During our busy lives, it can be easy to forget to squeeze some self-care into our schedules. Many feel that finding the right self-care strategy isn’t as important as all the other tasks on their agenda. However, practicing self-care will help reduce stress, and we all know that stress can have a huge impact on one’s physical health.
Springtime is often seen as a clean slate. If you are one to do spring cleaning, why not make some time to focus on yourself as well? Let’s take a look at ways to improve your self-care.
Caring For Your Health
Self-care can go in two ways: managing your physical health and managing your mental health. In most cases, the two go hand-in-hand. Keeping up with your physical health can reduce your stress while also increasing your energy. Having that energy boost can be especially useful if you’re something with a particularly busy schedule.
Proper Sleep
Ensuring that you get the right amount of sleep should be at the top of your self-care list. Sleep has a massive impact on how you feel, both mentally and physically. Someone who is prone to stress may struggle to get the proper rest that they need, so it’s important to keep in mind what you can do to improve your sleeping.
Think about your bedroom. What kind of environment are you sleeping in? Do you have a ton of distractions? What is the air quality in your home like? Poor air quality in your home can disturb your sleeping greatly.
Consider your habits before bed. Do you scroll your phone before you sleep? The blue light from your devices can disturb your sleep-wake cycle, which will make it harder for you to fall asleep. Snacking before bed can also impact your ability to fall asleep, especially if you are eating caffeine and sugar.
Diet and Exercise
Maintaining a balanced diet and getting proper exercise is the most common suggestion when it comes to taking care of your physical health. It can be difficult to fit in an intense workout schedule, but that’s not necessary. Even small amounts of exercise can give you noticeable health benefits. Combining exercise with a balanced and regular diet can give you improvements in focus and energy.
Breathing Exercises
Practicing breathing exercises is just one way that you can reduce stress. Mindful breathing is an example of one of these exercises. This is when you maintain focus on your breathing for a certain amount of time. It’s a great way to reduce stress and anxiety.
The 4-7-8 breathing exercise is a common strategy for reducing stress. It acts as a natural tranquilizer for your nervous system. When you first practice it, it’s recommended to do it while sitting with your back straight. You can perform it in bed once you get more familiar with it. Here’s how it goes:
- Place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth.
- Fully exhale through your mouth, making a “whoosh” sound.
- Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
- Fully exhale through your mouth (making the “whoosh” sound) for 8 seconds.
Final Thoughts
While these strategies can help you care for your mental and physical health, managing your indoor air is another way to ensure your health. It may not seem like it, but having clean and healthy air in your home can prevent viruses, improve your focus, and more. Contact us today if you need any help improving the health of your home. We’d love to help you!