The start of a new year prompts thoughts of setting goals, making changes, and improving our lives. Often times, and to many of us, this means making moves toward upgrading our physiques. While it can be beneficial to cash in on the motivation boost that comes with the new year, let’s make sure that in 2023 we’re not just pushing to change the way our bodies look. Instead, let’s choose to love and care for our bodies because they are awesome and amazing!
Make no mistake, it is a wonderful and powerful thing to engage our bodies and revel in all that they can do; however, there’s so much more to practicing physical self care. Below are ten ways that we can all give some love to our physical selves:
10 Ways to Practice Physical Self Care
1. Think, Speak, and Write Positive Words About Your Body
In our society, we are subliminally taught to constantly scrutinize our appearance, especially our bodies. While there is nothing wrong with working to achieve or maintain a healthy shape that brings you a sense of joyful satisfaction, there is so much that is perfectly marvelous about our bodies right here and now.
Take a moment to reflect on all that your body has done for you and really soak into feeling appreciation for this glorious vessel. Stand in front of the mirror and allow yourself to give your body the credit it deserves.
If you’re having trouble coming up with reasons to love and be grateful for your body, or you’d just like some help getting started, consider these prompts:
–My body allows me to…. (walk, run, dance, create, give and receive affection, etc)
–My favorite part of my body is my….
–My ___________ is proof that I have survived or accomplished something incredible! (surgery or c-section scars, stretch marks, stitches...)
–What parts of my body have I been made to feel ashamed of? Where did this shame come from? How can I learn to love those parts of me too?
–My body is powerful and capable! It allows me to experience this life. It is a vessel for my beautiful soul.
Our bodies are pretty remarkable in all of their unique beauty and capability. Let’s always remember to love and celebrate them!
2. Take a Walk
Just walk. In nature, around your neighborhood, down the halls of your building, from the far end of the parking lot, up and down the stairs. Walking not only allows you to get where you need to go (a truly awesome capability that we often take for granted), but it also helps to connect you with your body and the world around you.
From relieving anxiety and reducing stress to building muscle tone and general flexibility, walking is a simple yet powerful form of self care. So however you can, get to steppin’!
3. Engage in Joyful Movement
We can all agree that exercise is an important part of maintaining our physical and mental well-being, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. There are several activities that can elevate your mood just as much as your heart rate.
Whether it’s dancing (in a class, a club, or around your living room), developing a yoga practice, playing a sport, swimming, hiking, or taking up a martial art, find the fun in moving your body!
4. Set Up a Hygiene Routine and Lean Into It
There can be such sweet joy in finding an everyday hygiene routine that leaves you feeling pampered and beautiful! Why not take your daily shower and skin care, and make the most of them! Find a body wash or scrub that smells amazing. Choose facial cleaners, exfoliators, toners, and serums that are suited to your skin’s type and specific needs. Luxuriate in a super moisturizing lotion.
You don’t need a special occasion to justify an indulgent hygiene regimen, and it doesn’t need to take a lot of extra time. Just decide on a routine that makes you feel fabulous, and make sure to consciously savor every step.
5. Invest in Massage
The benefits of massage are plenty! Not only does it create a deep sense of relaxation, but it can also reduce stress and blood pressure, relieve tension and muscle pain, improve circulation, and boost feelings of mental and physical wellness.
Whether you opt for full pampering at a spa or make an appointment with a certified therapist at a wellness center, massage is a wonderful way to treat yourself!
6. Drink More Water!
Staying hydrated is one of the best things we can do for our bodies. Drinking enough water replenishes our cells, flushes waist from our systems, promotes organ function, aids digestion and increases energy. It can also improve skin clarity and elasticity, and even increase hair growth!
So get sippin’! It’s recommended that adults drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day, and more than that is even better. If you have a hard time getting enough H2O, there are water bottles (like this one) that measure your intake throughout the day so you don’t even have to think- just drink!
You may also enjoy other nourishing fluids like tea and flavored or carbonated water. Unfortunately, caffeine can be dehydrating; so while we may still enjoy (love, need, rely on…) our daily coffee, we should actually increase our water intake with each cup.
7. Be Mindful of Your Nutritional Needs
If we listen carefully, our bodies give us clues as to what they really need. The difference between feeling energetic or sluggish, mental clarity or brain fog, even a positive or negative mood can often be attributed to the foods we are consuming.
Food can be a wonderful source of joy as well as nutrition; but if we’re not careful, we can sometimes fall into toxic eating habits. Mindful eating simply means being aware of how you feel before, after, and during meals. Paying attention to what we’re choosing to eat, why we make the food choices we do, and how those choices impact us physically and mentally empowers us to enjoy the foods we love in ways that are truly nourishing.
8. Practice Sleep Hygiene
The quantity and quality of our sleep can have a huge impact on our overall wellness. Keeping a consistent sleep routine helps to maintain a higher level of energy, increases productivity, and boosts immunity.
We’re all different when it comes to whether we like to hit the sheets early or stay up a little later, and the number of hours we each need to snooze varies; but no matter what our sleep preferences are, going to bed and waking at the same time each day helps us make the most of our zzz’s.
9. Practice Deep Breathing
Breathing is something we do subconsciously, so we often forget how much power it holds. Deep, mindful breathing has benefits such as relieving anxiety and stress, lowering blood pressure, reducing pain, and increasing overall energy.
Deep breathing can be practiced for 10-20 minutes as part of a meditation practice, or just a quick (or rather, slow…) two or three intentional breaths. In any quantity, deep breathing is an excellent way to connect our minds and bodies to a the peace that lies within us all.
10. Host a DIY Spa Day
Beyond our everyday hygiene routines, sometimes it’s nice to amp up the pampering! Heading to the spa can be an awesome way to decompress, but you can also create a fabulous spa vibe in the comfort of your own home! Invite a couple friends over for a spa day or enjoy some quality alone time.
Take a few moments to set the mood with some candles, essential oils in a diffuser, and peaceful music. Pour some tea or fruit infused water and slip into a comfortable robe or pajamas. Relish in your favorite face masks, foot soaks, and treatments. Cut up some cucumber slices to nourish tired eyes.
You may also consider:
-DIY mani-pedi
-Dry brushing your skin
-Soak washcloths in warm water with a few drops of essential oil
-Graze on fresh fruit or make nutrient-rich smoothies
We all deserve to take time for ourselves that feels extra special. A spa day at home can be the perfect way to bring a bit magic into our lives and spoil ourselves just a little.
Physical Self Care is Self Love
The New Year is a perfect time for making changes. Instead of taking pains to alter our physical appearance, however, let’s make more of an effort to show our bodies some real love. These physical forms allow us to do so much, so let’s honor them in all their unique, fabulous, magnificent glory!