Because who doesn't love a little self pampering every now and then? Or all the time, no one is judging
Now, I can’t lie. I love having myself a nice bath with a colorful bath bomb, a nice candle and a good book. But that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Here are 5 other ways you can practice self-care without ever stepping foot in the tub.
1. Go for a walk
One of my favorite things to do on a nice day is take my dog for a walk. Walks have many benefits, three of them being that they give you time to clear your head and/or think, they give you a chance to get outside (much needed especially now) and if you walk for at least 30 minutes, you get some nice relaxed cardio (if exercise is your thing) in. My dog, Bear, especially loves going for walks because he gets to sniff everything every five seconds. So it’s a win win!
2. Take a nap
“But it’s raining!” – You. Well, guess what, I’ve got a solution for that too! Not only is rain extremely relaxing but it provides wonderful environment for many indoor activities. My personal favorite is napping. According to sleepfoundation.org - "Napping has psychological benefits. A nap can be a pleasant luxury, a mini-vacation. It can provide an easy way to get some relaxation and rejuvenation." If that's not enough of an excuse to take a nap, I don't know what is.
3. Bake Something Delicious
It is a widely known fact that the calories you consume when eating something you baked don't count, because you made them..Just kidding. Did you know that baking has been proven to be a stress reliever? According to an article by Insider, "Professor Donna Pincus, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, told The Huffington Post baking can allow people to express themselves creatively." (Read the article here - https://www.insider.com/baking-could-help-you-relieve-stress-2017-4)
I love making things from simple ingredients and watching them become something delicious that I can't wait to dive into. Not only do you get a delicious treat out of it, you also get to make your home smell wonderful. And baking is a good way to make friends!
4. Have a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate
Whether it's summer or winter, cold or hot outside, I love having a hot cup of coffee. Coffee is one of those things that just makes me feel better while I'm drinking it. I have a very high caffeine tolerance so it's not the energy buzz I'm looking for. Having a hot drink is comforting and puts me in a relaxed mood and on the opposite end of the spectrum, can help to make me want to be more productive.
If coffee isn't your thing, a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate also works! Tea, depending on the type, can also help with stress relief and helping you fall asleep.
5. Play a video game
While video games have been found to have a multitude of benefits - from improving coordination, problem solving skills, and attention and concentration - they also serve as a great stress reliever. Whether you prefer relaxing games like Animal Crossing or more action orientated games like Call of Duty or Dark Souls (although I've heard this one may be stress inducing), playing games is a great way to relax. Not only does the need to focus on the game get your mind off of other things, it can also help you to feel productive without actually doing something you may not want to do.
As an added benefit, you get to spend time with your friends without ever having to leave the safety of your house. Another win-win, I would say.
What are some of your ideas for self-care?
Sources:
Comments