Self-care has become one of the most popular words in the last couple of years. Of course, this is not a new thing but recently, it has become a big trend. Not that we’re complaining! It’s definitely a trend worth doing. However, make sure that you really know how to practice real self-care.

Self-care is more than just going to the spa and slathering luxurious oils on your body, although that definitely sounds so good too! Real self-care, requires a lot more work and intentional living. If you do it right, you can completely change your life for the better.

Here are some doable tips on how to practice real self-care:

1.      Take some time off.

We live in times when hustling and grinding are celebrated too much. While it is important to work hard to reach your goals, it is not worth sacrificing your health. Burnout is real and it has major consequences! Your body can suffer from lack of sleep and your mental health will also be negatively affected.

To avoid burnout, it is a must to take some time off. And don’t say that it’s not possible with your busy schedule! If you prioritize yourself, you can definitely make time to rest. Dedicate a whole day that’s all about slowing down and relaxing. Rest can help you recharge and gain more energy to perform even better and work even harder.

2.      Eat healthy.

Girl, you can’t be preaching about self-care when you are not taking care of your body. Nothing wrong with eating cheeseburgers and pepperoni pizza but too much of these can lead to serious illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.

Remember – too much of anything is bad. It is always best to enjoy food in moderation. Don’t eat too much processed foods and greasy fast food. Add healthy greens and superfoods to your meals. Fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants can detoxify your body.

3.      Unplug from social media.

Almost everyone these days has a mobile phone but we are more disconnected from each other than ever. Anxiety and depression rates are higher than ever, even if there is so much entertainment and information available through the Internet. Social media has become such a toxic platform filled with fighting, fake news and flexing!

It is normal for anyone to drown in all the toxicity in social media. If you find yourself feeling anxious or triggered from all the hate on Facebook and Instagram, then it’s time to unplug. You may need a couple of days away from social media. Don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere! Stop focusing too much on social media because you might be missing out on what’s happening in the real world.

4.      Practice being grateful.

Too often, we get so caught up in the comparison game, which is very bad for your mental health. If you find yourself feeling envious of what you see on social media or questioning your self worth, you need to do a little bit of inner work.

If you want to practice real self care, you need to practice gratitude. Appreciate the simple things – like having a roof over your head, being healthy, having great relationships and just being able to breathe right now. You might think that these are not important but these are actually what makes a good life. Make it a habit to be grateful of what you have and you won’t feel so anxious trying to hustle and grind. There are so many reasons to be grateful, you just have to look in the right places!

5.      Do activities that you enjoy.

When life gets too busy, we sometimes get lost in the grind and end up not having time for ourselves. When work-life balance fails, you end up feeling burnout and depressed. To get your motivation up again, it is a must to make time to do activities that you enjoy. In other words, you need some soul food!

It doesn’t matter what it is – dancing, baking, hiking, reading, gardening, painting – clear a couple of hours from your day and make time to do things you enjoy. When you do activities that make you happy, your body releases serotonin, a.k.a “happy hormones”, which can fight off your anxiety and worries away.

These simple tips will help you to practice real self-care in your daily life. There are so many more that you can do but the ultimate goal is to prioritize your needs first. And then, top that off with regular mani-pedis, spa days or at-home aromatherapy sessions and you will surely spend your days a lot happier!