Self-care Routines That Will Change Your Life

For many of us, self-care is not integral to our lives. Instead, we perceive it as a luxury, leisure, or sometimes, even as selfish.

This article discusses the yogic perspective on self-care and shares some self-care routines that you can build into your everyday.

What yoga says about self-care

The Sanskrit word dharma relates to the concept of duty. It shows us the ‘right way’. When we align ourselves to our dharma, we move towards joy and fulfillment.

Yoga philosophy says that our first and foremost duty is towards the self. Only when we take care of our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies, we become equipped to fulfill our other responsibilities.

When we neglect the self, it is a disservice to the divine that resides within. Taking care of the self means that we respect and value this gift of life.

5 self-care routines that will change your life

If you don’t know where to begin, begin here. These self-care interventions into your routine can be transformative to your health and well-being.

1. Prioritize sleep

Adequate sleep is important for the body and mind to relax and recharge. Our brains need downtime to release toxins, consolidate long-term memory, and build neural highways.

With the number of distractions we live with, sleep often takes a backseat. One way to overcome this challenge is to set a lights-out time. Sleeping in time will give us time for ourselves in the morning and set the tone for the rest of the day.

2. Eat right

Preparation is key to healthy eating. When hunger strikes and all we have access to is a doughnut, it is difficult to keep our promises of no sugar.

Healthy eating needs advance planning. Stock up on healthy snacks – nuts and fruits, for instance. Think about your meal menu for the week and plan your grocery list accordingly.

3. Get some movement

Not all of us are enthusiastic about exercise. Fair enough. That said, some form of movement is vital to our physical and mental health.

Sitting for long periods of time can lead to various health concerns, including obesity and high blood sugar. Exercise not only benefits physical health, it also helps fight anxiety, instills feelings of well-being, and releases ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain.

Cultivating a daily practice of yoga can do wonders for the body and mind. If you find it difficult to go to a yoga class or spend an hour on your mat, breaking down your practice into smaller periods of 10-15 minutes and distributing them throughout the day is a great alternative.

4. Remember to drink water

Just this one thing can make a huge difference to your overall well-being. Getting enough water prevents dehydration, something that can lead to constipation, unclear thinking, and mood change. Drinking water also helps the body maintain a normal temperature.

Staying hydrated keeps us from impulse eating. Oftentimes, it is the need for water that makes us reach out for a snack. Next time, drink a glass of water instead.

5. Practice gratitude

Irrespective of where we are in life or how terrible a day has been, there will always be something we can be grateful for.

Maintaining a gratitude journal shifts our focus from what is not working to the things and people in our lives that hold, sustain, and nurture us. It gives us perspective and hope. It makes us tune in to the higher vibrations of love and togetherness with the world.

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