Though it seems as though the pandemic is behind us, many of us are experiencing crisis fatigue from all the events going on in the world. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel defeated, coming up with a plan to keep yourself feeling your best and motivated is the best line of defense for being able to roll with the punches. If you look around, the world is still filled mostly with love; kindness overpowers negativity, and life is a beautiful ride we’re all on together. If you’re looking for ways to invest in yourself, keep reading for some inspiration.
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Put Your Best Foot Forward
The old adage “when you look good, you feel good” has been around forever because it’s true. Making an effort to look your best has been shown with increased mood. Having a proper grooming routine, wearing clothes you feel confident in, and getting regular haircuts and dental cleanings can go a long way to boosting your mood and your happiness. If you need some motivation to stay looking sharp, treat yourself to a new hairstyle, a makeup box subscription, or a facial. Try and look your best, so you feel your best.
Get Plenty Of Shut-Eye
Piggybacking on feeling good and looking good, they don’t call sleep “beauty rest” for no reason. On top of looking well-rested, sleep is critical to feeling good. When we sleep, our bodies heal themselves on a deep cellular level. Sleep is also essential for our immune system regulation and function. By getting enough sleep each night, you can deal with the everyday stressors that come with life’s responsibilities and other ebbs and flows that happen around us. Show yourself some love by curating a nighttime routine conducive to sleeping. Investing in a high-quality mattress may not be in everyone’s budget, but relaxing aromatherapy, calming chamomile tea, and melatonin can make a world of difference.
Staying Social
One of the best ways to give yourself love is to give it to others as well! Taking time to stay connected with friends and family has proven benefits to our mental health, impacting our physical health. Getting involved in your community is another excellent way to stay social. Find an issue you’re passionate about and seek out community organizations involved in that issue. Making a difference in the world around you and others’ lives will also make a significant difference in your own.
Eating Healthy
It’s easy to reach for fast food or foods loaded with sugar and other processed ingredients when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. While those foods taste great in the moment, they typically leave you crashing an hour or two later and can lead to other discomforts too. Instead, eat a diet full of healthy, whole foods and minimal ingredients. They say you are what you eat, so it is a simple act of self-love to fuel your body with real food that it recognizes and can use.
Get Out of Town
Did you know that regular vacation people are at a significantly lower risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke than their non-vacationing counterparts? It’s true! Getting out of town regularly is a great way to pause life’s stress and responsibilities and reset your emotional state. You don’t even have to go far – head one town over on a weekend road trip, and you’ll see a vast improvement in your mood.
Ditch Social Media
At this point, we’re all well aware of the damage that social media can do to our mental health, yet, we keep logging in. If you have noticed that the use of social media negatively impacts your self-image or mood, consider taking the plunge and finally deactivating your account. If this sounds daunting to you, delete one platform at a time until you’re used to no longer doom-scrolling.
Investing in your emotional health is easy by practicing self-love in the above-mentioned ways. Most of them are free, but they’re also huge components of living a healthy lifestyle anyway. Make sure that you’re taking time for yourself each day, either writing down or mentally acknowledging everything you’re grateful for. Life is short, and you deserve to feel happy. Here’s to your health!
