Slaying … but at what cost?
It’s all too easy to get swept up in productivity culture, where being available 24/7, working through illness, multitasking, and surviving on two hours of sleep are worn like badges of honor.
Just to be clear: that’s not a flex. It’s a fast track to burnout. The glorification of busyness takes a serious toll on our health. That’s why prioritizing your well-being and carving out time for self-care isn’t just nice, it’s necessary.
Below, we’re sharing 10 simple things you can do to prioritize your self-care:
1. Give yourself permission to be unproductive: Productivity guilt is real, but let go of the pressure to Always Be Doing Something. Unfilled moments give us space to take care of all aspects of our health. They reenergize us, help us process our emotions, and foster creativity.
2. Hug someone you care about: And make it a long one. 15 to 20 seconds is what releases that feel-good “love hormone” we all crave, oxytocin.
3. Explore self-pleasure: A little quality time with a vibrator can do wonders for your mood, sleep, and stress levels. Orgasms release feel-good chemicals like endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine.
4. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: Notice five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This can help you feel more present and grounded, helping to reduce stress.
5. Connect with friends: A quick call or silly voice note to a close friend can deliver a hit of laughter-induced endorphins. And if you’re short on time, even a simple “thinking of you” text can brighten someone’s day (and yours).
6. Enjoy some solitude: Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. Take yourself out to a café, browse an IRL bookstore, stay at home with your phone on DND … solo time can help increase self-awareness and emotional regulation.
7. Make something with your hands: Research shows that hands-on creative activities reduce stress and boost mental well-being.
8. Play! Remember when play was a priority? It still should be. Play boosts creativity and lowers stress. (PS: Anything that brings you joy or makes you laugh counts as play.)
9. Get outside: Being in nature helps reduce cortisol and boost creativity. Forest bathing and star bathing can be majorly beneficial for our mental health, but even simply walking outside barefoot and feeling the earth underneath your feet can help you feel more grounded.
10. Outsource your decisions: Decision paralysis is real; don’t let your self-care time turn into doomscrolling from bed (again). Write self-care ideas on slips of paper, toss them in a jar, and let fate decide your next act of kindness to yourself. No overthinking allowed.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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