84 Burnett St Bundaberg
Are you looking for ways to take better care of yourself? Perhaps you’re going through a tough time and feel in need of some additional TLC?
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Let’s take a look at some simple self-care strategies that you can start implementing today.
Drink more water
It seems too simple, but drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest self-care strategies out there. Hydration is needed for every system of the body, including your brain and nervous system. Dehydration can make it harder for you to focus and get things done, which can make life more stressful.
Start by adding 1-2 extra cups of water per day. From there, work your way up until you’re drinking 1.5L-3L (depending on your age and physical activity level). If you’re not a big fan of plain water, herbal teas are a great option – reach for some calming herbal tea blends for double the self-care.
Move in a way that you enjoy
So many people slog it out at the gym and hate every minute of it. But how much easier would it be to stay active if you chose to move in a way that lights you up?
There are so many options out there these days, including:
So why not check out your local clubs and see what tickles your fancy? If you’re not sure where to start, ask one of your friends if you can tag along to their favourite physical activity.
Stretch it out
Another big self-care strategy for your body is to stretch regularly. This can include getting up from your desk to stretch out anything that feels tight, or stretching first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Need some inspiration? There are plenty of free stretching guides available on YouTube – have a search for a general stretch, or you can narrow it down if one particular area is bothering you.
Practice mindfulness
Something that has become popular lately in health circles is mindfulness. This can include meditation practices, but also other options such as mindful eating, visualization, and even deep breathing exercises.
It might sound complicated, but mindfulness at its core is simply about being present and noticing your experience of life. Notice how you feel, what you can sense, and what thoughts are running through your mind. By taking a step back and observing, you can help to reduce stress and feel more in control of life.
Give journaling a try
Many of us used to journal our thoughts and feelings when we were younger. Somewhere along the way, we stopped writing down our experiences and kept them in our minds instead.
But now science is discovering that journaling can be a great form of self-care. It’s particularly useful if you experience symptoms such as anxiety.
Worried about leaving a written diary sitting around? You might like to journal digitally by writing notes in your phone, downloading a journaling app, or even typing it up on your computer.
Count your blessings
Another simple self-care strategy with a host of health benefits is practising gratitude. This can be done by speaking out loud, writing down or simply listing in your head the things you are grateful for.
As you can imagine, this can help you to feel less stressed and happier. However, it can also support a healthy immune system, reduce experience of aches and pains, improve your sleep and even reduce your blood pressure.
All it takes is 30 seconds of your time to ask yourself – what am I grateful for today?
Ask for support
Do you feel overwhelmed, busy or lost? Or perhaps you are the person in your household who always seems to have to do everything?
If so, it might be time to ask for some support. After all, we were never designed to do it all – we used to have an entire tribe to support us and divide the workload.
This might be as simple as reaching out to a friend and asking them to lend an ear after a hard week. Or it could mean getting professional advice from a counsellor or psychologist.
One handy hint – if you are feeling this way, put a temporary halt on accepting any more obligations and responsibilities. Believe it or not, people will find a way to cope if you’re not there to help for a week or two!
Book your healthcare appointments
Has it been a while since you’ve had a check-up with your GP? Or maybe you’re overdue for a massage or acupuncture session?
One way to take care of your future self is to book your healthcare appointments – ideally before you need them! True healthcare is not just about managing your symptoms. We want to pick up on the problems before they develop and prevent future illness.
Do you need some support managing symptoms of stress and overwhelm? If so, the team at Burnett House are here to help. Our naturopath Trish can help you to improve your stress resilience through diet, lifestyle and supplements tailored to your needs. Our acupuncturist Jamie can help to relieve your symptoms of stress and reintroduce an energy balance to your body systems.
To book an appointment with Jamie or Trish at our Bundaberg clinic, book an appointment online here or call us on (07) 41522372
