Step Up Your Self-Care Routine Now!

As we enter the peak of summer, it’s safe to say that we’re already halfway through the year!

For some of us, this might be exciting, as we’re just a little closer to the holidays. But if the mid-year mark is leaving you feeling stressed about the things you still need to accomplish, you’re not alone.

But before you kick your productivity into overdrive, let’s revisit our foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle so we can work toward our goals in a healthy way.

Of course, we’re talking about our self-care routines! Here are some ways in which we can all step up and revitalize our self-care routines for summer.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a “morning person,” waking up early offers benefits for all of us.

For starters, you’re creating more time for yourself when you wake up early–especially if you live with other people. Having an extra moment of solitude in your day is a wonderful way to give yourself more head space, whether it’s to prepare for your day, catch up on work, or simply to sip your coffee a little slower.

And if you’re a commuter, waking up early can also save you some time in traffic, which is a huge stressor for many of us.

Then, of course, waking up early means you have more time to exercise, which is actually the next step in our self-care routine!

We’re all aware of the benefits that come with exercise: endorphins for a better mood and lower stress levels, not to mention maintaining a healthy weight, cardiovascular health, and much more.

But if you’re struggling to accomplish your daily workout, consistency is the key to everything. Whether it’s daily or twice a week, setting your exercise at the same time of the day can help you stick with it.

According to one 2019 study, researchers found that the participants who exercised at the same time several days a week logged more workouts and committed more time each week to exercise than people whose workout times varied.

When you wake up in the morning, do you make a conscious effort to focus on your daily goals?

All too often, we might start our days with a drive to complete grand plans and goals, only to struggle, become distracted, and find ourselves in the evenings with little accomplished.

If this sounds like something you’ve gone through, try setting daily intentions.

Setting conscious daily intentions is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track so you can meet your goals, and finish your day feeling satisfied and proud of yourself. Intentions provide us with a focal point as we progress through our work, so no matter the project, your head is in it.

Aside from boosting focus, setting daily intentions can also help start the day with a sense of positivity, since you’re focusing on your aspirations and what’s to come, rather than your past, and you’re permitting yourself to focus more on the positive aspects of life.

Your daily intention can be anything that resonates with you and your future in a profound way, and it should be something that you can repeat throughout the day.

And while a daily intention is a very personal thing, here are some possible intentions if you struggle to think of any of your own:

Today, I intend to…

• Be present.

• Focus on productivity.

• Love myself.

• Consider others.

• Act with gratitude.

• Experience new things.

• Be kind to myself.

We’ve all heard it before: “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But as it turns out, there’s quite a bit of truth to this sentiment.

As you might glean from the name, “breakfast” is literally the meal that breaks our fast–in other words, the overnight fasting period we undergo when we sleep. Breakfast restores your glucose supply to replenish your energy level, while providing your body with the essential nutrients needed for a healthy day.

But even with the benefits that breakfast can offer, there are many individuals who still skip it, whether for lack of time, or a low appetite. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to incorporate breakfast in a way that works for your day, whether it’s overnight oats, toast with nut butter, some fruit, or even a healthy protein bar you can take on the go.

From illustrious artists to industry innovators, great minds have been journaling all throughout the ages, recording their thoughts, experiences, and feelings. And it’s no wonder that mental health experts will often recommend that we as individuals keep our own journals, as well.

And before you shy away from the task of it, first consider what you can get from it. Journaling comes with a number of benefits, including managing anxiety, tracking progress, and even strengthening memory.

On top of that, remember that this doesn’t have to feel like a chore. If summarizing the day feels too tedious, you can simply jot down your day in bullet points, and focus on your thoughts and feelings instead.

And if writing, in general, isn't your thing, allow your visual creativity to take over, and feel free to doodle! Plus, you’ll be in league with the likes of Frida Kahlo and Da Vinci; much of their own journals were made up of illustrations!

If stress is often what’s standing between you and your happiness, meditating, or simply practicing mindfulness, may be helpful.

Meditation is something that anyone can practice, and just a few minutes a day can help restore your sense of inner calm. Best of all, it’s free, and there’s no need for fancy equipment, although there are some guided meditation apps that can offer a lot of help to those who struggle to focus.

Whether you’re out on a walk, at your desk, or even in your kitchen making tea, meditation is something that can be done anytime, anywhere, and benefits can include:

• A heightened sense of awareness

• Building stress management skills

• Lowered resting heart rate

• Better focus

• Better sleep

As we all know by now, hydration is key to a self-care routine, and it’s something that we should practice every single day.

According to Harvard Medical School, water is essential for a number of key functions in the body, including flushing out bacteria, aiding digestion, transporting nutrients, cushioning joints, and regulating organ function.

So make sure to drink plenty of water before and after sleeping, and to keep a glass or bottle of water nearby throughout your day.

And while you’re at it, try reaching more for your water glass than your coffee cup. Americans are drinking more caffeine than ever, and most of us are drinking way too much. And while a cup of coffee can offer health benefits for brain function and metabolism, it has its downsides as well, such as spiking stress levels and potentially disrupting hormone levels.

We often find ourselves caught up in the daily grind of our careers, aspirations, and goals. And while we should never lose sight of what we’re working toward, it’s vitally important to take care of ourselves.

Self-care is more than a weekly face mask or a tall glass of water–it’s a tool that we can use to create balance in our lives. At the end of the day, it’s important that we all find a self-care routine that works for you, so you can stick with it.