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7 Self-Care Practices for Overall Wellness

self-care practices

It can be hard to make sure you are taking care of your overall wellness on a day-to-day basis. However, incorporating self-care practices into your life can make all the difference. Self-care does not have a straightforward look. It is for the mental, physical, and emotional health of one’s life. 

Self-Care Practices To Incorporate Into Your Life

Self-care practices can look like a variety of different things. At Green Valley OB/GYN, we are dedicated to your health all of the time, not just when you walk in our doors. These eight self-care practices can make all of the difference for your health.   

Emphasize getting sleep. 

The amount of sleep you get in a day is so significant. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains that the way you feel during the day directly connects to how you sleep. Your sleep is used to promote healthy brain function and maintain one’s physical health. 

Finding ways to get more sleep can often be a challenge. Trying to go to bed even 30 minutes earlier than usual could be game-changing for your day. 

Find ways to get active during the day. 

Your body needs movement to rid itself of excess energy during the day. There are many ways to get active during the day. This could look like your favorite form of exercise or even walking your dog. Any steps you take towards an active day are an act of self-care. Self-care practices are often some of the activities you already enjoy.  

Learn how to say no if you do not have the capacity. 

Different plans and expectations are thrown at us every day. One of the best choices you could make for yourself is learning to say no when you cannot do something. Everyone leads busy lives, so you do not need to say yes to everyone’s requests. 

Focus on gut health and eating right. 

What is entering your body has a direct impact on how you feel. Maintaining a healthy diet and a healthy gut makes all of the difference. Johns Hopkins Medicine lays out five ways to reach a healthy gut. 

  • Eat the right foods 
  • Get more sleep
  • Move more 
  • Manage stress 
  • Get help for issues like anxiety and depression 

As you see, the steps for reaching a healthy gut fall directly in line with self-care practices. After implementing those, you can see the change for yourself. 

Find time for the hobbies and activities you enjoy. 

Participating in the activities you love is essential. While every day can seem to be full of responsibility, find the time to incorporate the fun stuff. No one can act on only responsibility all of the time. Your hobbies are essential to maintain. The creativity you find in these can positively impact the work you do in all other aspects of life. Picking up a book or even coloring in a coloring book can take you out of the mental struggles of daily life and direct your attention to something else, even if it is more of a limited time. 

Spend time with loved ones. 

Realizing that you are not alone can play a significant role in self-care practices. Finding time to spend with friends and family is a perfect way to step out of the chaos of daily life. Make sure you spend time with those who make the time feel like a break, not another heavy task.

When spending time with loved ones, you have the opportunity to decompress. Share how you feel and give them a chance to play a role in your daily life. Opening up to your loved ones can make you feel much better.  

Discover new ways to relax and unwind. 

We’ve all seen the definitions of self-care that involve trips to the spa and face masks. While these are not the only methods, they still do the job of allowing you to relax and unwind. Sometimes even taking a bath at the end of the day is the perfect way to find peace. The key is to understand that your preferred ways are unique to you. 

Self-care practices are essential for everyone. Finding the perfect methods for you can be as simple as reading through this list. Do you have questions about mental, emotional, or physical health struggles? Contact us through our website or give us a call at (336) 378-1110.