10 tips for daily self-care

What does self-care mean during a global pandemic?

Not a priority?

Haven’t got time?

Or maybe you’re not working now and so you don’t feel you’ve earned your ‘me-time’. Well I believe self-care has never been so important to implement into our daily lives.

Many of us are struggling mentally and even physically during this time. Anxiety, depression and sleep issues can crop up when there is an amount of uncertainty to our life structure.

That’s why it’s so important to dedicate time each day to YOU! And the best place to start is ROUTINE! A lack of routine can put our body clock out, affecting sleep and mood. A few things can help. Here are my top 10 tips for self-care:

1 - wake and rise at the same time each day, to set our body clock to normal.

2 - get outside as soon as possible and put your face in the sun (as much as is possible here in the northern hemisphere!) This lets the pineal gland in the brain know it is time to get going.

3 - eat 3 regular meals, don’t skip any, and try to stick to a timetable for those meals.

4 - move your body - preferably outside. Exercise gives us purpose and drive and contributes to quality sleep.

5 - embrace a ‘wind-down’ practice each evening, such as a bath, or reading a book to calm the nervous system and switch off from the day.

6 - utilise natural light or switch lamps on, avoiding bright artificial lights, to support the natural body clock response. The pineal gland takes its cue from the sun going down to install sleep patterns, so try to replicate this as much as possible. I swear by my Lumie Sunrise Clock during the winter months.

7 - switch off screens 1-2 hours before bed to avoid the stimulating effects of blue light from screens.

8 - use Epsom salts to invoke relaxation. (Even bathing feet in them will be beneficial). The high magnesium content promotes sleep and calms the nervous system.

9 - engage in meditation before bed to calm a 'monkey mind'. Apps such as 'Calm' or 'Headspace' are excellent places for newbies to start.

10 - keep to a set bedtime each night. Often my clients report having a 'second wind' after 10pm, which can be a sign the adrenal glands are overactive, or a sign of a blood sugar imbalance. Try to avoid this by hitting the pillow before 10pm.