The global pandemic that changed the way we live in 2020 has had a huge affect on many people’s mental health, and understandably so. So many folks lost their jobs and in turn their homes. Others put on excessive amounts of weight or started drinking way too much. Some broke up with their long term partners after finding that being with them 24/7 was driving them nuts. No matter what kind of a year you had, we are in a new one now and it’s time for some much needed self care. Here are some self care rituals you should definitely try out this year.
Hot Baths
Showers are great for washing off the grime of the day, but baths are a whole different level of relaxation. Whether you are trying to move on after a breakup or are stressed about your job hunt, try lighting some candles and pouring in some bubble bath. Sink into the hot water and let all your troubles melt away.
Early Bedtimes
You didn’t see your friends all year, so no one will blame you for wanting to see them as much as possible once things open back up. But remember to take care of yourself, and part of doing that as an adult is getting enough sleep. Try going to bed a couple hours earlier than you usually do for a week or so and see how you feel. You might find that an early bedtime is just the type of self care that you need.
Drinking Water
Your head constantly aches, you feel sluggish and on edge. It might be because you’re stressed about your finances or have a big deadline coming up at work, or it could just be that you’re dehydrated. If you’re the type of person that forgets to drink water, set an alarm on your phone to remind you. Drink as much as possible throughout the day and you will immediately notice positive changes in yourself, both physically and spiritually.
Social Media Detox
Especially during a time when our lives looked quite a bit different than how we ever imagined they would look, social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok became very toxic spaces for many people. If you ever catch yourself “doom-scrolling”, stalking an ex, or just wasting hours on social media looking at who knows what, a detox may be in order for you.
Try taking a week off. You may find that you enjoy not being so attached to the computer in your pocket and your life may be a lot more calm when you’re not constantly comparing your life to those of others.
Everyone is different and we all cope differently with the challenges life presents us with, but the tips above have proven helpful for many people who need to give themselves a little extra tender loving care. So why not give them a try? Put yourself first and everything else will fall into place.
