Self-care is so very important. We all need to dedicate some time out of our day to focus on ourselves and what we can do to feel happier, healthier, and more relaxed. When most of us think about self-care, we think about things like meditation, hot baths, and good books, and they are all fabulous self-care practices for sure, but there are also some more unusual ways to get your self-care on, that you might not have thought of, as you will see below.
Declutter your home
If you can’t see the living room furniture for piles of books or your bedroom is groaning with too many clothes, then doing some serious decluttering and getting rid of as much of the excess stuff in your home can work wonders for your mental health and wellbeing.
When you live in a cluttered spade, your mind is often cluttered too; you might find it more difficult to relax and you might be embarrassed about how messy your home is. Of course, the more clutter you have, the harder it is to organize your life, so it can lead to a lot of stress too.
Take a leave out of matie Kondo’s book and get rid of anything you do not need or particularly want in your home and you will start to feel better almost immediately. It might not feel like self-care when you are doing it, but it really, really is.
Start a collection
This advice might seem like it is directly contrary to the point above, but it’s about collecting things you do truly love and want around you. It isn’t for everyone, but some people get a lot of joy from collecting lots of wonderful-smelling perfumes that make them feel like a million dollars when they wear them, or from collecting toys they loved in their childhood or collecting and pressing flowers they find on their walks. They get joy not only from tracking down the items, but also from cataloging them and looking at them/ using them regularly, so it really can be a rewarding form of self-care if you are someone who appreciates a well-curated collection.
Volunteer
When we think of self-care, we tend to think about things we can do for ourselves; things we can do to pamper our bodies and give our minds a break, and that is a big part of self-care, but doing things for others can also be an important part of the equation when it comes to wellness too.
Numerous studies have shown that people who volunteer remind to be healthier and happier than those who do not and it is not surprising because volunteering gets you out of the house, often being active, meeting lots of new people, and building new skills that will boost your self-confidence. So, whether you volunteer at a local animal shelter or help pout with a community litter-picking session, get out there and do something nice for someone else – you won’t regret it!
Plunge yourself into cold water
Taking a cold shower or going swimming in a freezing cold lake might sound more like a nightmare than a wonderful act of self-care, but it really can work wonder for your physical and mental health.
Many people find that cold water swimming is the only thing that alleviates symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and others swear on it for helping to reduce their chronic aches and pains. It definitely makes you feel more alive! Just make sure you don’t go alone if you are swimming in a cold lake and that you gradually build up to cooler temperatures so that you stay safe.
Compliment a stranger
Complimenting a stranger and seeing their eyes light up can really boost your own day and make you feel better about yourself too, and it’s so easy to do. You can tell someone they have great hair or they do a great job at their work in a few seconds, but the feelings that come with making someone else’s day a little brighter, will linger with you all day long. Pick one person every day and try to find something nice to say about them and you’re sure to feel more positive in no time at all, and so will all of the people you touch too.
As you can see, there really is more to self-care than face packs and yoga classes, so why not try adding one of the above practices into your regular wellness routine to shake things up?
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