Life is crazy and hectic most of the time, and it can feel like you are doing things for everyone and taking care of everyone else except maybe the most important person: yourself.

Taking care of yourself is something a lot of people put on the bottom of their list, putting everything else ahead of them. The problem with that is that by the time you actually get to the things that you need for yourself you will most likely be overly exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And when this happens this exhaustion from not taking care of yourself and your needs can exhibit itself in negative ways such as being irritable, sick, or even through anxiety and depression.

Here are four ways to practice self-care today to make sure you are well-balanced in all that you do.

Take a break

Are you finding yourself overworked and constantly having way too much on your to-do list?

Part of self-care is understanding when you need to take a break and slow things down for a little bit. Take a break from social media and your phone for a while. Take a day or two off work, or get a babysitter and spend some time alone.

Doing these things will help to replenish and refresh you so you can go back to doing all the things you need to with more energy and gusto.

Make sleep a priority

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Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and can be an important part of self-care.

If you constantly deprive yourself of enough sleep it can cause some severe health issues, and somewhere down the line, you may find yourself visiting websites like tetoncancer.com because according to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting enough sleep can increase your chances of getting cancer.

Some things you can do are set a bedtime and make sure not to make any commitments that would interfere with it. Also, ask your spouse or family member to help out with kids when they can’t sleep at night so you can get sleep when you need to.

Fuel your body

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Eating healthy food is a great way to practice self-care, but it’s also good to allow yourself to indulge in the foods you love as part of self-care as well.

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Try your best to eat foods high in nutritional value like veggies, fruits, and lean proteins. But if you are craving something like chocolate or a cinnamon roll, allow yourself to enjoy those as well and treat yourself.

Avoid things and people that trouble you

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We live our lives surrounded by people, and sometimes those people can cause us stress, anxiety, and other issues.

When possible, try to remove the people and things that cause these emotions. Now if it is a case where you can’t necessarily do so because you work with them or maybe if they are a family member, make sure to only have interactions when necessary, and then to take a step back and have time and space away from them.

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Practicing self-care is an important part of your overall well-being and health, and it is not a selfish endeavor. Do what you need for you so you can continue doing what you need to for others.

The post 4 Ways To Practice Self-Care Today appeared first on InstantELLA.

Rachelle Jones, a women’s health doctor, helped us put together this list of self-care tips that you can do in 10 minutes or less each day.

1. Read

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Take a few minutes to read something that you enjoy. Whether it’s a magazine, a book, a blog, or even a Facebook post, take some time for yourself to sit and read something just for you.

2. Call a Friend

How long has it been since you called your best friend? Call a friend up and talk to them for a few minutes. They’ll appreciate the sentiment and you’ll feel much better after you’ve caught up with your friend.

3. Color

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Adult coloring books are all the rage. Pick on up for yourself, or print off a few pages of one, and sit down for 10 minutes or less and just color. Don’t worry about anything else except the task at hand. Let your mind relax as you fill the colors in the lines.

4. Meditate

All you need is a few minutes to meditate. Meditating is especially helpful if you find yourself stressed out or anxious a lot. If you’ve never meditated before, try a guided meditation with an app like Calm. This will help you clear your mind and focus only on yourself while shutting off all other stressors.

5. Listen to Music

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Music can be very therapeutic. Find a quiet place to relax for a few minutes and listen to two or three of your favorite songs. You’ll feel rejuvenated after this much needed break.

6. Go Outside

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Go for a short walk outside – or just go outside and sit. Allow the air to refresh your senses and clear your mind as you take in the nature that surrounds you.

7. Journal

Find a quiet place and write down your thoughts. Journaling allows you to reflect on everything that you are thinking and feeling. Write down positive thoughts and things you are grateful for.

The post 10 Minutes To Better Self-Care appeared first on InstantELLA.