Nourish your body & mind with these everyday self-care habits

So much of our physical and mental health comes down to our daily habits.

Sleep, exercise, nutrition, and proper downtime all contribute to a well-balanced lifestyle. But tackling the daily stresses of life and maintaining a level headspace often require some additional effort.

That’s where self-care routines come in.

These healthy habits are a way to connect with ourselves, relieve stress, and develop resiliency.

If you’re in need of a self-care overhaul or simply looking for some new ideas, check out this list of ten rejuvenating routines to add to your daily schedule.

1. LISTEN TO A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OR MOTIVATIONAL PODCAST

One of the best ways to grow your understanding of self-care and personal development is to learn from the best.

There are countless podcasts out there from some of the world’s top performers in sports, business, psychology, and more.

Listening to these pros talk about how they optimize their health and wellness can provide both motivation and inspiration for implementing self-care routines of your own.

2. CARVE OUT EXTRA TIME FOR YOURSELF

Busy schedules are the greatest enemy of self-care habits. These routines take time, which is often why people find it so hard to stick to them.

If your days are packed, make extra time during the day—whether first thing in the morning, during lunch, or before bed—to establish a self-care routine.

It can be as little as fifteen minutes. Just carve out some time to journal, breathe, or do a short yoga session. Just make sure not to cut into your sleep schedule!

3. CLEAN & DECLUTTER A SMALL AREA IN YOUR HOME

If your home environment could use it, decluttering your physical space may help balance out your mental space.

There’s no need to go into a cleaning frenzy, but the next time you have twenty to thirty minutes to spare, pick a small area in your home (the foyer, your desk, the bathroom, etc.) and tidy it up.

Working with your hands and seeing the progress you've made will give you something to be proud of. You could even take before and after pictures to compare the difference!

4. BREAK UP LONG BOUTS OF SITTING

In a previous article, we talked about how too much sitting can lead to an increased risk of weight gain, blood sugar complications, aches and discomfort, and more.

Whether at work or home, taking regular breaks from sitting (once every twenty to thirty minutes) is a crucial act of self-care. It allows your body to freely circulate blood, loosen up, and prevent various health issues from developing.

5. TAKE A SHORT WALK AFTER EVERY MEAL

Scientific research suggests that light physical activity after a meal—like a short walk—may aid digestion and help prevent colon health issues.

If you can spare an extra five minutes after breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this self-care routine can provide the above benefits as well as a nice mental break from all the hustle and bustle of daily life.

6. CALL SOMEONE YOU LOVE

When was the last time you caught up with a close friend or family member?

Chatting and laughing with someone you love isn’t just a great way to connect. It’s also a wholesome form of self-care that can recharge your batteries and put things into perspective.

We call that a win-win!

7. COOK YOURSELF A NUTRITIOUS MEAL

Whether it’s your favorite healthy dish or something new you’ve been meaning to try, whipping up a nutritious meal for yourself is the perfect way to nourish your mind and body.

It’s a chance to put love into something that’s just for you to enjoy.

So, go all out in the kitchen, cook as you would for a close friend or loved one, and savor every bite. This is an excellent idea for self-care Sunday or any day when you have a good bit of free time to work with.

8. LIMIT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE

It often happens before you even realize it. You have five seconds where nothing is taking up your attention, and before you know it, you’re three posts in on Instagram.

If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling on social media throughout the day, it might be time to consider limiting your usage.

Both Apple and Android phones come with screen time-limiting features, allowing you to set a custom time limit for certain apps.

This self-care routine can go a long way toward cultivating mindfulness around your phone usage and encourage you to live more fully in the moment.

9. WAIT AT LEAST AN HOUR TO USE YOUR PHONE IN THE MORNING

Many people roll over in bed and check their phones as soon as they wake up. And while this habit may not seem to have any drastic consequences, it can prime your mind for distraction first thing in the morning.

Rather than chasing that dopamine hit to start your day, make it a self-care routine to avoid your phone for the first hour after you wake up.

Instead, use that time to plan your day, meditate, stretch, or try one of the other everyday self-care habits on this list.

You just might find that you’re able to navigate your day with a greater sense of focus and intention.

10. BOOST YOUR RESILIENCY & VITALITY WITH DAILY BEMER THERAPY

If you have sixteen extra minutes a day, there’s no better way to spend them than with BEMER.

Just two eight-minute BEMER therapy sessions a day can lead to profound benefits that can completely transform your physical health and overall well-being.

This natural, non-invasive muscle stimulation device uses pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) technology to send a therapeutic signal through the body. This signal targets healthy muscle tissue for temporarily increased local blood flow, nutrient and oxygen delivery, and carbon dioxide removal.

When you use BEMER daily, these circulatory improvements prime your body to experience enhanced:

• Resiliency
• Well-being
• Stress reduction
• Energy and vitality
• Rest and relaxation
• Physical fitness
• Performance and recovery
• Strength and endurance

With three different applicators for full-body or targeted application and a portable battery and custom backpack for on-the-go use, BEMER is self-care made simple.