Self-Care Your Way to Success
The idea of taking care of ourselves seems so bougie. It seems like a privilege we cannot afford as working class citizens. We obviously do not have time to pamper ourselves AND make ends meet. But what if I tell you that taking care of yourself actually improves your chances of becoming part of the boujee club?
It is easy to write off taking care of yourself in a world where we are expected to be productive all the time. But studies have shown that the best way to be productive is to make sure we are well enough to be so. By looking after ourselves, we get to recharge, refocus and be the best person to tackle the demands of the world.
Self- Care does not mean spa trips all the time. You do not have to be on vacation leave to be able to take care of yourself. There are a thousand different ways to take care of yourself that does not need to be expensive and time consuming. Here are a few to start off with.
Practice Mindfulness.
Being mindful is not something that can happen overnight. But start with being aware and being present in the moment even for 5 minutes a day. You can still practice mindfulness even during routine work; like when eating, doing your skincare routine or getting ready for work. It takes practice to switch off distractions and really be in the moment without judgement. But once you get a hang of it, this will allow you to be more focused, to respond better to stress and become more self-aware.
Catch up with friends and family.
Even with the rise of social media and technology, it is so easy to lose touch with people who were once a major part of your life. We have to make time for relationships. Whether it’s a coffee date or even short catch-up call or text, it is important to keep a healthy social connection with people. It is, after all, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, one of our basic needs; the need for love and belongingness. Having a good support system and an active social life is taking care of yourself emotionally and socially; and will do wonders for you when faced with stressful situations.
Stick to a skincare routine.
No, it does not have to be expensive or tedious. Sure, pampering yourself can be a trip to the spa, or a well-deserved vacation. But it can be an everyday thing, too. Find a skincare routine that is easy to keep and will not cost you an arm and a leg. ZenaSkin gives you a routine that will not take up all your time but does the same job as a 20- step skincare routine. It will be easy to stick to, and will give you that confidence boost you need to tackle anything thrown your way. The simple routine will free up some time for you to focus on other things too. Make it extra on some days; apply the ZenaSkin pink clay mask and feel like you’ve been to the spa a couple of times in a week.
Invest in yourself.
Take a class. Learn a new hobby. Read a book. Find ways to enjoy but still be productive. Work is not our be- all and end- all. Investing in yourself by being curious and taking that leap to see what’s outside of your comfort zone can lead to wonderful discoveries about yourself. It may develop a new passion, polish a skill or even lead you to update your life goals.
We can go on and on about ways to look after yourself; but self care will be different for everyone. There is no one right way to look after yourself but remember that physically looking after yourself, is the most basic of all our needs, and is the foundation upon which we build the rest of who we are and what we are capable of doing. So eat right, workout, get an 8-hr sleep, get a check-up. These may all seem basic, but it is what self-care is; it is making you the best version of yourself.