When we think of self-care, we often imagine spas, traveling, and meditation. While those are all healthy ways to pamper ourselves, there are other simpler but more important routines that we often overlook. We tend to stick to the glamorous side of self-care and disregard the habits that actually benefit our health for the long term.
This isn’t to say that typical and heavily-promoted self-care routines are ineffective. They are, in fact, also proven to have lasting impacts. But if you’re looking for an activity that can improve the quality of your life, add comfort to your daily grind, and make you more self-confident, aromatherapy and bubble baths may not suffice. But these lesser-known self-care routines might be the key:
1. Swear
Blurting out profanities may affect your image negatively, but sometimes, it’s the best way to blow off some steam. Besides, it’s better to cuss to yourself than vent out your frustration into someone else.
Research shows that swearing can reduce physical pain, and possibly increase your self-confidence and self-esteem, too. Indeed, when we swear, we gain a greater sense of power and control, making us feel confident and self-assured. Every curse word we utter helps us establish ourselves as an empowered person, rather than a helpless victim. Of course, this isn’t a reason to cuss whenever you feel like it; there’s still a proper time and place for that. But whenever you feel out of control and diminished, remember that bad words have got your back.
2. Become a Bookworm
Many people may complain that reading gives them a headache or bores them. What they don’t realize is that books don’t exist to overload you with information. Instead, books exist to increase your brain power, enhance your creativity, and make you more open-minded.
Reading fiction is especially beneficial for your creativity and emotional health. Think of it like watching a gripping film or TV series. When you relate so much with the characters, they start to feel real, and you empathize with them on their struggles. This makes you more caring and sensitive toward your real-life peers, too.
3. Have a “Cheat” Day
Self-care articles often tell us to watch what we eat and to steer clear of our favorite treats like ice cream and cakes. But if you’re already eating healthy, make your diet a little flexible. Allow yourself a cheat day from time to time. As long as you don’t consume sugar to de-stress, then you’re still taking care of your body well.
An occasional ice-cream or cake won’t ruin your fit body. To ensure that you won’t be tempted to eat them frequently, ask yourself how the cheat-day treat will make you feel. If it won’t induce regret or any other negative emotion, give yourself a pat on the back, and enjoy an indulgent treat.
4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Out of all the less popular self-care routines, oral care is probably the most overlooked. Many of us don’t think we need to visit the dentist if we’re not experiencing toothaches. But in fact, we need to have our pearly whites cleaned every few months. The food we eat can build up plaque in our mouths, causing bleeding gums when we brush our teeth.
If you haven’t been to the dentist for a while now, find your area’s most reputable dentist or dental clinic and book an appointment. Don’t wait until problems occur before caring for your oral health. Dental procedures may become more uncomfortable the longer you delay them.
5. Practice Yogi Breaths
If your usual deep inhale-and-exhale breathing exercises aren’t working anymore, try this famous yogi breath practice: Make an “L” with your right thumb and index finger, and press your fingertips against your nose. Use your thumb to block one of your nostrils. Then inhale deeply. Repeat on the other nostril. Twenty minutes of doing this breathing exercise can improve your mood and memory.
6. Shop
Retail therapy may have a bad reputation, but if you have enough money to spare, it should be good for you. A 2011 study suggested that buying new clothes can brighten your mood. Not just clothes, but pretty much anything we buy. Don’t you also feel thrilled when an item you ordered online finally arrives at your doorstep?
Shopping may only bring short-term comforts, but the new stuff we buy has a way of making us feel empowered. Besides, we shouldn’t deprive ourselves of nice things if we can afford them anyway. So as long as you aren’t in debt, shop without guilt.
From now on, let’s not regard these self-care routines as unusual, but as essential instead. Include them in your lifestyle practices, and watch your life change for the best.
