Self-care sounds like it may be a hard concept to get involved with. That is because, as a society, we have not taken the time to truly explore how we treat ourselves on a daily basis. Self-care can be very simple and easy to get started with. Here some super simple ideas to get you started on taking better care of yourself, physically and mentally.

1. Get Back To Nature:

   The first idea will not be for everyone, as it depends on where you live or what sort of transportation you may have. You may have heard the term "getting back to nature." It has several meanings, one of which is immersing yourself in the natural surroundings and absorbing energy. You get energy from the sun and from standing with your bare feet in soil or grass. This is connecting you to the earth and the universe, which has been shown to help with physical and mental healing. Studies have shown that pine trees emit a scent that, when inhaled, opens up the various parts of the lungs to help you breathe better—as such, walking in the woods and putting your bare feet in the moss or soil is a magnificent way to do self-care.

    

2. Practice the art of self-love or self-compassion:

   Many people give of themselves to others in need but ignore themselves, leading to negative mental thoughts. When you make mistakes, learn to not to beat yourself up and ask yourself what you can learn and how you can grow.

    

3. Proper Sleep:

   Proper sleep means different things to different people. For the vast majority of society, the optimum sleep time is between 7 to 8 hours per night. You need to drift off quickly and get into a deep sleep, so if this is difficult, research the different ways you can sleep quicker. During the day, consider a 20 power nap to let your brain reset. Self-care means you do not allow yourself to get overtired, make constant mistakes or get into moods that negatively affect you and your loved ones.

    

4. Eat to fuel your body, not to comfort it:

   Far too many look for foods that make them feel good for a few minutes, and then they return to the negative mood they were in. In many cases, this is due to sugar content, which wreaks havoc on the body's system. Work towards stopping sugar and eating fruit, vegetables, and lean meat or fish. Hydrate frequently during the day, staying away from soda or the ever-popular energy drinks. You will notice an improved mood, digestive system, and even healthier skin in a short time. What you put into your body is part of your daily self-care habit.

    

5. Take a few minutes each day to meditate:

   This habit will help you to pause and reset your body and mind. We need to step away from the electronics and hustle of everyday life at least several times a day. You can meditate in the morning and then take a 10 minute pause in the afternoon. Try closing your eyes, and then visualize a sunset on the beach.

    

6. Get into the habit of journaling and have more than one journal:

   You should use at least a regular journal and a gratitude journal. The regular journal is for your daily thoughts and asking yourself healing questions about how you are feeling in the moment and what you need to do to change a negative thought pattern. Your gratitude journal helps you see how wonderful your life is and that it is far more abundant than you currently believe.

    

7. Your final habit for today is learning the art of not being a “Yes” person:

   Far too many times, you will find yourself agreeing to do things that are not part of your belief system or that you find stressful. Learn to say no when it is most appropriate. Saying no can be done very politely and without hurting anyone's feelings. For example, when asked to do something that will bother you, simply reply, "I would be happy to do that, but unfortunately, I already made plans for that day." This type of self-care habit is excellent for your mental wellbeing and should not be ignored or avoided.