Life has a way of helping people prioritize what’s important. The longer you live, the more it becomes evident that your physical health must be an area of focus. The mental and emotional benefits of self-care are often highlighted when this topic is discussed. It’s also important to understand the overall physical benefits. The good news is that 20 minutes of daily relaxing self-care can improve your overall physical health.
When a person is at their best physically, they are more likely to be resilient and overcome obstacles and challenges in life that are inevitable. Self-care can trigger the body’s relaxation response, which increases energy levels and minimizes the negative impact that stress can have on your health.
What Is Self-Care?
There has been a lot of talk about self-care in recent years, but what exactly is it? Simply put, self-care is the act of promoting health. The World Health Organization has stated that self-care is promoting health and preventing disease. This means there are a wide variety of activities that you can do to promote physical health. Some of the most common ways that people engage in self-care is by focusing on good nutrition. This means taking the time to eat healthy foods and remain hydrated. Also at the top of the list is having good daily hygiene habits.
While these are both simple activities, they can make a big difference in your overall physical health. Self-care can also consist of receiving annual medical checkups and seeking medical attention when needed to promote optimal health. Having a self-care strategy can help to mitigate illness and should be a life-long commitment.
Going for a walk, getting a massage, eating vegetables, drinking water and meditating are just a few ways in which people all over the world engage in self-care. What self-care means to one person may be entirely different for another person. Some people find listening to music to be a soothing and ideal practice for daily self-care.
Improve Your Energy Levels
Having a lack of energy can impede achieving anything in life. If you have goals but lack the physical energy to achieve them, there’s a good chance that you will eventually lose motivation. There are some instances in which stress causes a person to feel lethargic. Engaging in self-care activities is a great way to reduce the kinds of stress-induced emotions that can lead to a reduction in energy. Some of the most common therapies for relaxation include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Tai Chi
All of these activities are easy to learn and can be done anywhere. The key is making it a regular practice so that you can maintain physical stamina. A side effect of many relaxation therapies is being able to sleep more soundly, which will also have a positive impact on your energy levels and overall physical health. It’s common for people that meditate to feel more energetic and engage in other health-improving physical activities. It’s no surprise that feeling energetic is indirectly linked to how much you can accomplish on a given day.
Prevent Illness from Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is problematic in that it can take a toll on a person’s body. It’s been known to cause serious issues, such as high blood pressure, digestion disorders and anxiety. These are all health problems that can persist when stress is continuous. Engaging in a regular self-care practice can prevent these problems from arising. Self-care practices that reduce stress not only improve how you feel, they can result in a better quality of life. While it might only take 20 minutes a day to complete a self-care routine, it can have results that last a lifetime.
Boost Your Self-Confidence
There are many benefits associated with a self-care practice. At the top of the list is having more self-confidence. Confidence is often a component of one’s physical appearance. Self-care practices like healthy eating, exercising, and proper grooming can all lead to a boost in confidence. When you feel healthy and strong, you will likely view yourself in a more positive light.
It’s about feeling good from the inside-out and getting the most out of life. Some self-care strategies can help you embrace a more holistic approach to maintaining long-term health and wellness. If you have any questions about self-care practices that can improve your overall physical health, contact us today at 772-266-5320 We’re here to help!
