Self-Care Tips You May Not Have Thought Were Self-Care

Self-care is the newest going out. It’s trending, desirable and leaves you refreshed rather than exhausted at the end of the day. You know of, and probably watch, the influencers who are able to dedicate two hours of their day to an aesthetically pleasing and high-cost self-care routine. Yet, for most people, that’s not attainable. 

So, how do you fit and prioritize self-care into your own life? Here are some self-care tips that you may not have thought were self-care, but are. 

1. Food to fuel you. No, I’m not talking about the green smoothies and fermented drinks, we’re talking about food that makes you feel good, full, and satisfied. Always try your best to incorporate lean proteins, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. – I didn’t know what cruciferous meant either and still don’t), different colored veggies (who doesn’t love a pretty meal), berries, a variety of nuts (as long as you don’t have nut allergies), and olive oil. Your body will love them and can offer benefits in the long run. But, despite this, if you’re really craving some sweets- go for it! Is it okay to eat sweets when you’re craving it? Yes, it can be great for your mental health. Listen to your body and your emotions for what you need. 
   
   
2. Find 5 minutes to meditate. So, this one may be a more obvious self-care tip, but I bet you didn’t know just 5 minutes can be all you need to reap a multitude of benefits. What can 5 minutes of meditation do? Reduce stress, increase focus & productivity, and improve your mindfulness. So, find 5 minutes in your day, to connect to yourself. If you need a meditation guide, we recommend this one from Headspace. Go to a calm location, get comfortable and find your inner zen. It may feel weird or be boring at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll begin to notice the benefits. 
   
   
3. Chores. Yes, I know, you may view this as the absolute opposite of those relaxing self-care videos, but all it takes is looking at them from a different perspective to make these tedious tasks into an enjoyable part of your day (or week). What’s your morning routine usually like? Get out of bed, get dressed, brush your teeth, brush your hair, brush your dog (?), and make the bed if you’re feeling crazy. Whatever you do, you’ve probably accomplished at least 5 activities of self-care this morning. Acknowledge the little things you do for your life and applaud yourself for doing them. Changing your view of chores from tasks you have to accomplish to activities you want to accomplish helps you start everyday with achievements.
   
   
4. Talk to a friend. Pick up the phone and dial in a number, send a snap, hop on a Yubo live; do whatever it is that makes you feel connected to your friends. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, social connection is a fundamental human need, so don’t deprive yourself of it just because you’re busy or worried they may not want to hear from you. They have that same need for social connection as you. Not sure who to reach out to? Go onto Yubo and start swiping or live streaming. Every single user on the app is there to make friends. They want to hear from you, just as badly as you want to talk to them. Trust us, we’re experts on that (source: we’re Yubo). A friendly interaction can make your whole day better, so give it a try whenever you need.
   
   
5. Make a routine. You don’t have to have your whole day planned out, we know things rarely go as planned, but you can find small pieces of the day to make part of your daily routine. The time you go to bed, the steps you take every morning when you wake up, the path you take around the grocery store, whatever works for you! Everytime you’re entering a typical part of your routine, you don’t have to stress about what comes next and can focus on yourself in the moment.  Having routines, especially a rough day-to-day routine, can help with stress, sleep, and even your overall health. It takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, so it's never too early to start. 
   
   
6. Hobbies. Everyone has a hobby. Whether it’s talent-based or interest-based, there’s something you enjoy. And, if you’re looking for a hobby, here are some recommendations: mini sculpture painting, tree shaping, extreme ironing (it’s exactly how it sounds, look it up), or singing. But, how are hobbies self-care? Taking the time to yourself to participate in your hobby will help reduce stress, explore your talents, improve your self-confidence and much more. As long as you’re happy doing your hobby, you can count that as benefiting yourself. 

What truly matters when participating in self-care? Do what feels right for you. Focus on what benefits you and your mind.