Elevate Your Wellness Routine: 7 Self-Care Habits for 2024
As we continue to ride out the pandemic, it’s super important to prioritize our health and wellness. If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us (me?), it’s that self-care shouldn’t be an afterthought. There are several simple, affordable, and easy ways to ensure that we’re taking good care of ourselves during these trying times. So, here’s a list of my top 7 wellness tips for 2024 and beyond! Remember, self-care is not selfish, it’s a must. Be good to yourself, you deserve it:
Sleep
Sleep is everything. If you can, try to average 8 hours a night. Sleep helps with a wide spectrum of wellness faculties: It’s anti-aging, it helps to improve immune function, and it boosts our mood, memory, and cognition. Plus, quality rest helps our digestion and overall sense of well-being too. We all know how good it feels to get a good night’s sleep. All you have to do is be more disciplined about it. Added tip: Shut off all screens an hour before you sleep. Studies show that shutting off our technology at least an hour before we snooze greatly improves the quality of our sleep. Put down the phone and pick up a book!
More YOU time
You mustn’t equate self-care with being selfish. Quite the contrary, prioritizing time for yourself is so important for your mind, body, and soul. Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you de-stress. Maybe that’s going for a walk, taking a hike, reading a book, listening to music or podcasts, taking a bath, or even putting on your favorite face mask. Whatever brings you inner peace and calm, do it! Try to do one thing a day that’s just for you. It will make a huge difference!
Hydrate
While this may sound super obvious, hydration is everything. Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins from the body and aids in cell renewal. Choose water, herbal teas, and non-sugary drinks. Coconut water is a great go-to for ultimate hydration and is packed with natural electrolytes. For those needing a more immediate boost, IV hydration therapy can be an effective option, delivering fluids directly into the bloodstream for rapid hydration. This method is particularly beneficial for recovery after intense physical activity or overcoming dehydration caused by illness.
Eat well
We hear it all the time: you are what you eat! It’s so true, and that’s why you should always opt for colorful plates and nutrient-dense foods daily. Make sure you’re getting all the protein, fruits, and vegetables you need. Everybody is different, so listen to your body and choose your food wisely. Meal planning is a great way to help manage your diet and ensure you’ve got good food choices around. Eating clean will not only help digestion and stress but will give you a lot of clarity of mind too.
Manage your stress
Sure, we’ll never be completely stress-free, but managing your stress will lead to increased levels of sleep and overall health and help your emotional well-being. While stress is, at times, unavoidable, it’s great to look to meditation, yoga, exercise, or whatever techniques work for you to calm your nervous system. Maybe it’s as simple as doing some breathing exercises and taking a bath. Find what works for you, and don’t forget to take deep breaths throughout the day!
Protect your skin
As science has progressed, we’ve learned a lot more about the effects of our environment on our skin. We also know that excessive toxins like alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and tobacco are hugely detrimental to our skin. The skin is the biggest organ in the body — respect it! Wear SPF when you’re in the sun, cut out toxic face washes, opt for all-natural products, and eliminate any triggers in your diet/daily regime that will cause inflammation or breakouts.
Laugh it off
Did you know that laughter triggers the endorphins (aka those feel-good, health-enhancing hormones)? Don’t forget to laugh. Whether that means picking up the phone and laughing with your BFF or watching some of your favorite comedies, make sure you get those belly laughs in. Because laughter is the best medicine!
Looking for a mindful movement routine? Here are a few easy yoga poses to get you started.