Self-care has become imperative in the past two years; with the COVID outburst and the stress it brought,  we have all had to make big adjustments in our lives. Having to be in lockdown for days on end did not help matters, and mental health has taken a center seat, right next to physical health. These days, we all have to take care of our body and our mind, so self-care is a must. If you want to invest in yourself a little more, these self-care routine ideas will help you get the mental boost you need.

Meditate and try breathing exercises

Yes, some of you may be rolling your eyes at the notion of new-agy self-care idea, but the fact of the matter is that meditation and breathing have a great effect on your body and mind. When you breathe properly and learn how to control your breath, your heart rate slows down, the mind calms, and you can think more clearly. Practicing meditation and/or doing breathing exercises for just a few minutes every day can work wonders. To get you started, try following this 10-minute guided mediation tutorial, and relax your body and mind.

 Clean out the clutter

It is no myth that a cluttered environment clutters the mind. To reduce stress and feel more at ease, create a space where you can relax. Throw out items that you don’t really need, take out the trash, and clean your home. By creating more order in your home, you will feel less stressed and more in control, so get to cleaning.

Pamper your skin and body

If you want to relax for an hour or even for a few minutes, dedicate time to take care of your skin and body. Use products that will give your skin a healthy boost, and pamper your body as well: use face masks, take a nice bubble bath, do an at-home manicure with a nail care kit, and just treat yourself right, especially after long days.

End showers with a blast of cold water

Before you run away, we don't mean that you have to use freezing cold water. It's definitely not recommended in cold weather. At the end of showers, turn down the warm water, and shower in cold or nearly cold water for about 30 seconds. It will boost your circulation and make you feel invigorated. You may feel a shock for the first few times, but once you get used to it – you will not be able to go back.

Drink green tea throughout the day

Much has been said about the benefits of green tea, and it is all true. Drinking quality green tea regularly can lower your blood cholesterol. If you are more of a black tea person, go for it; the classic brew can lower the risk of developing heart disease, and both types of tea contain natural antioxidants that will do your body good.

Go for a walk

This is one of the most important self-care routine ideas that you should incorporate into your routine. Nothing can compete with fresh air and being outdoors, so why not try it? if there are no COVID restrictions in your area, go out and walk around your neighborhood. Even a 15-minute walk can work wonders; you can clear your mind and get away from stress factors that are in your home.

Create a 'thankful' list

We all fall into a glum from time to time. During hard days, it could be difficult to see the good things in our lives. To help you see the bright side of things (and there is one), make yourself a thankful list. Every night, write down at least one thing that you are thankful for. You can carry the list or read it from time to time, and it will help you remember the things that are worth living for.

Get some alone time

If you have kids, you know how difficult it can be to juggle home life and personal life. however, you should try to give yourself a break from time to time and decompress. Go to lunch alone or with a friend, make yourself a cup of coffee in the morning and drink it in the yard, go on walks alone, etc. Taking time for just yourself is key, and you should definitely add it to your self-care routine checklist.

Learn something new

A new skill will fill your time, and allow you to enjoy a new hobby. It can be knitting, sewing, boxing, baking, or whatever else strikes your fancy. Learning something new soothes the mind and as a bonus – you can enjoy new skills. If you do not have the time to learn a new skill, dust off old skills and make something new. Don’t sweat over the quality of what you make. The important thing is to dedicate time to yourself and enjoy a self-care routine of your own.

Bottom line

You will probably not be able to check off all these tips from your self-care checklist, and that is okay. No one has the time to do everything all at once. However, it is important for you to take even a few moments for yourself every day. Mix up your self-care routine, and remember that no one else can do it for you.