Self-Care Practices for a Resilient Body and a Serene Soul

*This is a guest post by Sophia Smith

Mindful living and self-care aren’t just fads. No, they represent a complete and utter necessity, especially in today’s hectic world that seems to have everyone more stressed than ever before. One of the generations most impacted by huge levels of stress are millennials, which is no surprise, given that most of them are burdened by student loans, job hunting or job-related stress. It is no wonder that they desperately need mindfulness. When you find yourself in the eye of the storm that is life, in order to not only survive but also thrive, you need to take a breather, look deep inside, listen closely to what your body’s telling you it needs and do your very best to provide it for it.

Self-love isn’t about consumeristic indulgence, it’s about spiritual indulgence, nurturing and loving your body and soul and committing to practices which will provide huge benefits for you as a whole. Despite what one might think, self-care isn’t either taxing or time-consuming. A little goes a long way in this case, but it’s vital you make each of these practices a part of your life, as together, they make that full circle that will lead your body and soul in the right direction.

Start with the basics

In your pursuit of wellness, it’s vital that you start from the top. This includes making sure you go to bed at a reasonable hour so you give your body and subsequently your skin, mind and soul enough time to repair and reboot, so you are ready to conquer the day. Eating healthy is another paramount element of self-care – what you bring into your body has a massive effect on your health and even mood, and with the awareness on the importance on healthy eating being at such a high level, snagging great and easy recipes has never been simpler, so you virtually have no excuses.  

Next in line is definitely some form of exercise. Movement is essential for your cardiovascular health, and beyond that, it has the power to elevate your energy levels and improve your mood, not to mention that, when you’re ‘in the zone’, you tune out all the noises and thoughts that generally occupy your mind and are able to just BE, which is what mindfulness is all about.

But which forms of exercise?

Granted, you are free to choose a form of exercise that suits your sensibility and your needs most, but if you ask us, you will always opt for yoga. The reason for this is that yoga goes beyond just physical activity. This ancient form of exercise won’t only make your body stronger, resilient and flexible – no, numerous spiritual benefits of practicing yoga have transpired long ago and they include awareness of the spirit, quietness of the mind and acceptance of the fact that there are certain things in life that are simply beyond our control. A clear, accepting mind doesn’t seem like a bad idea at all, in fact, it might just be the road to happiness and serenity.

Now, since yoga has the power to bring your mind and soul to this place, it is probably the perfect self-care physical activity, especially in the light of the fact that it helps you master the art of meditation that much easier. A truly meditative state is one that is challenging to achieve, but when yoga and meditation join forces you get a kind of a ‘body and mind power duo’ that is bound to give your entire being the benefits it so craves.

Relax, de-stress and decompress

Yes, all of the aforementioned practices will give you the happy and serene life you need and deserve, but they also require long-term commitment in order to provide you with life-long results. There are times when our mind and soul simply yearn some ‘instant’ pampering that will allow us to unwind and get rid of all the stress that’s been building up in our heads and shoulders. These might be short-term solutions, but hey, we’ll take whatever we can get.

One such practice that provides you with almost instant gratification is a spa day. A massage is always welcome to shed the stress from your shoulders, and when you don’t have the time to visit a spa, create your own. Grace your bathroom with candles, soothing music, incredibly scented vegan reed diffuser – amber and patchouli scent has a sublime effect on the senses. Indulge in a perfect bubble bath, give yourself a massage in the form of dry brushing, take care of the hair, the face, the body, and the ambiance and pampering will do their share for the soul. Home spa days aren’t just about indulgence, they’re about survival – at the end of each busy and stressful week you don’t only deserve, but need to be taken care of and who knows how to take care of you better than you?  

Wake up with meaning

One of the best practices of mindful living is waking up with a purpose. Before you get up and rush into your day, stay in bed for twenty minutes and just think about all the blessings in your life. It may sound corny, but saying ‘thank you’ for everything great in your life inspires humbleness and gives you not only humility, a peace of mind but also inspires you to be kind and to strive towards even more greatness.

After expressing your gratitude, sit back and visualize your day. You will not believe how great of an impact this has on your productivity and positivity. Being aware of what’s ahead of you makes you more prepared to face the bad and the challenging and relish the good, making you more resilient and stronger in every sense, and a little more every day.

 

*AUTHOR BIO:

Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, eco-lifestyle lover and graphic designer. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, BonVita Style, Cause Artist, Carousel, Secret Garden and Viva Glam Magazine

You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook  Twitter  Google +