Prioritizing My Physical and Mental Well-Being - LOH #283

In a world that moves so fast and expects us to keep up with all its demands, it is very easy to begin to neglect our own needs and focus only on what is in front of us. Many people only seek medical attention when we have completely broken down instead of being proactive as soon as they notice the signs and symptoms of ill health. Some others do not treat self-care as a necessity until they experience the effects of neglecting it.

Unfortunately, I have been part of the latter group. I used to think some parts of self-care should come after I had my life sorted out, with fewer financial worries. I believed it had to involve aesthetically pleasing activities like going to a spa for deep tissue massages and facials every month, subscribing to a gym or yoga classes, and generally spending more money to look and feel good. However, growing up has taught me that self-care is not about what I see or read on social media. It is about being intentional with nourishing my body in a healthy way and ensuring that my mental health is prioritized at all times.

Unlike previous years, when my self-care relied on rest alone, I now do much more to improve my overall health. My daily routine starts with a quiet time, where I read positive affirmations to myself and listen to soulful music. I do this for at least 20 minutes, and it helps set the tone for my day. I follow it up with simple stretches for my arms and legs as soon as I get out of bed, and on some days, I make sure to engage in home exercises to keep myself fit.

The next thing I do is drink a glass of water for hydration and prepare my body for the day.

If I have an important task with an approaching deadline and can't afford to eat a full breakfast, I make sure to munch on something light like an appetizer. This is because starting my day on an empty stomach has become unacceptable for me, and this has helped reduce the lightheadedness I used to feel regularly. I have also been consuming more balanced meals throughout the day, and this is the most stable my weight has ever been.

Another habit that helps me maintain a healthy body, and in turn supports a healthy mind, is taking walks. I developed an interest in this after watching a movie where the lead actor walked every single day of their life, even at their old age. Since then, I have challenged myself to walk daily unless there is a strong reason not to. It has become a major mood booster, especially when I walk in a calm environment where I can enjoy nature and all its elements.

I'll admit that the most difficult part of my self-care routine is making time for sleep. As someone who is used to doing many things in a single day and sometimes taking on more than I can handle, it has been challenging to prioritize sleep at night. However, I've been nurturing the habit of catching some sleep whenever I return home early or take a nap have no urgent task at hand. So far, it's been working.

Since the beginning of the year, I have also developed habits like eating one fruit a day, dancing when I feel sad, staying on an hour-long call with old friends who bring me comfort, buying one item monthly to reward myself, and maintaining a basic skincare routine both in the morning and at night because looking good means feeling good.

All of these activities and their benefits, helps and encourages me to live a more balanced and healthy life where my physical and mental well-being are in a continuous state of improvement. I am now able to care for myself without spending too much money or relying on fancy pampering routines, and this is one of the most refreshing experiences I've had so far.

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