Feeling your best is seldom a result of just letting things happen. Rather, it involves prioritizing your health and investing time in activities that bring a sense of fulfillment and joy. Today, Ladywell explores a host of self-love strategies that will not only help to improve your mental and physical health but also result in you feeling your best each day.
Take Breaks and Improve Efficiency at Work
Taking regular breaks during a workday is one of the keys to being productive. Contrary to popular belief, working tirelessly is not the secret to being as productive as possible. Rather, it is bound to lead to burnout and stress.
Taking a 20-minute power nap is a great way to feel energized and increase concentration levels. Additionally, according to Medical News Today, power naps can also improve logical reasoning and cognitive performance, both of which are bound to enhance your productivity.
Alternatively, you can use breaks to clean the clutter from your desk/office or walk over to a colleague for a short chat. Walking away from the desk will also provide your eyes some much-needed respite from electronics and help to combat the negative effects of being sedentary.
You should also seek ways to alleviate stress from work, even by changing the trajectory of your career. If you're in a job that's no longer challenging or too stressful and you're ready for a career change, switching careers can be a boon for your mental health. Fortunately, online degree programs make it easy to earn a degree while still working full-time or tending to family obligations. For example, by earning an online business degree, you can focus on areas like accounting, finance, marketing, and economics.
Limit Your Caffeine Intake
As reported by Food Insight, 93% of Americans consume caffeine, of which 25% consume it more than three times a day. While caffeine does provide a temporary energy boost, it is important to consume it in moderation, as drinking large amounts can have negative health effects as well.
A great way to moderate your intake of caffeine is to look for options before your daily cup(s) of coffee. You can opt for decaffeinated or light roast coffees or even try switching to chai tea, which is also a natural source of caffeine and can be consumed in the morning or evening.
Find a Hobby
Beyond work and household chores, it is important to dedicate time to activities that provide you with a sense of fulfillment, such as a hobby. Engaging in hobbies is an excellent way to maintain good mental health and pursue personal goals.
If you’re wondering what hobby you should follow, the best way to start is to hone in on your skills and interest. For instance, painting/drawing is a great choice for artistic individuals, while gardening or cooking are nice options for those wanting to learn new skills.
The best way to stay consistent with your hobby is to dedicate a set time towards it, similar to how you do tasks while in the office. Consistently practicing a hobby will help to reduce stress, promote happier moods and make you feel a sense of accomplishment.
Start Working Out
Exercise is one of the best activities to help you feel and look your absolute best daily. Even without a gym membership, nothing is stopping you from practicing home-based workouts such as HIIT, body-weight exercising, dynamic stretching, simply taking walks to run errands, and more.
Whether you exercise before or after work, over time, you’re bound to experience a reduction in stress, increased energy levels, and naturally happier moods, which are the result of your body releasing feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, adrenaline, and more during your workout.
Additionally, you’ll be rewarded with better cardiovascular health, a stronger immune system, and better blood flow, helping to reduce the risk of diseases and promote good mental health.
Upgrade Your Wardrobe
Upgrading your wardrobe can have a profound impact on your appearance and self-confidence. Additionally, it is an easy way to take control of your appearance and experience shoppers high! Start by decluttering your closet and letting go of items that no longer make you feel great. Replace these with new items that are either seasonal or represent a look you want to go for. Additionally, you can never go wrong with purchasing basics such as t-shirts, pants, and jeans of solid colors that can be paired with almost anything.
To look and feel your best, you'll need to make conscious decisions that lead to better mental and physical health, such as taking regular breaks at work, changing your career direction by going back to school, limiting caffeine intake, pursuing hobbies, and upgrading your wardrobe. So start embracing these strategies today to begin your journey towards a better lifestyle and self-perception.
By Dorothy Watson
