Self-care is SO important. If you want to stay healthy, happy and productive, you need to take care of yourself first. Take some time every day to reflect and check in with yourself. Learning how to  take a time-out when you need it, eat right, reduce stress and exercise regularly are the cornerstones of self-care. Oh, and spoil yourself a bit too, because you deserve it. This month, we are going to help you. 

We often feel as though we are too busy with our jobs and taking care of our families to make time for ourselves. We let me-time become last on the to-do list, thinking we will get to it tomorrow, or even next week, instead. We feel guilty about taking time to care for ourselves. 

Don’t fall into this trap. As the quote above says, “you cannot serve from an empty vessel”. We must fulfill our own needs in order to have the energy to help others. 

Take some time to relax and recharge, here are a few ideas: 

• Curl up with a great book 
• Go for a walk
• Turn off your phone for a whole day
• Schedule a Zoom call with a close friend 
• Try to add healthy stress reducing food to your diet. Read our blog post about 10 foods that can help you reduce stress
• Tea is also an amazing de-stressor, with calming properties known to alleviate anxiety, fight depression, and reduce stress. 

Practice self-care and stay well!

Learning to say no is really hard; many of us feel obligated to say yes when someone asks for our time or energy. However, if you’re already stressed or overworked, saying yes to loved ones or co-workers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and irritability. It may take a little practice, but once you learn how to politely say no, you'll start to feel more empowered, and you'll have more time for your self-care.  

Below are some self-care ideas because you have made precious time by saying NO:

HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS

Probably one of the most vital needs of your body is quality sleep. This means a good sleep routine which could include:

• Sleep at regular times to maintain a sleep pattern and rhythm.
• Wind down before bedtime, write in your journal, read a book, take a hot bath or meditate. 
• Keep your bedroom sleep friendly, with no distractions, dark and at a comfortable temperature.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT

Your gut health can have a significant impact on your health, well-being, and feelings of vitality. The types of foods you eat crucially impact the bacteria that live in your stomach, resulting in a cascade of either positive or negative outcomes. An unhappy gut can lead to an unhappy person, and vice-versa. Check out our post about 10 healthy foods for stress relief.

EXERCISE

We all know exercise is good for us, but do we really know how good it is? Daily exercise can help you both physically and mentally, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety, not to mention helping you shed extra weight. Of course, it might be hard to go to the gym every day, so try to incorporate other exercises, such as walking, tennis, or yoga, which may be able to fit into your schedule more easily. The most important thing is to create a routine that works for you.

TAKING A SELF-CARE TRIP OR DAY OUT

This can make a huge difference in your life. Even if you’re not feeling particularly stressed, getting away for a weekend every now and then can help you disconnect, relax, and be rejuvenated. These self-care trips don’t have to be costly; simply drive to the next town over and see the sights, or go camping nearby. The goal is to veer away from your normal schedule and take the time to do something just for yourself!

Do you have more helpful ideas? Share with us and follow @hummingcuptea on Instagram and Facebook.