Self-care has many benefits. Besides simply feeling better in that particular moment of practice, it also offers many proven ways to manage long-term stress, allowing you to bring more to others and to make you more productive overall. So what exactly are some of these benefits of self-care?
From helping boost your immune system to discovering a deeper self, here are five benefits of creating a self-care routine. Plus, we’ve even listed a few self-care tips to set you on the right path.
Benefits of a Self-Care Routine
- Self-Care Helps You Be More Productive
A self-care practice can essentially get you to slow down. Say no to some of those commitments that don’t serve you or bring you joy and, instead, make time for those that do. For instance, grab a coffee with a good friend or spend an hour doing yoga. Before a big meeting or presentation, even just a few deep breaths to slow down your heart rate can bring you into the present, allowing you to refocus. Avoid time-wasting activities like scrolling Facebook and other social media rabbit holes. Take care of your priorities first to be more productive.
- Self-Care Helps Boost Your Immune System
Self-care plays an important role in your immune system or, more specifically, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). Like taking your vitamins and supplements and getting routine exercise, self-care can activate the PNS and put your body into a restful and restorative mode. This, in turn, allows our bodies to decompress from everyday stressors. Incorporating these types of activities into a daily routine allows a coping mechanism to occur to combat our hectic lifestyles, building defenses against nasty colds and viruses that would normally take advantage of our weak immune system. Plus, you’ll have increased energy levels!
- Self-Care Helps Improve Your Self-Compassion
As the word implies, it shouldn’t be a surprise that self-care improves your own self-compassion. The better care you take of yourself, the better you will feel. So remember to go easy on yourself and be warm and understanding when things don’t go as planned. Instead of feeling inadequate, practice self-compassion instead of self-criticism.
Ignore the voice in your head that lowers your self-esteem. Instead, talk yourself up and feel confident. Once you begin to treat yourself with more love and compassion, you’ll also see your life differently
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