5 Ways to Prioritize How You Look and Feel
Have you felt like you are in a bit of a slump lately? Maybe you don’t look and feel your best or perhaps you’ve become bored in your self-care routine and need to switch it up. No matter what the case is, we have compiled a list of some of the best things that you can do to prioritize yourself as we head into the second half of the year. No matter how busy or hectic life gets, if you don’t care for yourself on a day-to-day basis, you will end up paying the consequences later. Whether it comes in the form of burn out, low energy or poor health, prioritize yourself now to avoid being forced to do so down the line.
1. Health
We have to talk about health and diet first. If you want to look your best, then you will need to start by making sure you feel your best. Taking care of your health can look different for everyone depending on your unique situation and history. Health for you could be avoiding eating things with gluten or doing a regular liver detox. For the majority of us, however, this will be as simple as eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and puts an emphasis on protein. You don’t need to do anything extreme by eliminating food groups entirely. Unless your doctor specifically recommends an elimination diet for your health then there is no reason to cut things out of your life. If you do have a doctor recommended diet, fear not as there are plenty of great alternatives on the market like these keto friendly chocolate chips.
If you are fortunate enough to have the time to cook for yourself then make sure you are using high-quality ceramic cookware. Many non-stick cookware sets have been known to shed toxins into your food during the cooking process. Make sure to beware of this if you have purchased a set of non-stick cookware.
Also try to avoid the ‘cheat day’ mentality. This is what happens when you restrict your diet too much. Too much restriction can lead to binging which can happen when you plan out a cheat day. Instead of doing something like this, try staying consistent with your healthy habits on a day-to-day basis while still allowing yourself to indulge when you feel the need to do so. So instead of planning a day of full out chaos where you are eating everything and anything you can get your hands on, allow yourself to have that pizza or donut in the moment when you crave it. This will help you to not feel restricted and to build a healthier relationship with food.
2. Fitness
Fitness goes hand in hand with health and diet and is an important part of feeling your best. The part that many people struggle with when developing a fitness routine is the all or nothing mentality. If you can get to the gym seven days a week then why bother, right? This line of thinking will only hinder your progress in the long term. The important thing here is to be moving your body everyday no matter how small or insignificant that movement may seem. Walking your dog, following a YouTube yoga routine or even some light stretching in the evenings will be an improvement if you are not used to physical activity. You are going to want to find physical activity that you genuinely enjoy and look forward to. This way it will feel more like a form of self-care than a form of punishment. If you are into home workouts, Bala Bangles have been circulating social media as a fun and easy piece of home workout equipment to add into your routine.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Getting enough sleep each night is a crucial part of feeling and looking your best. Of course, there are those pesky under eye circles that are always a tell-tale sign of a poor night’s sleep. But if you are not giving your system adequate time to recharge your looks are not the only thing that can suffer. Sleep is also a key factor in regulating stress levels, your immune system and even your body weight. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, try out a melatonin gummy or vitamin before you head to bed. Melatonin is a natural supplement that will not leave you feeling tired or groggy in the morning like some standard sleep aids may.You can also check out the Derm Store for some cool sleep promoting products like pillow sprays.
4. Drink Water
We all know we need to be drinking enough water, but few of us accomplish this each day. Keeping yourself properly hydrated will help your skin, hair, nails and body to look as good as possible. Not drinking enough water can actually cause you to hold on to more of it, making you look and feel bloated and uncomfortable. Avoid this by having a reusable water bottle near you at all hours of the day. You will find yourself drinking more water when you do this and in turn you will start to feel and look better!
5. Treat Yourself
Now that we have all the technical care stuff out of the way let’s get into some of the fun things you can do for yourself. This can include anything that you consider self-care. Maybe that’s a nightly bubble bath or a weekly night out with your best friends. We are also big fans of retail therapy of course. Don’t be afraid to refresh your wardrobe if you are feeling stuck in a rut. Go out and shop for some fun new pieces that can really spice up your look. And don’t forget accessories! A new pair of earrings or an oval wedding band that stacks onto your other wedding bands is never a bad way to treat yourself.
Make Time for You
No matter what self-care looks like to you, this list is a great way to get started on prioritizing how you look and feel. So don’t delay and start making time for yourself today!