Now that the world has cautiously opened up again, I have been slowly ramping up travels, in-person events and overall general outings. After spending more than a year working from home, going back out required a bit of an adjustment. However, one thing I wanted to prioritize was my health and time for self-care given the current landscape of the world today. When you are confined indoors, staying on top of your wellbeing is easier thanks to elements like less distractions. Now that I am more social and active, I want to ensure that I am doing all I can to be aware of my body and my needs. I narrowed in on 5 self-care practices to keep me on track so I stay physically and mentally healthy while on-the-go.
Constant Hydration
I know these may seem like common sense but you would be surprised at how often the littlest things can slip your mind, especially when you are on a tight schedule. Drinking an ample amount of water can be overlooked. Before you know it, it is the end of the day and you barely took a sip of your water. As you know, H2O is crucial in digestive health. It flushes out toxins, clears up your skin, increases energy and so forth. This is why it is so vital to stay on top of getting your daily water intake. Experts recommend the 8×8 rule or 8 oz glasses (2 liters of half a gallon) per day.
To maximize my hydration, a good water bottle you can take with you everywhere is a must. Depending on your preferences, there are water bottles with time stamps, insulated technology, built-in infusers or even self-cleaning bottles. Whatever makes the most sense for your lifestyle so you can stay as healthy and hydrated as possible!
Daily Vitamins
A few posts ago, I revealed my must-have travel items including this little portable pill holder. As I got older, I realized how important supplements were in order to get a well-balanced intake of all the necessary vitamins and minerals on an everyday basis. Striving to get the perfect dosage amongst all my meals is really hard to achieve so this way is much more convenient, especially when out and about. You can take a multivitamin for the easiest one and done method. Or you can get a customized vitamin subscription with companies like Ritual or Take Care Of. I always pick and choose my vitamins and minerals with some of my must-haves being Vitamin C, calcium and collagen. As always, use your best judgement and consult your doctor for best practices.
Move Your Body
It is also really critical for me to get my body moving – even if it is for just a few minutes in a day. Admittedly, this is the health task I find myself pushing off the most because it can be hard to work out when you are away on a trip or have a densely packed schedule to follow. However, I really push myself to move at least some way throughout the day, whether that be a long walk after dinner or even a short 5 minute yoga video to start my day. Then, when I have more time on a less busy day, I will motivate myself to get a full workout by hitting the gym or going for a run.
Sleep
This is another obvious reminder but sleep is so incredibly important to creating a healthy foundation! Achieving enough shut eye at night allows for better mental clarity, more sustainable energy and general happiness. I needed this reminder more than anyone because I would definitely say I am a workaholic. I really had to tone down and better
define my own work hours. It felt like my work bled into my personal life, affecting the amount of sleep I would get. If you are busy or have an upcoming trip planned, I cannot stress prioritizing time to get some decent sleep! It’s one of the best acts of self-care you can do for yourself.
Meditation App
Lastly, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. We all have demanding jobs and a busy personal life, so it is hard not to feel inundated with the ins-and-outs of living. Above all though, you need to allow yourself permission to put yourself first. What really helped me was incorporating mini mediation practices into my routine. This is not something I do religiously everyday, but more when I am feeling overwhelmed or when I just need to take a step back. There are really innovative apps on the market now, such as Headspace, that can guide you into quick 5 minute meditation practices. Or maybe meditating for you looks like closing your eyes and listening to your favorite peaceful music or even doing a brain dump into a blank journal. Whatever your release is, make sure you schedule time into your day to relieve stress. Doing so will allow you to better focus your energy so you do not get burned out in the long run.
These are 5 ways I am prioritizing self-care as the world opens back up for some normalcy. What does self-care look like for you?