Another new year has arrived, and everywhere you look, people are goal-setting and making resolutions. And from eating better and losing weight, to getting more exercise and cutting down on smoking, health-related goals are on a lot of people’s minds this time of year.
But while the pressure to set ambitious goals to make positive changes can be motivating for some, it can be overwhelming for others. And while the new year seems like the perfect time to transform your life, it can take time. Taking better care of yourself is a great goal, but it might not be possible to make dramatic changes overnight.
The good news is: you don’t have to.
When you imagine self-care, you might picture candle-lit bubble baths or curling up with a good book. These are excellent ways to unwind, but they’re not the only ways to put your well-being first.
Self-care takes many different forms, and sometimes it’s the small steps and simple adjustments that can make the biggest, most lasting differences in your overall wellness.
So, if you’re looking for new ways to look after your physical, spiritual, and emotional health, look no further. By taking even one or two of these tips with you into the new year, you can create a more balanced, holistic self-care routine.
Why self-care matters
It’s a cliché at this point to say that ‘self-care isn’t selfish’, but that doesn’t make it any less true. It’s not the luxury that some may think it is, it’s vital for your overall health.
You can’t expect a car to keep running on an empty tank. Not taking the time to pause and refill your tank can cause fatigue and burnout, or could even lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
But when you prioritize self-care and incorporate healthy habits into your everyday life, you’ll likely feel happier, healthier, and more centered sooner than you’d think.
Let’s break down the 3 main aspects of your well-being—physical health, emotional health, and spiritual health—and explore a few ways to care for each.
Nurturing your physical health
You don’t have to join a CrossFit gym, commit to a crash diet, or run a marathon to look after your physical health. It doesn’t have to be intense or scary! What matters the most is finding something you enjoy and that works for you.
Here are a few simple self-care tips you can include in your routine:
Get enough sleep
If you struggle to get quality sleep, this might be easier said than done. But there are steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene and give yourself the best chance at a restful night.
- Stick to a sleep schedule: Your body’s circadian rhythm is your body’s 24-hour clock, and it’s responsible for your sleep and wake cycles. Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule—even on the weekends—will help your body understand when to wake up and fall asleep.
- Create a calm environment: Your bedroom should be a space where you can fully relax. Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet—find what works for you and helps bring you into a calmer headspace.
Food and exercise
Again, this doesn’t have to be a massive change to make a big difference. Try one small thing—fewer snacks at night, or a short walk after lunch—and see how much better your body can feel.
Massage therapy
You might think getting a massage is only for special occasions or injury treatments. But it’s actually an under-utilized form of self-care, benefiting your mind, body, and soul all at once.
Here are just a few of the ways it can support your physical health:
- Strengthens immune system
- Improves blood circulation
- Lowers blood pressure
- Soothes muscle aches and pains
- Decreases muscle tension
Whether you go for a soothing Shiatsu or an intense Swedish massage, massage therapy has something to offer everyone.
Caring for your emotional well-being
It can be easy to put your emotional and mental health on the back burner—especially when you’ve already got a lot on your plate to take care of. It’s often only when we feel continuously anxious, irritable, or unhappy that we might look into self-care methods.
But prevention is often better than the cure when it comes to mental health. By making emotional wellness a priority in your life, you can keep mental health concerns at bay before they become serious issues.
Not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve tried a few things already, but they haven’t worked the way you’d hoped.
Here are some ways to care for yourself and your emotions that you may not have thought of:
Reiki healing
Reiki is an ancient Japanese practice. It’s based on the idea that there’s a ‘universal life energy’ that flows through us all.
So, how does it work? The Reiki practitioner places their hands over your head, limbs, and torso for a few minutes at a time. This is done to improve the flow of energy and release any blockages believed to cause pain or illness.
It’s a non-invasive treatment and can cause a powerful emotional release and relieve stress. Learn more about Reiki at Awakening with Angela here.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation are tried and true ways to slow down, recenter, and reconnect with yourself.
Mindfulness is all about being in the present moment and not fixating on the past or the future. By focusing on the here and now, you can make any daily task a mindful one.
Taking even 5 minutes out of your day to meditate can help you become more centered and emotionally balanced. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and pay attention to each inhale and exhale. If your mind wanders away from your breathing, that’s okay! Simply, redirect your focus and pick up where you left off.
Looking after your spiritual health
We don’t always associate it with our overall health, our spirituality is just as important as our physical and emotional wellness. And you don’t have to be religious to get spiritual guidance, it’s more about relating to the deepest part of yourself—the part that goes beyond your body and your mind.
Not sure what spiritual self-care involves? Here are some things you can try to nurture this part of your being:
Spiritual life coaching
This is a little different than traditional life coaching. It mixes therapeutic conversations with energy-based methods—like Reiki—to facilitate healing and growth.
If you’ve tried regular talk therapy and feel like something’s missing, or you want to gain a deeper understanding of your spiritual self, spiritual life coaching can open you up to new ways of thinking and approaching self-care.
Spend time in nature
Immersing yourself in nature can be a truly fulfilling spiritual experience. In fact, it’s been proven that spending time in nature can lower levels of anxiety and depression, giving you a deeper sense of inner peace.
Forest bathing or grounding can calm your mind and spirit and give you time to pause and room to reflect. In nature, everything is interconnected—it can be a helpful reminder that none of us are alone in life. We’re all part of something greater than ourselves.
Get your year off to the right start
Don’t let the intense pressure of setting New Year’s goals get to you. Remember: you don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to change everything at once. By incorporating even one thing from this list into your self-care routine, you’ll be heading in the right direction for a happier and healthier you.
If you’re not sure where to begin, I can help.
At my studio, I offer a range of services including massage therapy, spiritual life coaching, and Reiki. Together, we’ll find the right treatment for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Get in touch today and let’s talk about a holistic care plan that works for you.
