It’s summer already !so what a better way to welcome it other than learning some self care practices that are at your reach. In this blog I will be sharing some of the practices that I use to make myself feel better throughout my day, whether physically or mentally. Let’s get into it! 

In the morning

Yoga

I only recently started doing Yoga, and I do it in the morning. The first day I decided to lay the mat on the floor and follow a youtube tutorial did really change the tone of my morning. I do it only for 10 minutes. It can be done for 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your schedule. 

The energy shift I have every morning is remarkable thanks to this self care practice, and you will definitely sense it as well. within a few minutes you will feel more refreshed, productive and motivated to tackle the day. And if you are someone who deals with anxiety and low mood levels Yoga is the best practice for you. 

Meditation : 

This is the one I regret not starting earlier, but the moment I was reading “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod, I decided to start meditating, and boy! The benefits of meditation are countless. We’re talking about mental clarity, breathing improvement, raising your vibrational frequency… 

Right after I finish my yoga session I sit on the mat and focus on my breathing while relaxing my body, repeating a mantra, being present in the NOW. 

TIP : Sometimes meditating first thing in the morning might make you fall back asleep while doing it because it requires a lot of relaxing and slow breathing. So to avoid this, it’s better to do Yoga first, feel a bit energetic then meditate. 

Skin care : 

A lot of people do want to start practicing skin care but they feel lazy to do it or lost with all the different routines and products out there. My advice is to focus on 3 products, which are the base of every skin care : 

Skin care is more than applying a bunch of products on your face, but it can be therapeutic, and a booster for your mood. On top of this, it can take only 5 to 10 minutes each time depending on the number of your skin care routine steps.

In the Afternoon :

Working out : 

Most people consider working out as a way to be physically fit, but it can also be a way to be mentally fit. It is like therapy, really. If you are thinking about starting your fitness journey whether it be weight lifting, jogging, yoga… just start by spending 5 minutes into the activity, then increase the time spent, after a while you’ll find yourself putting hours and hours each week into your workouts. It’s all about baby steps. 

Napping : 

When I was a kid I would rather you take away my favorite toy than tell me to go take a nap. Napping was my least favorite thing to do. Now I realize that I’m messing out. I do believe that napping is a form of self care, and what’s good about it is that it does not require any effort and provides many benefits by literally doing nothing. 

A regular nap for only about 30 min to an hour can refill your battery without having you waking feeling groggy. I’m no sleep specialist but it is advised to sleep early in the afternoon, between 1 pm to 3 pm, and based on personal experience… I agree. 

In the Evening :

Reading : 

One hobby that I can’t give up is reading books. The way it can make you learn so many things by improving your vocabulary, acquiring new skills, or enhancing your critical thinking and imagination, is immaculate. 

Many studies have shown that people with higher income tend to read more books than individuals with lower income. This alone says a lot about the effect of consuming physical, audio or E-books. 

At Night :

Journaling : 

Again, shout out to “The miracle morning” book, because thanks to it I started journaling. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It’s never too late to write (on paper or on a gadget) about your day, remarkable moments or how you feel. Some of the best benefits for journaling are : 

• Stress relief, as some studies have proven. 
• Good for expressing repressed feelings 
• Feeling nostalgic after re-reading your journal. One of the best feelings ever, am I right? 

Skin care : 

Now here is what is good about the night skin care routine. it’s that you don’t need to apply sunscreen, which means you are left with only cleansing (to get all the dirt and sweat that got accumulated on your skin and in your pores) and moisturizer. You can use a night cream or one that works for day and night. 

There are a lot more different ways to practice self care. Try to adapt the routine that suits your needs and can fit into your life’s schedule. Remember to grow at your own rhythm.