SELFCARE 101: SMALL STEPS TO LIVING A HEALTHIER & HAPPIER LIFE

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle of everyday life.

Our alarm goes off in the morning and we test the boundaries of how many times we can press snooze before we force ourselves out of bed (unless you are one of those unicorns who only set one alarm, then kudos to you!). 

We eat breakfast (if we have time), rush off to work, to fetch the kids, to a meeting, or to something important. Our days fly by in hazes of panic, stress, deadlines and if we can make it, a few gym sessions here and there. 

Before we know it, we are back in bed and set our alarm for the next morning, only to do it all again. 

The hustle doesn’t stop. Does it?

The thing is, you need to remember to take some time out for yourself. And trust me, you deserve it. 

The great part about self-care is that it doesn’t have to be big changes, the trick is to start small. 

By implementing these small practices into your daily life, it will improve your overall wellbeing, help you deal with stress better and help you live a happier life. 

Here are 10 easy and simple steps to take care of yourself every day

1. Exercise every day

A little exercise can really go a long way in reducing anxiety and stress. Even something as small as a brisk morning walk. 

Staying motivated isn’t always easy. Have a look at our expert guide to finding the oomph you need!

Incorporate exercise into your daily life, and pretty soon, it will become a habit. And a healthy one at that! 

Maybe you only have 20 minutes while dinner is in the oven, pop on a Yoga YouTube video and get into that downward dog! 

2. Learn to say no

It’s important to take time out for yourself. 

Maybe it’s staying in and binge-watching your favourite series instead of going to that dinner you were dreading or having a long hot bath. Sometimes, it’s okay to say no and put yourself first. 

You don’t want to spread yourself too thin, this will only create more stress in your life. 

Give yourself some downtime from time to time. 

3. Unplug from technology (we’re looking at you, Instagram)

The last thing we do before we hit the pillow and the first thing we do in the morning is to scroll the Gram, check Facebook updates, Snap, Tweet, share, email and post. We spend more of our free time on our phones than we realise. 

Before you get into bed at night, spend time writing or reading (yes, I mean a real book or Kindle will do). And when you wake up in the morning, take a few deep breaths and think 5 positive thoughts before you reach for your phone. 

It’s well worth it. 

4. Take time to meal prep and implement a healthy eating plan

So many people think that healthy eating means bland food which mostly consists of chicken, rice and broccoli (yuck!). 

Well, I am here to tell you that there are so many delicious, healthy and easy ways to eat healthily. 

Have a look at these 3 healthy meals to share with friends. And if you are feeling a little overwhelmed as to where to start with healthy eating, well, that’s where WellBe comes in. 

Drop us a line and we can create a yummy meal and training plan tailored just for you. 

The first step to healthy eating is to cut down on the amount of refined carbs and sugar you eat and include more whole grains, veggies and protein. 

5. Eat smaller, more frequent meals

This ties into the point above. Eating smaller more frequent meals is a great way to prevent that tired and sluggish feeling you get after eating a big meal. 

6. Meditate

A quick 5 or 10-minute meditation can make the world of difference! Before you start your day, take a few moments to breathe deep and set positive intentions for your day. 

There are some great (and free) meditation apps out there to help guide the process.  

7. Drink more water 

I can’t stress the importance of water enough. Over 60% of our bodies are made of water, we need to ensure we replenish it! 

You should drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day. 

8. Get good sleep (and enough of it)

Exercising, eating healthy, meditating and drinking water are all great ways to have a great night’s sleep. 

Lack of sleep leads to stress, weight gain and mood swings. 

Make sure you get between 6 and 8 hours of sleep a night. Deep breathing techniques can help you have a good night’s sleep.  

9. Listen to music

Music can boost your brain’s production of the happy hormone known as dopamine. This increased happiness production can help in relieving feelings of depression and anxiety.

So, the next time life feels a little crazy, put on some music (from classical to rock – whatever you fancy), and zone out the world for a little while. 

10. Remind yourself that you are incredible! 

Don’t forget just how amazing you are! 

You have accomplished great things in life and deserve to implement these simple self-care steps to help you lead a happier and healthier life. 

Do something right now that makes your heart happy. You deserve it.