5 Ways of Looking After Myself

I am notorious for not looking after myself. Considering I’ve had health issues over the last three years, that’s not exactly the best thing. I don’t seem to stick to routines when it comes to taking care of my body: from eating the right things to remembering to moisturise, I’m forever slipping up and regretting it.

I figured it was time to try and make myself do something about it. If I set myself rules, I won’t stick to them. But here are some of the things I try and keep an eye on when I can.

1. What I’m eating. This doesn’t mean that I’m always eating healthily. But it does mean that when I’ve had a bad few days and I have that bloated, sicky feeling that comes from eating junk food, I listen to what my body is telling me. That is when I make sure I have a healthy day the next day to have a little bit of a detox/goodness hit.
2. I’m not good at drinking lots of water. But I am a tea addict. While my fluid levels are generally okay because of that, I find getting into the habit of having a glass of something with lunch and dinner is a good way to ensure I’m drinking enough as it is that little bit extra.
3. Skin-care. I literally go from one extreme to the other with this. I try to remember to put some moisturiser on after the shower and before bed though. Most of the time I must admit to forgetting. But when I do it, I do it properly. So while I could admittedly take much better care of my skin than I do, I know there are a few times a week where I give it what it wants. It means it never causes me too many problems.
4. A few years ago, I was awful at sleeping. I would go to bed late and wake up early. If I thought I could handle it, I would still do that now. But being ill has taught me a lesson. If my body is craving sleep, then I give in to it. I still try and get up early but I’m much better about going for an early night and getting a decent amount of sleep.
5. Listening to my body. I have shoulder issues where they knot and tense up and I have to have it massaged out or it gets seriously painful. I used to just ignore it as long as I could. Now, if I feel it beginning to tense, I try and release it. If I can’t, I book in. It always makes me feel so much better.

In general, I’m much better at listening to what my body wants. I’m still not brilliant at taking care of myself. But at least I know how to keep myself functioning as a human being these days. What are your tips to keeping yourself going?