The Naked Truth: 5 Facts for Better Self-Care Practices

Let’s get into it:

Don’t wait

For all of us, there are times when we decide that we are going to wait for a particular event to happen before we stumble upon self-care activities such as waiting for our birthday to get a massage or pedicure or waiting for relatives to visit from overseas to go out and enjoy life. Others of us wait until we get stressed to a breaking point before deciding to take some time to maintain our mental health. Living that way can become exhausting, negatively affecting not only our mental health, but our physical health as well. Excessive stress is a silent killer. Stop waiting for something to happen before taking time to rest, relax and do an activity you enjoy. Your heart and body will thank you for it.

Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken.

Especially as it relates to tries and true products or services that you use. There are services and products that you know as ‘old faithful’ or ‘oldies but goodies’. You know as sure as the sun rises and as certain as the sun sets, that it’s gonna give what it’s supposed to give, when it’s supposed to give it.

Now I’m not saying there isn’t a time for new products and services. Of course there’s a time for that. You can sample these during or outside of your self-care routines and decide whether you like them. But when you are in a crunch and need your self-care fix, sometimes you just have to go with what works. For example, since I was in my early 20s, I have been using Simple Products for my skin with glowing results (You can find them here and here). My skin LOVES these products and they have never failed me.

One day I saw a friend of mine. Her skin was dewy and as smooth as glass, so I asked her what she used on her skin. I bought the products intending to achieve the same effect. WRONG. It turned out that the product was too harsh for my skin, and my face ended up swollen and burned. Lesson learned. Before switching or trying something new, consider if you need to the switch. Consider your needs, what works for you and what doesn’t, and do your research. Word to the wise, if what you are already using works for you, don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.

Self-Care Is not expensive

Many people have the misconception that consistent self-care is expensive. Let’s bust that myth right now. Self-care can be as simple as unplugging for a day or two. It can also look like making some time to listen to an audiobook or even just getting outside to enjoy the sun on your skin. You don’t need to go out, spending money that you don’t have, to do the things you see other people doing. Again, consider your needs. What do YOU need? Is there anything you can you do at home or with others for free that makes you feel good? What products do you already have that you can use for this? Self-care is really inexpensive. It is what you make it to be when you need it.

Self-Care Looks different for everyone

Self-care for me looks different according to what’s happening in life, so I would not tell you to pin down your self-care routine to one or two things. What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. For me, self-care looks like cleaning up and putting my house in order, listening to old-school music or some good gospel, meditating on the word of God, bellowing tunes from the top of my lungs, or giving my hair a thorough shampoo and deep treatment. There are some days when it looks like adding an extra step into my skin routine, listening to an audiobook while being curled up in my bed, or even just surfing the internet and putting things I can’t afford just yet, into my “save for later’ basket. How does self-care look for you?

It takes time and intention

This is a big one. Let’s piggyback on the first point that explains why you shouldn’t wait to give yourself self-care. Maintaining yourself should be something that is on the front burner 100% of the time. No, it’s not too much. By now, you should know that planning your time (months, weeks, and days) is essential to an organised life. When planning your time, you should look at your priorities, and schedule your time with those in mind. Now that we are making self-care a priority carve out some time in your diary or planner to put what you’ve learned into practice.

Let’s start small. Decide what you will do to maintain your mental health and balance once per month (e.g., Get a manicure or pedicure, go to therapy, go out and experience something new), once per week (e.g., take a dip or walk on the beach), and once per day (incorporate it into your daily routine ( e.g., move for 30 mins, start a skincare routine, enjoy some tea, spend time with God, (you can start here) eat a balanced and healthy breakfast or do some journaling).

Here are some ideas for self-care if you have no idea to start:

For free, you can:

• Read a good book.
• Take one hour to sit, lie down, and do nothing. Be alone with your thoughts.
• Take a 30 walk.
• Cook and eat healthy meals.
• Call up a friend and talk – or even make a date with a friend or friends.
• Watch a show that makes you laugh.
• Journal daily, even if it’s just 2 sentences.
• Ask for help before/when you become overwhelmed.
• Visit friends or family.
• Help others.
• Practice gratitude.
• Think positive thoughts.
• Do some stretches or yoga.
• Meditate on the word of God.
• Know your priorities and goals. Say “no” if you don’t have the mental capacity to add something to your schedule.
• Resolve issues quickly.
• Establish and maintain boundaries as needed.
• Drink more water.
• Prioritise your night time sleep.
• Write creatively.
• Declutter.
• Take care of your plants.
• Give yourself a facial.
• Listen to wholesome music.

If you have the money to spend, you can:

• Get a professional pedicure or a manicure.
• Go to therapy.
• Try a new restaurant.
• Travel of the weekend.
• Get a massage.
• Do a facial.
• Go to the spa.
• Get a day pass at a hotel.
• Take a long drive.
• Buy yourself an item that you have been putting off for a special occasion.
• Send yourself some flowers.

Decide what is right for you and do just that. THEN you will be able to pour from a full cup. Many people think self-care is wrapped up in self-indulgence, but the opposite is true. Self-care prepares your heart and mind to serve others. You will find that your mood will improve and your well-being will grows with time. You are worth it.

If you tried any of these, and they have improved your wellbeing, or if you have other ideas for self-care, let us know in the comment section. Sharing is caring, like and share this post with a friend or on social media if you found this information useful. Until next time,