After the stress and chaos of 2020, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking for ways that we can treat ourselves in 2021. As the vaccine for COVID-19 begins to become more widely available and the possibility of a return to social activities seems like it’s just on the horizon, you might be wondering how you can start to feel more like yourself again after a difficult year. Instead of relying on a shopping binge, searching for more meaningful solutions for your struggles might be a good idea. If you’re hoping to take better care of yourself in 2021, read on for four fabulous lesser-known self-care tips.
1. Divide essential tasks into manageable blocks.
A long to-do list can cause you stress just looking at it. A better idea for anyone who’s easily overwhelmed is to break down the list into categories, or at least into chunks of an hour or two’s worth of work. Spreading out chores and errands can make it easier for your brain to handle the idea of making progress, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete each category, rather than stress over how much you still have to do.
2. Help your body recover more effectively.
Everyone gets injuries sometimes and helping your body recover from those experiences is an important part of feeling good. Otherwise, you leave yourself vulnerable to joint pain, inflammation, back pain, and over time, obesity. You might not be aware of the ways you can use nutrition for pain relief and injury recovery, but your diet makes a big difference. While weight loss shouldn’t be your primary goal, it’s often a natural side effect of improving your diet and reducing the amount of time you spend avoiding physical activity due to issues with recurring or chronic pain and inflammation.
Protein-rich foods like red meat, fish, poultry, and beans can promote muscle growth, for example. Leafy greens like broccoli or kale provide a reliable source of vitamin C, which has antioxidants and properties that can help to reduce inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are also said to help with inflammation, which you can find in things like fish, algae, and walnuts. A proper diet and recovery regimen is especially important for anyone with vitamin or nutrient deficiencies or who suffers from conditions like arthritis.
3. Eliminate sources of stress and negative energy.
The things that surround us often have a significant effect on our mood, which means that allowing things and people who make you feel bad to remain in your proximity can cause real mental stress. Whether it means throwing out old photos with people you aren’t friends with anymore, blocking that toxic ex of yours on Instagram, or taking some time to redesign your space so it makes you feel more comfortable, there are plenty of ways you can change the vibe in your space.
Things like tattoos that provoke negative emotions might seem difficult to eliminate. However, tattoo removal more accessible than you think. Places like this Austin tattoo removal clinic can offer incredibly fast results at an affordable price, making it easier than ever to start over and get rid of any ink that you’re not happy with anymore.
4. Consider learning a new skill.
Too much idle time can be dangerous for a lot of people who tend to put a lot of pressure or stress on themselves. Learning a new skill or taking on a new project that makes you happy is a great way to give yourself a real feeling of achievement as you move forward, in addition to taking up time that you might be tempted to spend on anxious thoughts. Not only that, but you might just discover something you love that you didn’t even know existed a few months ago.
Self-care means a lot of different things to different people, and often the most effective self-care strategies go deeper than just doing some extra shopping. After the year that we had in 2020 and the additional stress caused by the ongoing global pandemic, we all more than deserve a little time to relax and recharge in 2021. Take a day to make a list of all the things that make you happy and try to use them for inspiration to get back on track. Invest in taking care of both your body and your mind and you’ll be well on your way to having a productive and peaceful year.
