Self Care Sunday - Your day to Relax, Recharge and Reset
Sunday Scaries? Not here! Let’s talk about Self Care Sunday.
Sunday is considered a day of rest in most Western countries. Whether you view it as the start of the week or end of the weekend, Sunday is the perfect day to relax, recharge, and reset. What better way to relax, recharge and prepare for a busy week ahead by engaging in self care Sunday?
What is Self Care?
Everyone always talks about the importance of self care. But what is self care, exactly? It is in the term itself - caring for one’s self by promoting health and preventing disease. It’s everything we do for ourselves that makes us feel balanced and clear-headed in a world filled with stress and anxiety. Self care is all about the mind, body and soul. It’s everything we do for ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
Why is Self Care Important and What are the Benefits of Self Care?
We often practice self care when we find ourselves in a difficult, stressful situation. Rather, the best way to practice self care is before we find ourselves in these situations. Preventative self care is the best way to maintain our health and well-being, and also to prevent burnout. As Benjamin Franklin famously put it, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
In a society where life revolves around working crazy long hours, multiple jobs, and/or juggling various plates at once, we frequently find ourselves burnt out and stressed out. When left untreated, we can become resentful, negative and even depressed. Often, that’s when we decide we need time to ourselves to hit that reset button and ultimately to destress. By regularly practicing self care, we can better cope with daily stressors, anxiety, and we can remain at ease.
Whatever you may be dealing with, whether it’s rude customers, screaming babies, potty training puppies, or crazy drivers during your commute home, the best thing you can do for yourself is to set some time aside for you and engage in things that fuel your soul.
But let me guess, you have no time, right?… Make the time!
Whether it’s twenty minutes a day or a couple of hours every Sunday, make the time to focus on you. Make yourself a priority!
Trust me when I say, I get it! We all want to utilize our time effectively and productively, but things happen in life that can throw off our routine. Regularly engaging in self care is a perfect way to reset and has even proven to increase productivity. Self care routines have also proven to reduce anxiety, increase happiness, and improve energy and overall well-being. Doesn’t that sound like a no-brainer?!
Life is all about balance; balancing the things we want to do and the things that we have to do.
Self care is essential for everyone. It’s about you and giving yourself a little love and attention. Self care isn’t selfish, nor is it a luxury; it is necessary for our well-being and we must make it a priority.
The best, most effective way to practice self care is regularly engaging in a routine. What does that routine look like? Well that all depends on you. It’s up to you whether you practice self care Sunday or self care daily. It’s not something you do once and check off your to-do-list. It’s an ongoing practice that we must regularly engage in. It’s not a one size fits all. What works for some, may not work for others. To practice self care, see what works best for you by determining what you find fulfilling.
Are you familiar with the term, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? If you’re constantly running on empty, how can you properly care for and give to those around you? When we give ourselves the necessary time to reset, we can put our best foot forward for those around us as well.
30 Self Care Sunday ideas that you can start practicing today!
Read. Set aside time to read a book you’ve always wanted to read. Two personal favorites are Progress Over Perfection which is an easy read about goals and mindful productivity; and Atomic Habits, the power of tiny changes that lead to remarkable results.
Journal. Daily logs can allow you to focus on releasing what’s inside. It also allows you to go back and realize how far you have grown.
Do a face mask. Not only is this relaxing, but who doesn’t love the glow and soft skin after a face mask? (My favorite is AlumierMD’s enzymatic peel that leaves my skin feeling soft and supple!)
Take a short break from social media. It’s no wonder we can scroll on social media for hours and play the comparison game. Comparison is the route of all evil!
Take a bath using epsom salt baths that are both soothing and relaxing.
Get out of your comfort zone and try something new! You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do, well go do it!
Turn off your phone and unplug. Enjoy the silent time you have to yourself.
Compliment someone. Who doesn't love a compliment? Pay it forward and compliment one person a day (and notice how much easier it is to do so!)
Write down your goals. Regularly reviewing your goals can help you stay on track, holds you accountable, and allows you to recognize the progress that you’ve made. And remember, strive for progress, not perfection!
Use essential oils. Lavender is known to be relaxing and can combat anxiety.
Complete a puzzle, word-search, or sudoku. Did you know these can help boost your problem-solving skills?
Perform acts of kindness to those around you. Have fun with this one! Some examples are: pay for the car behind you at Dunkin, make a yummy treat for your coworkers, or let cars pass in front of you while driving.
Engage in physical activity. Simply go for a walk, hike, bike, or any other form of exercise that you enjoy.
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. We all are familiar with the effects of lack of sleep. These include but are not limited to, increased risk of heart disease, depression, weight gain, inflammation, irritability and sickness. Yikes! Chronic sleep deprivation can even affect your appearance, causing dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. Go hit the pillow and get some zzz’s!
Try practicing stretching or yoga. Yoga is the ultimate mind-body-soul connection.
Engage in deep breathing exercises. Did you know performing deep breathing can reduce anxiety and slow down your heart rate?
Get a massage. Who doesn’t love a relaxing or deep tissue massage to relieve some built up tension?
Get yourself a manicure and/or pedicure. Not only do your nails look great, but it’s also good to pamper yourself every once in a while!
Take a 20 minute power nap to recharge. Research shows that a good nap helps with alertness and enhances creativity.
Fuel your body with healthy foods. Try eating more plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, and less fried foods, preservatives, and junk!
Meditate. Meditation has proven to reduce stress and enhance self-awareness.
Practice self-love affirmations. This has shown to shift negative energy into positive energy, and also boosts self-confidence.
Change the screensaver of your phone to something that makes you smile.
Pray/Manifest. Whether you believe in God, Buddha, or law of attraction, believing in a higher power can promote healing and wellness. What you put out into the universe will come back to you.
Watch a comedy and enjoy a good laugh. Without a doubt, laughing is known to be good for the soul.
Splurge on yourself! Whether it’s your favorite cheesecake, a new outfit or a day at the spa, spend the money and treat yourself. You deserve it!
Practice Gratitude. Have a gratitude log and write one thing every day that you are grateful for.
Smile more. Did you know that even when you fake a smile, it tricks your body into thinking you are happy? Go out there and show those pearly whites!
Declutter your home. Getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel more relaxed, happier, and more in control. You can even donate this stuff to someone who needs it more than you do!
Plan a getaway. Whether it’s just a day, a few days, or a week, plan a trip to relax and unwind. Sometimes pressing pause will help you feel refreshed, recharged and motivated to get back to your daily grind.
As quoted by Melissa Larson, “a Sunday well spent brings a week of content.” Whether you decide to engage in self care Sunday or self care every day, it’s important to turn these practices into a routine. Engaging in self care allows us to reset, recharge, and also increases our overall health and well-being. Life is meant to be enjoyed and it’s important to have balance. It’s also important to be patient and kind to yourself. Start self care today by starting with one idea mentioned above. Start today. Which will you try first?
XO, Pure Bliss Aesthetics
