There are lots of different resolutions that you can make for the new year, but few of them are more practical or important that self-care. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to tend to the needs of family and friends or keep up with any of your work, school, social, or financial obligations.
So, to start 2022 off right, here are some self-care tips for a more naturally healthy new year.
Find Ways to Take Timeouts
Powering through a day with no breaks can be exhausting and unproductive at the same time. Fortunately, there are ways to schedule self-care into even the busiest of days. Tiny 10-minute breaks can make all the difference in the world when you’re feeling burned out or uninspired.
At least once in the morning and once in the afternoon, take 10 minutes to yourself to squeeze in a self-care activity, such as stretching, going for a walk while looking up at the clouds, coloring in a coloring book, doing a deep-breathing exercise, or sipping a cup of soothing Olive Leaf Mint Tea.
Say No When You Need To
Many of us are overwhelmed by obligations of what we should be doing at all times, but this is not healthy or sustainable behavior. In the new year, commit to saying yes only when you truly have to or want to, but not out of a sense of guilt or obligation. Saying no to social plans or overtime at work can be very hard, but it might be worth it for your mental health.
Carry Around a Notepad
Journaling isn’t for everyone and often makes people feel overwhelmed about what to write and how to get started. But a good self-care habit to get into is to carry around a small notepad to jot down notes about anxiety triggers, to make lists of things you might forget, or just to doodle instead of staring at a screen.
Make Small, Manageable Changes
Expecting yourself to make a huge overhaul of unhealthy habits for the new year is not reasonable, but small changes are much more manageable. If you want to live a more natural lifestyle, consider stocking your medicine cabinet up with a few homeopathic remedies so that you have natural solutions on hand whenever you get a sore throat, stuffy nose, or earache. If you want to make your home eco-friendlier, focus on just one household project, such as swapping regular lightbulbs for LED lights or getting separate bins for trash, recycling, and compost materials.
Find an Accountability Partner
When life gets busy, self-care is often the first thing to go. Talk to trusted friends and family members about making self-care a priority and keep each other accountable for making time for self-care every day. Families within a shared household can schedule certain times of day for self-care or take turns with the kids so that parents get the breaks they need.
Limit Your Screentime
Although there are some excellent smartphone apps and online articles to read about self-care, the best thing you can do for yourself is often to disconnect from technology and get back to the basics. Think about what you (or people in older generations) did with downtime before the age of smartphones and pick up a book, go for a walk, try a craft hobby, or literally just stare into space and breathe for a little bit instead.
Focus on Someone Else
It might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to help someone else. Consider volunteering for a local nonprofit, donating items or your time to neighbors in need, or finding a cause that you feel passionate about. These are all great ways to feel better about yourself and put things into perspective that may be bothering you about your own life.
How do you plan to practice self-care in 2022? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Thanks so much.
Just what I need to know.
Perfect timing.