{"id":25032,"date":"2017-06-15T16:48:10","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T13:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=25032"},"modified":"2017-06-15T16:48:10","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T13:48:10","slug":"self-care-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/self-care-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Self-Care Activities to Brighten Your Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
Everyone\u2019s schedule gets hectic from time to time. Sometimes it feels like you\u2019re caught in a hamster wheel that you can\u2019t get out of. Over time, stress builds and begins to wear on our bodies and minds.<\/p>\n
Follow these self-care activities to have a better and brighter schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n Many people dismiss meditation as a mystical religious practice for Buddhists and yogis, but it\u2019s so much more<\/a>. Meditation makes you sit still and focus on breathing deeply and clearing your mind. The intention isn\u2019t to think or reflect; the goal is to think of nothing at all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We live in a culture that\u2019s constantly moving from one project to the next and never reflect on the present. Meditation\u2019s goal is to bring you to the present and relax your mind and body<\/a>.<\/p>\n In fact, challenge yourself to avoid looking at your phone at all for the first hour of your morning. We check out social media for an attention fix. Instead of focusing on the attention you want from others, take the morning to think about what you want for yourself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Challenge yourself to keep from plugging into your phone<\/a> in the morning. Listen to music, cook breakfast and take the time to reflect on yourself instead of thinking of what others think or want of you. This is probably one of the most important self-care activities in the society we live in today.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve heard it before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether you love or hate breakfast, it\u2019s important for you to eat a healthy first meal to kick start your metabolism. Start the day off right with a balanced breakfast of protein and carbohydrates.<\/p>\n Eat a probiotic like yogurt with nuts for protein, or an omelet with bell peppers and breakfast potatoes to get your veggies. Eating a healthy breakfast will wake you up for the day<\/strong>, smaller meals prevent your body from storing food as fat while you sleep.<\/p>\n Cutting out foods high in sugar can help prevent oily skin and inflammation, help you avoid the sugar high crash mid-morning, and get your metabolism kick-started with nutritious options.<\/p>\n Often our work schedule demands every moment of our day. There are times when it feels impossible to take a lunch or even a fifteen-minute break, but it\u2019s critical to do so. Studies have shown that we are more productive when we take a break between major activities throughout the day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Take a walk, meditate or check your phone to clear your mind and reward yourself. This will refresh your mind and make it easier to focus on the next project.<\/p>\n It\u2019s never too late to start your New Year\u2019s resolution. Body image<\/a> aside, physical activity is essential to mental and bodily health. If you groan at the idea of going to a gym or going for a run then find something that you enjoy. Today there are numerous options available for all tastes.<\/p>\n Take a chance on a new activity<\/a> and discover a workout you never knew you\u2019d like. You may discover something so fun it doesn\u2019t even feel like a workout anymore. Daily exercise wakes up the brain<\/a>, keeps muscles strong, boosts metabolism and promotes a better night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n Sleep is essential to a productive day. Too often, we make excuses as to why we can\u2019t sleep; we say we\u2019re too busy or we have too much on our mind. In order to prioritize rest, you have to prioritize your day. Make a commitment to maintaining a schedule that fits seven to eight hours of sleep a night.<\/p>\n1. Meditate in the Morning<\/h4>\n
2. Don\u2019t Check Your Emails Until After You Get Ready<\/h4>\n
3. Eat a Large Breakfast and Smaller Meals Throughout the Day<\/h4>\n
4. Take a Break<\/h4>\n
5. Get in a Good Workout<\/h4>\n
6. Get a Full Night\u2019s Sleep<\/h4>\n