THE GIFT OF SELF-CARE
Taking care of your emotional and physical well-being is essential when it comes to maintaining overall good health and longevity but can seem trivial when you are dealing with the stressful problems and challenges of everyday living.
Sticking to a simple self-care routine can meet your basic human needs, giving you the time and space to ease worry and fatigue, boost your happiness, and increase your overall energy.
Create a Self-Care Strategy
There are multiple self-care activities that you could consider, but focus on areas that you think will work for you without feeling guilty about taking time for yourself. You may find that you need to concentrate on your sleeping habits first. Others might need to clean up their diets and step-up their exercise regimes.
Exercise – a regular exercise routine can help reduces stress and contributes towards a healthy body. Simply walking for 30 minutes every day is a great place to start but find an activity that you both enjoy and can work into your routine. There are a multitude of online courses and training modules available for all levels of fitness. Seek advice from your GP or healthcare provider before taking on a new exercise programme.
Recovery routine – massage MYO2 Recovery Gel into your muscles before and after training or a race. In addition to Arnica (which is a well-known anti-inflammatory) MYO2 contains Horse Chestnut. The active components of Horse Chestnut (escin and flavonoids) are anti-inflammatory while also toning and strengthening blood vessel walls. This enhances the recovery of damaged or inflamed soft tissue, providing pain relief.
Sleep – developing a calming pre-bedtime routine may help those who are too stressed to sleep properly. Avoid caffeine and food directly before bedtime. Remove devices from your bedside table and line your curtains to darken your room.
A healthy diet – stress can trigger under- or over-eating, but in most cases, people will crave sugars, carbohydrates and fats. A bad diet can result in serious health complications and emotional difficulties. It might help to replace your favourite ‘go-to’ snacks with nutritious options: try sliced apple spread with a little peanut butter or a handful of blueberries instead of a chocolate bar, for example. Don’t buy unhealthy treats that will tempt you; cook fresh, in-season produce at home and eat smaller portions.
Socialise – make time to chat to family and friends over the phone or online. Exercising outdoors with others may be the encouragement you need to increase your social interaction while remaining active. Joining a community initiative or volunteering for an organization may increase your circle of friends and give your life more purpose.
Self-care has both short and long-term benefits and can have a positive impact on your health and quality of life.
