You may have heard the term “self-care isn’t selfish” from any number of platforms, events, or postings, and we want to emphasize that. Here’s a list of 5 ways you can incorporate self-care into your daily routine and work to eliminate unnecessary stress.

Meditation

Whether you decide to make meditation a part of your daily routine, or use it as a resource when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a great way to regain your headspace and composure. Meditation aids in relaxing you by encouraging mindfulness through focus and breathing exercises. If you’re new to meditation and are looking for a place to start, we recommend apps like Calm and Headspace.

Spend time outside

Our bodies naturally crave sunlight and clean air, so taking a few minutes to step outside can be a great way to calm yourself in those moments of stress. Focusing on your breathing and your 5 senses when outdoors is a great technique to ground yourself and release tension to get you back in the right headspace to continue your daily activities. 

Get organized

Lack of organization, whether it be your home, office, or even your agenda, can cause unnecessary added stress to your day to day life. Take time to ensure your space, as well as your mind, is organized and well maintained. As they say, a cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. By regaining that control, your mind will realize a new level of comfort and confidence as you continue on in your daily activities.

Snuggle your pet

There’s a reason animal therapy has grown so popular in recent years, and it’s because it really does work. Engaging the part of your brain that produces dopamine and serotonin when petting, playing with, or even being in the same room as an animal, can cause a significant decrease in your stress levels. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to focus on spending time with your dog, cat, or any other animal in your life that brings you joy.

Be sure you’re getting enough sleep

Even though we can’t always stop what we’re doing to get some rest, working to incorporate an adequate sleep schedule into your daily routine will work wonders for your stress management. Knowing the healthiest amount of sleep for your age group, and finding ways to implement and maintain it throughout your daily routine will keep your mind and body fresh enough to handle any challenge that comes your way.

That’s it for our self-care tips to reduce stress. As always, if you’re looking to live in a community that makes it easy to practice self-care, you can always shop RPM communities across the US by checking out our Communities page.