5 Physical Self-Care Ideas
Self-care is not a new term. Yet, nowadays we hear it more often as a big buzzword- such as in podcasts, or we can read about this subject on various blogs, social media, or in self-development books. Still, you might be wondering what self-care actually means anyways. If we want to put it simply: self-care can include any activity that you do in order to take care of yourself and be healthy (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually).
Sounds easy right? In theory- for sure! In reality, many of us are completely guilty of neglecting our self-care!
Although without a doubt all aspects of your health are important, today we will focus on physical self-care ideas. In the following, we will discuss why taking care of your physical health is vital and I will also share with you 5 awesome physical self-care ideas that you can add to your self-care routine. (One of my personal favorite forms of self-care!) Thus, you will know what you need to do to feel your absolute best!
The importance of physical self-care
When it comes to physical self-care, you may be practicing it to some extent and just don’t realize it (or may be you’re totally neglecting it these days!). This is because any action you take to care for your body and your bodily needs is considered as part of physical self-care. For example, when you do things like eating a healthy dinner, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, exercising, putting on a face mask, or taking a relaxing bath, all these activities serve your physical well-being. Plus, they overlap with boosting your mental health as well- a win-win 😉
Paying attention to your physical health not only ensures the normal functioning of your body, but also influences your emotional and mental health (they all affect each other for sure!). Therefore, it’s worth spending time caring for your body and intentionally do things to promote a healthy quality of life.
It’s important to note here that physical self-care doesn’t equal basic hygiene. Even though many people think so! Self-care is about so much more than basic hygiene!
Related read: 10 Ways to Be Good to Yourself
5 physical self-care ideas you must try
If you are ready to begin your self-care journey, then taking care of your physical body can be a great starting point. Fortunately, there are plenty of self-care activities so you can choose from many options. Even if you can dedicate only a few minutes a day to these activities, I challenge you to get started and practice self-care. You won’t regret it!
Below you will find some great physical self-care ideas to try.
1. Get moving
Getting your heart rate up with exercise is one of the best ways to practice self-care. This is because when you get moving your body endorphins. These chemicals are also called “feel-good hormones” since they act as a happiness booster and also help relieve pain. Thus, it’s easy to see why you may feel much better after a workout at home or in the gym.
Plus, there are many other benefits of regular exercise that you may recognize only after a time. Just to mention a few of these benefits:
- better weight management
- lower risk of heart attack, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer
- lower blood cholesterol level
- stronger muscles, bones, and joints
- lower blood pressure
- and many more!
If you are currently leading an active lifestyle and you work out regularly, then congratulations! Keep exercising and you will see that the hard work will pay off.
However, if you aren’t really used to exercise, it’s time to get started. Go on a walk, use the stairs instead of the elevator, or go to a gym near you and sign up for a few classes. Regardless of which step you make first, the important thing is to start somewhere and stick to your exercise routine.
Related read: The Gift of Wellness: My Wish List
2. Get enough sleep
Getting enough and adequate sleep at night is crucial for your basic bodily functions. When you sleep, your body can do the work it was naturally designed for: for example, digest the food you have eaten, balance your hormones, and detox. For these reasons, getting enough high quality sleep is considered one of the most essential self-care ideas regarding physical health.
To help you get enough rest and quality sleep, consider the following tips:
- Set a consistent sleep schedule – This includes that you prioritize sleep and develop a habit of going to bed consistently at the same time (yes, that means weekends too when possible!).
- Exercise – Improve your sleep by working out regularly.
- Focus on de-stressing yourself – Meditate, take a relaxing bath, read, journal, listen to soothing music, etc. All of these are great for reducing daily stress!- particularly right before bedtime.
- Optimize your bedroom for sleep – Invest in a comfortable mattress, get some blackout curtains, keep electronics out, and buy a scented candle.
- Cultivate a healthy bedtime routine – Unplug from your electronic devices 30-60 minutes before sleep, dim your lights, and focus on relaxation.
Hopefully, these tips will help you develop healthy sleep habits and get better sleep at night.
Related read: Self-Care Night Ideas- A Perfect Friday
3. Stay hydrated
The next one on our list of physical self-care ideas is staying hydrated. You may be thinking that drinking water is so obvious, why do I even need to talk about it? But the truth is that many people don’t pay attention to their daily water intake and this can easily lead to dehydration. When you become dehydrated, you can experience a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, low blood pressure, fatigue, and even sleepiness.
Throughout the day, remind yourself multiple times to drink water. – You can simply set a reminder on your phone or download a habit tracker application that will automatically notify you when you need to drink. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water (8-ounce glass) a day to avoid dehydration and help your body work properly- or follow the pee rule and make sure its light yellow.
4. Eat healthy, nutrient-dense foods
Making the right lifestyle choices throughout the day can help you feel your best. This also includes eating healthy, nutrient-dense foods instead of unhealthy highly-processed foods (for example, junk foods) that provide you only with empty calories. Aim to develop a balanced diet where most of the calories you consume come from the following foods:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Legumes
- Lean proteins
- Whole grains
- Nuts.
The best is if you can fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits, and the other half with grains and protein foods. Then, add some dairy/non-dairy alternatives to dairy products. This way, you can ensure that you get all the nutrients that your body needs. Plus, you can enjoy the amazing health benefits a healthy diet can bring you.
Sometimes self-care might warrant splurging on your favorite junk food. Yet, the truth is that eating foods that make your whole body feel good- and not just your taste buds- is a much better long strategy to feeling your best no matter what stresses come your way. You will find your physical, mental, AND emotional health will be much more resilient with the right foods. For example, I notice I am much less reactive to my daughter when I am eating well and keeping my sugar intake to a minimum!
5. Create a calming environment at home
Living in a home filled with clutter where you don’t feel well is definitely not good for your health. Therefore, create a calming, clutter-free environment at home where you can relax after a long day at work.
Make sure to get rid of all the unnecessary items (you can donate them to someone!), organize your kitchen counter, clean your shelves, organize your closet, open your windows to get some fresh air, and add some new decor items that would make you love your space. (For me, that means pictures of family, an empty clean sink, and lots of plants!)
Related read: Awesome and Easy Self-Care Day Ideas
Every small act counts
When it comes to our health, every small act counts. Thus, even if you don’t have so much time to take care of yourself, try to incorporate in your life some self-care rituals (even small ones!) and practice them regularly.
Above we have reviewed 5 awesome physical self-care ideas that are worth trying. But there are many more you can add to your self-care routine and can help to improve your health! Have a cup of tea, do breathing exercises, get a massage, dance, go to nature, or just simply enjoy the sunshine. 🙂
Which self-care activities would you engage in for your physical health?
