5 Self-Care Practices To Incorporate Into Your Daily Routine

One of the easiest things to do in this life is to lose yourself. As women, we often find that it is much simpler to appease others than to advocate for and create our own happiness. With each day bringing a bevy of new challenges and ever-shifting priorities, it can feel like we just can’t catch a break, for real. Of course, we all know what happens when we don’t consider our needs or make time for self-preservation...we feel like we are losing, and ultimately, we can lose ourselves. But, Sis, that does not have to be your story. Not at all…

You can improve your outlook and make caring for your needs a definitive in your life. It just takes a true commitment and willingness to make YOURSELF a priority. Here are 5 self-care practices that you can incorporate into your daily routine:

You’ve Got To Move It, Move It!

There is no way that you can get through this life with a healthy mind and body without moving around. Doing some type of exercise is almost primal. It’s totally natural for you to want to do physical things. While you may not be ready to just jump up and run a marathon if you have not been very active, you may want to try something that you can ease into like yoga, dancing, or walking a few times a week. Before you know it, that marathon could become a realistic goal! When you move, all types of awesome stuff is going on in your body, and these changes will, in turn, have major health benefits for you. So, get moving, Sis!

Be Honest With Yourself

Keeping it 100 with ourselves is probably one of the hardest things to do. But, it’s also one of the most emotionally and mentally beneficial self-care practices that we can engage in. By being honest, you are making the effort to consider your feelings in certain situations and not just the feelings of others. 

You should be able to speak your truth and LIVE your truth. Being honest with ourselves helps us to identify areas that we can improve upon in our lives, as well as to recognize when people or situations are having an adverse affect on us. In other words, you can see the forest for the trees, and you can adapt accordingly, as opposed to ignoring your own feelings and accepting any old thing that life throws at you. Toxic people, toxic environments, whatever it is, by honest, you will feel more empowered when dealing with them or letting them go.

Do New, Boo!

Part of your daily self-care regime should be to explore your interests. Learning about new things and trying new things has an amazing effect on our minds and spirit. It can make you feel absolutely wonderful to reach out and stretch your mind and ability. The excitement, and sometimes fear, of getting out of our comfort zone is a phenomenal way to create opportunities for your personal growth. Whether you are gathering new skills for your career or just want to do something off the chain that you’ve never done before, do it, Sis! You only live once. You deserve to pursue things that make you happy and that can make life even more satisfying.

Stay Hydrated

Allowing dehydration to set in is one of the most destructive things that we can do to our bodies. Every part of us needs water and needs to stay hydrated. To keep your melanin poppin’ and your hair on point, water HAS to be a part of your daily ritual. Drink that water to help your body perform at its optimal level. Dehydration will cause you to drag, can hamper your thinking, and can make your skin look straight crusty. True queens can’t live like that. It’s not natural for us! 

Detach and Detox

Breaking off from the rat race might be a tall order. But, it’s necessary. Making time for quiet moments, void of technology and outside distractions, is a self-care must do. Being able to simply exist, in your own space, with your own thoughts can be very cleansing from the daily rigors of life. Detaching from things and people will give you the chance to breathe. Spiritually, detoxing through meditation or prayer can help bring life, and more importantly, your own needs into perspective. 

It is very easy to fall into that “trap” of putting your self-care on the backburner. With the demands of life, it can happen. That being said, you don’t want to live like that. Beloved Queen, you matter. Your health matters. Your sense of self matters. Your needs matter. Sis, remember that and don’t accept anything less from yourself!