Think about the safety speech you hear every time you’re on a plane. If you’re traveling with other people who might need your help in case of an emergency, the flight attendants tell you to be sure to secure your own oxygen mask before anyone else.
Why?
They say it’s because if you try to help others without ensuring your own safety first, you might pass out.
The same logic can be applied to your everyday life. So the question is: have you invested in taking care of yourself?
This Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, make sure to take some time to do so. While ALG Vacations® is going out of their way to appreciate you, you should do the same for yourself.
I realize many people shy away from the term “self-care” because they assume the notion is founded on ideas of selfishness or a lack of caring about others. But self-care is a generalized term used to describe things you do for yourself to make yourself feel good. Self-care is critical to our mental health and emotional state of well-being and essential to our lives. It’s simply the focus of being kind to oneself.
When you prioritize yourself, you not only ensure you are the best “you” possible, but you reinvigorate yourself. You have more energy and joy to give in other areas of your life. And when you’re able to care for yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally, you become better able to pursue your goals and enrich the lives of the people around you.
Here are some self-care ideas if you’re looking for ways to increase your well-being.
GET PHYSICAL
We often overlook our physical health, but the mind/body connection can’t be denied. When your body feels healthy and strong, your mood soars, and when you’re in a great emotional state, it shows in how you move your body. Make it a point to regularly engage in physical activities you love. Whether it’s going for a run, a walk, swimming, or attending a yoga class, changing your physical state from sedentary to active is a simple and fulfilling way to take care of yourself.
CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
It’s hard to feel fulfilled when you’re constantly focusing on the negatives in life.
Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, learn to adopt an mindset of abundance. This is perhaps the most life-changing self-care practice you can incorporate into your life. Reframing your thoughts is a deliberate practice that takes time, but if you’re able to accomplish it, you’ll experience greater joy and fulfillment.
EAT NUTRITIOUS FOODS
When you think of self-care ideas as they pertain to food, you might envision treats like cupcakes, chips or mounds of savory, rich foods like lasagna or a juicy steak. While it’s certainly okay to treat yourself once in a while, you should envision self-care in the form of more nutritent-dense foods, like leafy greens, water, and items that will make you feel energetic and strong. Try cooking a healthy new recipe at home.
SAY “NO”
Between work and your personal life, it might feel like you’re always saying “yes” when people ask you for something. It can be rewarding to have a full calendar, but it’s also important to know when to say “no.” If you’re feeling run down or spread thin, grant yourself the ultimate luxury: downtime. By taking the necessary time needed to recharge, you’ll bolster your energy and be able to return to your regular schedule with increased energy and gusto.
PRACTICE FOCUS AND GRATITUDE
Self-care doesn’t have to involve making major changes to your lifestyle – it can be as simple as finding a few minutes to reflect each morning. Instead of reaching for your phone or hitting the snooze button when you wake up, try a priming routine. This 10-minute exercise requires you to become conscious of your breathing, practice gratitude, visualize what you want and focus your newfound positive energy on accomplishing goals that are important to you. Creating a morning routine can help you to stay on track and centered throughout the day.
