7 Self-Care Strategies to Help Improve Your Life

We gotta put self-care at the forefront of our wellness routine if we want to enjoy sustainable change. So, today, we are jumping right into self-care strategies that you can use to help improve your life.

1 | Say “No” More

We don’t know about you, but for us, most of our time is spent saying “Yes.” We want to be go-getters, helpful, available, and reliable. But, sometimes that reliability can come at the cost of our mental health and well-being. One strategy for practicing self-care is to prioritize your “yeses” and send out a little more “nos” (because sometimes it is best for you). Start saying no to the things that don’t serve you — going to dinner with friends when you need time alone, helping with a work task at the expense of the things on your own list, planning a work out time that doesn’t work for your schedule. It is okay to say no. 

2 | Change Your Negatives to Positives

It’s a little ironic to put this after “Say ‘No’ More,” but hopefully, that tip convinced you that no is not a bad word. Negative self-talk is different. It sounds like this: “I am bad at X.”, “This task is not fun.”, “I do not like the way I look.”, “I cannot do x.” A way to transform these thoughts is to grab a notebook or the notes page in your phone and write down something positive each time negative-self-talk rears its ugly head.

 

You can then look back on those positive notes and become self-motivated by your own words. It is a powerful exercise that will pay off huge in the long run.

3 | Get Yourself a Full Night of Sleep

You cannot be the best version of yourself if you are running on empty. It’s a tough subject because some of us simply cannot fall asleep (or stay asleep) and we get that. However, there are some things that you can do to try and sleep a little better:

• Say no to caffeine after noon.
• Lock up your phone and put it away 30-minutes before sleep.
• Try a relaxing yoga sequence right before bed.
• Turn off your screens 30-minutes before bed (no TV in bed)!
• Try out guided sleep meditation.

4 | Exercise

Feeling blue is a double whammy. Not only does it feel awful, but it also makes it so that you don’t even want to do the very things that will help you. If we don’t feel like getting out of bed, it’s understandable that it’s hard to get to the gym. But, physical exercise is a mood-booster. It releases endorphins into our bodies that help to reduce stress and can even help to fight depression. Sometimes, when exercise is the last thing you feel like doing, it is the exact thing you need. If you are looking for a way to exercise in a fun, group setting, check out our Group Exercise classes or Team Training to enjoy guided workouts alongside a community of individuals just waiting to be your next gym buddy!

5 | Try Meditation and Yoga

It is important to focus inward and tune into what your body and mind are trying to tell you. Yoga and meditation are a great way to do just that. It will not only increase your flexibility, help you tone your muscles, and stabilize your core, but yoga also has relaxing effects and can reduce stress. You can try a yoga class at any of our locations. Meditation also has several benefits. Contrary to popular belief, meditation is not about silencing your mind. It is more about checking in with your body and what it needs. For some guided meditation and deep breathing exercises, you can check out apps like Calm and Headspace.

6 | Eat Well

Nutrition affects every single aspect of your life. What you eat and drink impacts mood, appearance, how you feel, and even how you sleep. It is important to get your nutrition in check and to be kind to your stomach (the second brain) so that you feel vibrant and awake every single day. Try one of our Chuze Blends smoothies to kick up your nutrition content for the day!

7 | Get Outside

There’s nothing like the great outdoors. Take your family for a walk, go out into nature and enjoy it alone, or take your pups. Engaging in outdoor activities is a great way to get a little exercise and a lot of mental clarity. We even like to use our walk times to listen to helpful podcasts or enjoy our device-free moments.

Bonus | Make Changes Little By Little

Finally, take your time. You can’t expect to implement meditation, yoga, exercise, a new diet, going outside, and sleeping for 8 hours all at once. Prioritize the change that is best for you and start there. Once it becomes a habit, you can then add more of these self-care strategies into your daily routine. Improving your mental health and self-care is a long-term commitment that you will shape and mold over your lifetime. Just make sure you are prioritizing yourself in one way or another!

We want you to be equipped with the strategies you need to make physical, mental, and emotional self-care a priority in your life. What self-care tips do you have for the Chuze Family?

*We are not licensed therapists. You should not rely on this information to substitute or replace medical advice or treatment. Always consult a health care professional if you have any questions about your mental and physical health.