6 Easy Self Care Routines You Can Do At Home
Self care is more important than ever, and whether we like it or not, for most of us right now it must be done within the confines of our homes. While the restrictions that COVID 19 has placed on our day to day lives has us stuck indoors, it doesn't mean we have to forego looking after ourselves- we just need to use a little more imagination, and determination! Self care isn't always simple, but it is necessary if we want to thrive and live our most epic lives!
Many people consider acts of self care to be selfish, or self indulgent. I guess spending all day everyday thinking about what makes you happy and considering no one else would be. The truth is though, that self care is absolutely essential if you want to be the best version of yourself, and more importantly give the best version of yourself to others.
If you still feel guilty just hearing the term ‘Self Care’, then start here- with 6 small acts that can be done daily in 30 minutes.
In fact, some of these can be combined. Like meditating while lying on your Ajnamat, or earthing in a park while you practice yoga. You could potentially tick everything off the list is less than 20 minutes a day! There’s nothing self-indulgent about that.
If your problem is not sticking to your new self care routine, then making small achievable goals, just like the following six, are the way to go.
So, why not make the most of this trying time by implementing some self care habits that will serve you now and, long after the CO-VID 19 crisis.
Here are the things I’ll be doing daily to nourish my mind, body, and soul-
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Sun Salutations
If you only have 5 minutes to move your body, practicing a series of Sun Salutations is one of the best ways to spend it.
Sun Salutations are the perfect morning practice to awaken the body, focus the mind and connect to a sense of gratitude for the new day. The coordinated breath, and depth of focus needed make this sequence like a moving meditation.
Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar, can be a complete practice in and of itself. The combination of twelve asanas (poses) are linked together in such a way to cultivate length and mobility in the body, while strengthening the muscles.
The physical benefits of Surya Namaskar are many and include an improved immune system, better digestion, lowered levels of toxins, boosted circulation, and even weight loss.
However, the main reason this is going on my list is unity. It’s the unity of mind, body, and soul that make this sequence so worthwhile.
Use an Ajnamat or pillow to get even more out of your sun salutations!
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Meditation
With scientifically backed evidence that meditation helps to reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health, enhance self awareness, lengthen attention span, and reduce age related memory loss, not meditating seems crazy.
However, even when we know all of the benefits, it can still be difficult to make meditation a habit that sticks.
It’s a common misconception that mediating must be done for long periods time. In reality, starting small is better than not starting at all. In fact, Dan Harris states multiple times in his best-selling book ‘Meditation For Fidgety Sceptics’, that even one minute of mindfulness should be considered a win.
If one minute counts as a win, then five minutes is absolutely killing it, and, five minutes is something I can commit to!
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The 5 Minute Journal
Journaling can sound like a bit of drag if you’re not an avid writer, but a five minute journal? Well, that sounds doable!
The 5 minute journal claims to be the simplest way to start your day happy, and having gained the approval of celebrities such as Tim Ferris, Emma Watson, and Ben Greenfield, it has all the social proof you could need to give it a shot.
Tim Ferriss says “The Five Minute Journal is one of the simplest ways that I have found to consistently ensure improving my well being and happiness. Both in terms of achievement and actual measurable, quantifiable results.”
The 5 minute journal is also based on science.
In the 1990s, Harvard lecturer, Shawn Achor, conducted the largest-ever study on happiness and human potential. One of Achor’s most remarkable discoveries was also one of the most practical:
People who practice gratitude every day are happier and more optimistic.
You don’t need to purchase the 5 minute journal to get started (although it’s a beautiful book). Just begin and end each day by jotting down:
- What you’re grateful for
- What would make today great
- Daily affirmation
- 3 Amazing things that happened today
- How could you have made today even better
You can get a free PDF emailed to you from their website!
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An Apple (Cider Vinegar) A Day....
This New Year's resolution can be achieved in as little as 10 seconds a day…..
Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV, is truly a health super tonic. Its benefits include:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improved heart health
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Detoxifies the liver
- Lowers cholesterol
- Whitens your teeth
- Removes bad breath
- Boosts your energy
- Helps to prevent osteoporosis
- Slows down aging
- Fights against free radical damage
ACV functions like a prebiotic for the healthy gut bacteria that helps them grow whilst eliminating the bad ones. It also helps to control blood sugar levels.
For these reasons, it makes sense to begin each day with a little ACV.
Try diluting it with warm water and lemon, or even a little cinnamon, ginger, or stevia to sweeten. Just make sure to get the organic, unfiltered type with “The Mother”.
ACV also makes a great addition it to dressings and marinades.
If you’re not a fan of the taste, ACV can be purchased in capsule form.
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Ajnamat
Getting to a masseuse, physio, acupuncturist, or other specialist everyday is far from realistic, but getting on an Ajnamat for 5 minutes isn’t!
The benefits of this intriguing spiky mat come in my forms.
Ajnamat promotes circulation which is great for recovery and healing, as well as flushing out toxins. It also prompts your body to start releasing feel good hormones that will leave you with a sense of overall wellbeing.
The main reasons I’ll be adding Ajnamat to my self care routine in 2020 are these:
- Relief from sore, tense, and tight muscles.
- Decrease in headaches and neck pain.
- Noticable improvement in quality of sleep
- Reduced stress and anxiety
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Earthing
I was skeptical when I first heard about ‘Earthing’ on Dave Asprey’s Podcast, Bulletproof.
However, Dave and his guest of the day both exclaimed about the effects they’d experienced by practising this super simple technique. Since I find Dave to be a reputable source, I figured I’d give it a shot.
If you've never heard of Earthing, here’s a little explanation from Earthing Canada:
“Earthing, also known as grounding, is based on research that demonstrate that connecting to Earth’s electrical energy promotes physical wellbeing. The act of Earthing refers to a physical connection between the electrical frequencies of the human body with that of Earth’s (think barefoot in the grass, or at the beach). Just like the sun constantly provides us with energy and vitamins, the earth too is a source of subtle energy that contributes to optimum health.
Earthing can be achieved in a number of ways: standing, sitting, lying or walking with direct skin contact with the ground is the easiest but conducting and grounding products like bed sheets provide a convenient method of connecting with Earth when it’s otherwise impractical.” (Think quarantine and self isolation!)
Whether you believe in it or not, walking barefoot in the grass or on the beach feels amazing. It definitely gives you a sense of connection to nature that is often lacking in our modern society.
So, what are you waiting for? Kick off those shoes!
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