8 Self-Care Tips in Long Beach, CA To Help You Live A Better Life
Self-care is an essential part of our lives and overall productivity, but it can be quickly forgotten about when life becomes busy. But what is self-care? Self-care is about giving ourselves relief when we feel overwhelmed. Take a breath, inhale the good and let go of the bad. Today it’s time to focus on you!
Here are some self-care tips for ways to be gentle with yourself:
Schedule ‘me time.’
Intentionally schedule time for yourself on your calendar or planner. Make sure you make it a priority, as you would if you have a call with a client or a doctor’s appointment. Every moment you schedule for yourself should be accounted for. Set an alarm if you need to ensure you’re giving your attention to your time. I like to schedule my Netflix time for 30-60 minutes a week. It reminds me to stop, take a breather, and relax. Most things can wait an hour. This time is just as valuable as any other item on my to-do list, and it provides me with time and space to de-stress when things become overwhelming.
Make your bed.
One thing I like to do when I wake up in the morning makes my bed. It starts my day off feeling productive and coming home to a made-up bed at the end of the day brings me peace and a sense of calming. Making my bed takes little time, and yet, brings me a lot of peace. The bedroom is a sanctuary where you rest, and for me, if my bed is messy and chaotic, it triggers the same feeling in my brain. It’s my way of putting my emotional and mental state of being as a high priority in my life - giving myself a place to rest.
Spend less time on social media.
I understand “too much time” is a relative term, but everyone’s consumption of social media is different. Reading through status changes all day every day can lead to negative feelings that can really change your mood. It’s important to remember that social media is a highlight real, everyone is putting their best life out there for consumption while keeping everything hard and personal to themselves. It can make you feel like you’re the only one struggling and that is not true. Cut back or take a month's detox if you think it is truly starting to affect your life in an unhealthy way.
Be kind to yourself and write down compliments.
Life can feel overwhelming at times. It can seem like a bad day turns into a bad week and then a bad month. You can start to beat yourself up for not being where you want to. Not everything is bad though at that time, but we typically put more focus on the bad than the good. Start writing down the compliments or nice things others do for you to remind yourself that you are loved. Carry a small notebook with you so you don’t forget. Anything that makes you smile or feel good is something you should write so you can reflect on it when you need a pick me up.
Establish a routine.
Morning and night routines are essential, and it’s also important to remember self-care isn’t just bubble baths and chocolate. There are a lot of parts of self-care that really require you to be strict with yourself because self-care is just that - taking care of yourself. Establishing a routine will allow you to move through your mornings and nights without having to think too much, which is essential after making hundreds of decisions all day long. Every morning and every night I wash my face and do a skincare routine, it’s a routine that has turned into a healthy habit that I can feel good about - just like brushing my teeth.
Meditate.
We often neglect self-care because we lack self-awareness. We assume we can continue to put things off because taking care of yourself can wait another day. But taking time out of your busy daily schedule to check in with yourself and what you need is very important. Meditation can help you tap into listening to yourself and your body to see what you need. There are a lot of apps and guided meditation videos out there to help you get into a daily habit and take time to check in.
Do one thing a day you thoroughly enjoy.
If reading is your thing, make sure you take 10 minutes or so a day to sit down and read without distraction. If cooking your thing, cook or prepare one meal a day in your kitchen. If you enjoy writing, make a conscious effort to write every day; write on a napkin, in a note on your phone, or in a journal. It’s important to do something nice for yourself every day. We often worry too much about other people and if they’re happy that we forget to make sure that we’re happy and doing what we love to make ourselves feel better. You could even begin individual therapy as a way to initiate more self-care for your mental health. No matter what you choose, or how big or small make sure you’re doing one thing a day you enjoy.
Drink more water.
I know you’ve probably heard this a million times, but seriously - drink more water. Dehydration can have negative impacts on your body and overall health, and that’s the opposite of self-care. If you don’t want to drink a gallon of water a day, try adding more water-based foods into your diet. I like to eat cucumbers, broccoli, strawberries, spinach, and tomatoes.
How will you begin your utilizing these self-care tips in long beach, cA today?
These are just some self-care tips that you can choose from. Note that self-care does not have to be a lot of work - and it shouldn’t be. Self-care is helping you create a life you don’t want to escape from but instead feel happy fully embracing. It’s important to remember self-care isn’t always glamorous, it’s doing little things like making your bed and setting a routine for yourself, but those things will make a significant impact. This could mean spending time with friends, family, spouses, or investing in some simply your time. Be creative with your self-care routine so you don’t neglect it or yourself, causing further issues down the road.
Begin Online Therapy in Long Beach, CA, Orange County, CA, Los Angeles County, CA, or anywhere in the State of California!
Taking care of yourself is important to your health. Why not learn how to integrate better self-care practices with the help of a skilled mental health professional today. When you begin therapy, you will work with me, an online therapist who specializes in family therapy, couples, cross-cultural issues, and trauma. To get started, schedule your free consultation, or to get started with counseling in Long Beach, CA, follow these simple steps:
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Start taking better care of your mental, emotional, and physical well-being today!
Other Mental Health Services at Healing Generations Counseling
I offer online therapy at my Long Beach, CA counseling office. Other mental health services at Healing Generations Counseling include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, life transitions, divorce recovery, trauma therapy, therapy for teens, support groups for teens, support groups for women, and EMDR Therapy. I also specialize in cross-cultural issues. This is a helpful service for those dealing with intergenerational trauma.
Lastly, as an online therapist, I specialize in families, cross-cultural issues, and trauma. I also provide family therapy and support for parents. Additionally, I offer blended family sessions, parent-child conflict counseling, and counseling for sibling rivalry. When you’re ready to begin therapy, I am here to serve you in Long Beach, CA, Orange County, CA, Los Angeles County, CA, or anywhere in the state via online therapy in California.