8 Ways To Feel Great From the Inside Out
As a caregiver, you may feel that you simply don’t have enough time to pay a little TLC (tender, loving, care) to yourself. However, from the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you go to bed at night, there are hundreds of ways to feel good and look great in your own skin. Whether it’s through working out or practicing self-care, here are some tips from us here at Caregiverology to help you feel your absolute best every day.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough rest is essential for feeling your best. Studies show that too little sleep can wreak havoc on your body and mind, affecting everything from cognitive function to your metabolism. It’s best to go to bed and wake up at similar times each day and turn off electronics 90 minutes before bedtime. Try adding calming essential oils to your nighttime routine, or take a warm bath with Epsom salts. Even a new bed such as the purple mattress can make a massive difference in the quality of your sleep.
2. Eat Healthier
To improve your health and feel better overall, changing your diet is a good first step. Start by eliminating processed foods and reducing sugar, simple carbs, saturated fats, and sodium in your daily diet. Instead, load up on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids. As the old saying goes, you are what you eat.
3. Drink More Water
This is perhaps one of the most common tips for improving your health, and there’s a good reason. People often mistake thirst for hunger, so drinking water is a quick and easy way to curb cravings without taking in extra calories. Not only does drinking more water boost your metabolism, but it can also improve digestion and even help you lose weight by making you feel fuller more quickly. If you struggle to drink plain water because you crave that fizzy flair of drinking a soda, try a zero calorie carbonated water or seltzer water.
4. Exercise Regularly
It’s tempting to skip workouts when you’re feeling stressed. But if you don’t give your body what it needs physically, you only put more stress on it. Your thoughts and feelings are inseparable from your health; being proactive about fitness is one way to take control of both. Whether it's a trip to the gym or a walk around the neighborhood, anything is better than nothing.
5. Set Mini-Goals
To stay on track and feel great, set mini-goals for yourself, such as getting eight hours of sleep every night, meditating for 10 minutes a day, or doing one new thing each week. Once these things become part of your weekly routine, you can add more challenging goals. Making multiple little improvements over a long period of time can result in big positive changes in the future.
6. Treat Yourself
Shopping for clothes and accessories is a fantastic way to make yourself feel better. Looking great can boost your confidence and put you in a positive mood all day long. Consider purchasing new gemstone jewelry, such as an ammolite necklace or earrings. Ammolite is a highly iridescent mineral that can flash an array of colors, adding pizzazz to your outfit.
7. Plan a Trip
Although it’s difficult to do as a caregiver, every so often, take a break and go on a vacation. Florida, for example, is a great relaxation destination with many tourist attractions. If you don’t have time or money for a big trip, plan an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. Not only does this allow you to enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation, but it’s also a good chance to explore a new place that may not be on your regular radar.
8. Practice Self-Care
By getting in touch with your senses and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit, you can begin to transform your life. Self-care is vital when it comes to feeling great from the inside out. If you are struggling to find time for yourself, you could consider finding a temporary replacement caregiver to look after your loved one while you take care of your own needs. You truly can't take care of others if you don't also take care of yourself.
Thank you Mary Shannon for contributing this article.
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