How to get started with a self-care routine

The World Health Organization introduced us all to the idea of self-care. While the definition has evolved over the years, the importance of this act remains the same.

Self-care is the daily, routine steps you take to manage your mental and physical health and wellbeing. It doesn’t have to take huge amounts of time, money or effort – it simply needs to make you feel good.

Life is not just about surviving, it’s about thriving, so let’s take a closer look at why that’s so important, and simple ways you can introduce self-care into your own life.

The importance of self-care

Self-care – whether that’s regular exercise, a nutritious diet, mindfulness and breathing techniques, a quality skin care routine or getting enough sleep – is vital for keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy and enhancing your everyday wellbeing.

And when our own studies have shown that on average, we’d like to make it to 91, then self-care is going to be one step to help achieve that kind of longevity and enjoying it at the same time.

Self-care essentials

Self-care is all about finding what works for you, and what helps you improve your physical and mental wellbeing in a way that you can maintain long-term. It’s not a one size fits all approach, so think about what makes you feel good and find ways to incorporate that into each day or week.

Perhaps it’s one of your New Year resolutions to introduce a new self-care routine or to enhance your existing routine, so here are a few essential tips and items to get you thinking about what works for you:

Be proactive with regular health check-ups: Set up running appointments with your GP, dermatologist, optometrist, and any other specialist you need for your physical and mental wellbeing.
Eat healthier foods: Maintaining a nutritious and balanced diet is vital for a healthy gut and overall wellbeing.
Prioritise your sleep: As a general rule, adults over the age of 65 should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. The benefits of quality sleep are plentiful, from reducing stress, to improving your mood, maintaining a healthy weight or even lowering the risk of health problems.
Staying active: This could be anything from yoga or Pilates, or low-impact workouts like walking or swimming.
Find ways to relax and reduce stress: Meditation can be a great tool to assist you in relaxation. Set aside five minutes each day to allow yourself a sense of calmness and balance.
Time outside: Spending time in nature can be wonderful for your mental health, and it can be as easy as stepping outside or taking a stroll around the block.
Social connection: Spending time with family and friends can help boost your wellbeing and assist in strengthening your support systems.
Make time for the things you love: In such a busy world, it’s easy to put the things we love to do on the backburner but finding time for the things you enjoy in life is crucial. This could be anything from reading a great book, watching your favourite television show or time spent in the garden.
Invest in quality skin care: While they may have a higher price tag, organic and chemical-free products often contain the best ingredients for your skin. Also remember the importance of quality sunscreen to protect you from sun damage and skin cancer (and can also help with preventing those fine lines and wrinkles).
Professional development: Self-care also applies to your work, so seek opportunities for growth and development in your workplace as well.

Self-care beauty tips

If you’re looking to improve your natural exterior glow as much as your interior one, there are a few self-care beauty tips to keep in mind.

As we age, our skin can get thinner and flatter, and dries out more easily. Therefore, a regular moisturising routine with high-quality moisturisers and serums can help to recapture some of that healthy glow. With so many products available, ask your dermatologist for the best ones for your skin type.

Similarly, hair can become drier and more brittle. To combat dry hair, you could opt for hair masks, more regular trims to keep the split ends at bay, avoid shampoos that contain sulphates and silicone, and limit the use of heat styling products. Any good hairdresser can point you in the right direction with your hair in mind.

As we know, regular exercise is key to our physical health but in more good news, it is also known to help in boosting collagen in our skin, as well as even evening out skin tone and calming facial puffiness.

Self-care is in the details

Self-care isn't just skin deep and can be anything that makes you feel good about yourself. When creating a new self-care routine or enhancing your existing one, take a look at the areas in your life that you could improve that may help strengthen your overall wellbeing. One of those things could be peace of mind knowing that your family’s financial future is protected through life insurance. Take the first step by requesting a quote today.

19 Jan 2024