In Praise of Self-Care

After a stressful day at work, we often justify unhealthy behaviors under the guise of “self-care.” Had an unpleasant conversation with a colleague? There’s nothing like a chocolate candy bar to remove the

bad vibes! Feeling down because you didn’t get to finish your work? Then buy that cute shirt you’ve been eyeing for the past month. These justifications, when put together, turn our instinct of feeling better into unhealthy and unwise choices.

Instead of self-indulgence, we believe that real self-care is about doing small yet consequential things that make life more pleasant not only for the present but also for the future. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of what we believe are simple changes that would lead to big outcomes.

ATTEMPT TO SLEEP EARLY

Go to bed at a reasonable time, so you feel good about the upcoming day. Instead of playing video games on your phone or finishing an entire series on Netflix, try getting some shut-eye earlier and reflecting on the day to come.You’ll find this extra time for self-reflection is not only good for your sleep habits, but also beneficial for your mental health.

EAT BETTER

Strive to make better food choices, even if all you want to do is to drown your sorrows on matcha ice cream and chocolate-covered corn puffs.Why not try out healthier versions of the food you love?You can enjoy the sugary sweetness of ice cream but without the guilt with some GullónYogurt Sandwich Biscuits.You can eat better carbs by replacing your white bread habit with some Duru Bulgur.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE

Help your future self with the burden of choosing by laying out the clothes that you will wear for the next day. When you wake up, this difficult decision is already made for you, so you’re free to focus on other things. Simple habits like this make busy mornings less hectic and more enjoyable.

CREATE A HEALTHY ROUTINE

Instead of scrolling down on the endless feeds of your phone, take some time to write down a simple recount of your day’s events.You’ll discover that this simple habit of jotting down your thoughts for the day will help you process unhelpful emotions and magnify positive ones. If you’re at a loss of what to write, you can start with a straightforward list of what you’re thankful for.

INTEGRATE EXERCISE INTO YOUR DAY

Try to get up early and be the first one in the gym, even if all you want to do today is to lie down in bed watching FRIENDS reruns. Comfort yourself with the fact that even just thirty minutes of exercise can make you more resilient to sicknesses and stress. Bring a pack of Gullón Digestive Biscuits to boost your energy for a productive workout.

TAKE YOUR VITAMINS

One of the wonders of modern medicine is the existence of these handy pills that supplement the nutrients that your diet lacks. Give yourself a constant reminder to take your vitamins religiously because these help keep sicknesses at bay. If you have forgetful loved ones who may not take their supplement for menopause, perhaps you can give them a call to remind them.

The right mindset towards self-care is generous compassion towards our internal state of affairs. If you feel troubled about your day and in need of a pick me up, don’t let yourself fall for the allure of unhealthy habits. Instead make decisions that would compel your future self to exclaim, “thank you for choosing better.” — (TGM)