some time weekly to catch up on sleep missed or have a goodnight's rest.
Have a DIY spa day – Pamper yourself with a face mask that will leave your skin feeling radiant. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure (or treat yourself to one at your favourite salon). Soak in a warm bubble bath or take turns with your partner giving each other a massage.
Make time for you – Whether you like journaling, getting lost in the pages of a book, binge watching a new TV series, doing a puzzle or talking on the phone or facetime with a friend to catch up, make time to do the things that you enjoy and make you happy.
Tackle your to-do list– We all have things we never get the time to do. Maybe it’s cleaning your closet or garage or organizing your kitchen pantry or basement workshop. Do something you’ve been putting off and feel good and proud of yourself!
Practise some mindfulness – Taking some time to be fully present, noticing your thoughts and letting them go can help give you a sense of relaxation and boost your mood. There are many mindful apps, YouTube videos and podcasts that can lead you in the practise of mindfulness.
Write it down – Writing things down on paper can be very cathartic. Whether it’s keeping a gratitude journal or listing what is causing you stress, it can be a helpful way to acknowledge what you’re thankful for and where you need to make changes.
Be one with nature – It is well documented that being in nature has a positive effect on your mental health. Weekends are a great time to spend outdoors doing season appropriate activities. Explore local parks, forest trails or plan an outing to explore a new-to-you neighbourhood.
Do some meal planning – The week can often be busy and hectic, so planning your meals in advance can help set you up successfully to eat healthy meals and snacks. By meal planning you can make sure to get what you need when your grocery shopping and you can save money by not eating out or picking up takeout as often.
Set some time to ‘unplug’ – We work and live with our phones following us throughout our days. This often leads to working constantly and always being available to others at all times. Create more downtime by setting limits on work emails, texts, calls and even social media. Try taking a Sunday detox from technology.
Got some self-care Sunday ideas that can be helpful to other? We’d love to hear them at info@zaxhealth.com
Written by Alyssa Rolnick, Co-Founder of Zax’s Original Products, Registered Dietitian and Mother of 3 active kids.