Written by Emilee Maldonado, SDSU Chapter Member
Whether you’re feeling unmotivated or unbalanced, it’s the perfect time to shake up your self-care routine to improve your overall health and ensure your mind, body, and spirit are all in alignment with one another. Here are a few ways to stay on top of your health.
1. Have a deep clean
My room is truly my sanctuary. I try to keep it clean as much as I can because I find when my room is clean, my mind is clear and more at peace. Take the time to give your room a deep clean and I promise it will have a major effect on your mental health. A clean, organized room promotes an organized mind which sparks creativity and productivity.
2. Write in a journal
Writing in a journal allows you to release and process emotions and feelings about this time in your life. The world is slowly transitioning back to a state of normalcy in terms of public health, and while this is an exciting fact, it’s also completely valid to feel anxious about it. This past year has been very stressful for some of us but also a blessing in bizarre ways. Journaling is a great way to manage your emotions and get clarity on how you feel.
3. Go on more walks
Walking is probably the simplest form of exercise. Many people underestimate how beneficial a simple walk in the sun can be to our overall health. Exposing your skin to the sun boosts the production of Vitamin D in the body which stimulates the production of calcium, essential for the health of our bones, blood cells, and immune system. Going on a daily walk in the sun is a great way to improve your physical and mental health.
4. Stay hydrated
Drinking an adequate amount of water every day is essential to keep your body strong and have the ability to fight off viruses and infections. A good way to ensure you’re drinking enough water is to multiply your body weight (in pounds) by two-thirds and the result is the amount of water, in ounces, you should be drinking daily.
5. Get plenty of sleep
Getting six to nine hours of quality sleep every night is an absolute must. I think it’s super important to establish a good nighttime routine to prepare your mind and body for a long night’s rest. A few essential steps in my nighttime routine include:
Taking a hot shower or bath to wind down
Massaging body oil/lotion on my body immediately after my shower to rehydrate my skin
Skincare routine - facial toner, eye cream, facial oil, moisturizer
Tidying my room
Bedtime yoga (usually yin yoga) to let go of my day and allow for a long and peaceful rest
6. Practice meditation
There is much benefit in taking even just five minutes to yourself to sit quietly, clear your mind, and focus on your breathing. I enjoy listening to meditation playlists on Spotify or following guided meditation videos on Youtube if I find my thoughts are being extra-loud on any particular day.
Comments