It has never been a more important time to start getting into good self-care habits.
In a world where bad news seems to filter through every day, we have to take some steps to improve our mental well-being.
That doesn't mean we have to spend lavishly on holidays and spa days. There are plenty of smaller self-care tips to follow that can become part of a daily routine.
Start small with a foundation to build on and go from there. Here are some ideas to follow.
Wellbeing & mental state
We all get affected by stress. It could be caused by work, family issues, or financial concerns - there is just no escaping the hustle and bustle of life at times.
Which is why is so important to focus on a little self-care and mental well-being.
Build a self-care routine for the morning and evening, be it a beauty routine or taking time for yourself to read or listen to music or your favourite podcast.
Try setting yourself goals. This could include setting smaller, achievable daily goals, something in the medium such as completing a certain amount of steps walked in a week, or setting yourself a longer goal, using small targets along the way to reach your endpoint.
Maybe get into walking. You don't have to walk miles, you could find a local park or reservoir to walk around. You could go on longer hikes if that's what takes your fancy, and possibly even consider joining walking clubs.
Journaling is a good way to chart your feelings. Keep a diary of your day, writing down how you were feeling in certain situations. Just writing them out can be a good release but also give you a view of where you can target steps to improve your well-being.
And you should try to drink more water where possible. Drinking plenty of water has benefits to the joints and digestive system, can also improve your performance during exercise, and help with weight loss.
Beauty & cosmetics
The trend of clean girl aesthetic is to do with beauty, fashion, and lifestyle to appear elegantly casual but in a minimalist and effortless way.
This can start with a good skincare routine, which is essential to keeping skin looking its best.
Cleanse your face every morning and night to keep skin looking clear, exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, and give you a radiant glow. Use serums to target specific problems, moisturise your face, use face masks once a week to boost hydration, and consider using a water flosser for a bright smile to complement your features.
Other easy tips include grooming and shaping your eyebrows and apply lip products such as lipstick or lip gloss.
And you could also do some home manicures or pedicures - focusing on your nails, or nourishing the hands to keep them looking hydrated and fresh.
Don’t force yourself
Most importantly, remember not to force yourself to do anything.
It is good practice to have a good self-care routine, but that has to be specific to you.
You don't need to force yourself to be social and outgoing if you're not in the mood due to feeling too tired mentally or physically, or if you are more introverted by nature.
Self-care is about looking after your own needs, not forcing yourself into situations where you feel uncomfortable.
