10 Underrated Self-Care Practices

Life is tough so you need to make sure you make time to rejuvenate and don’t burn out.

It can be hard to find the time to look after yourself so it’s important to have a few quick self-care practices up your sleeve.

1.Have a laugh

Find an account or website that posts funny stuff. There are plenty of Snapchat stories that post videos of people slipping on ice or dogs falling into swimming pools that can make you chuckle. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and happiness.

2. Unfriend

Head over to your social media. Look through your friends and those you’re following and delete and unfollow some people. If you’ve not spoken to someone for ten years, you probably don’t need to still be Facebook friends with them. If there’s a stranger on Twitter that always posts policial Tweets that frustrate you, just unfollow them.

3. A small dietary change

Tell yourself you’ll add an extra glass of water or eat a handful of grapes each day. Make it a habit to add that little bit extra to your diet. Drinking more water is far from difficult and drinking eight glasses per day will lead to more energy, better skin, and maybe even weight loss.

4. Do a mini de-clutter

Take a second to clean up your desk or take out the bins. Do something that will take just a couple of minutes but has a soothing impact.

5. Face masks

Okay, so this isn’t one of the most underrated self-care practices. This is actually the most obvious and stereotypical practice. You can’t go wrong with a facemask. Best combined with a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a good book, a face mask is a must when mastering the art of relaxation. Not only do they help relieve stress, but they also work beauty and health miracles on your skin.

6. Sleep

Again, this is a cliche. However, it is perhaps the most important of all self-care practices. Know how much sleep is necessary for you and make sure you get it. The proper amount of sleep improves concentration and productivity as well as having about a million health benefits.

7. Read a chapter of a book

This doesn’t mean pick up a self-help book! If you’re having a busy day, take a break long enough to read just one chapter of a book you’ve been wanting to get into. Taking breaks is scientifically proven to increase productivity. Just don’t get too carried away and realise it’s 3am, you’ve skipped two meals and you’ve missed some work deadlines!

8. Start a journal

Start writing down your thoughts to get your mind straight. Getting things off your chest by writing them down will work wonders so this HAS to make the list of self-care practices.

9. Green tea

Green tea is the healthiest drink there is. It’s loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have strong positive effects on your body. These include improved brain function, fat loss, and a lower risk of cancer.

10. Unplug for a day

Take a day where you don’t look at screens. Avoiding social media is good for your mental health so it’s always good to cut that out for a while. However, cutting out your laptop and things like YouTube can also be very beneficial. Take a day where you read instead of watch TV. If you’ve got work to do, try writing it in a notebook instead of typing it. It’s good for your eyes and your sleep so make sure to give it a go every now and then.

It’s vital you take some time for yourself. What’s your favourite self-care practice? Leave a comment?

Feature image: craftcollective.org.uk