Most of us immediately go to the doctor when we feel flu-ish or nagging pain. So, why don’t we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain, when we feel sad, lonely, why we don’t work with ourselves to avoid it?

 OK, I know what you’re thinking, I do not have enough time for that. Sometimes it’s hard to prioritize self-care because we can become so pressed for time. But, do you know that to feel good, you don’t need to spend lots of money on luxury items and other experiences.

Only 20 minutes once a week is more than enough to work with yourself.

Can this be true? Check these 15 tips that can help you to increase your self-care!

Self Love

1. Listen to yourself

When was the last time when you did absolutely nothing for the whole 10 minutes? No texting, talking, and even thinking. Refreshing your mind for 10-15 minutes a day, simply by being mindful end experiencing the moment, helps to relax and feel aware of where you are and what you are doing.

2. Do affirmations

In case you find yourself feeling sad because of negative thoughts, affirmations can help you. By using positive statements, you can challenge self-sabotaging and overcome it. It’s easy to notice the positive changes; you just need to believe in then and repeat them. Choose a statement that is positive, and every day take 3 minutes to say it slowly for ten times. Focus on that statement, and don’t argue with it!

3. Get out of your comfort zone

Your comfort zone is a dangerous place. It stops you from improving and prevents you from achieving all the things you have always wanted. So, try to do something that you wouldn’t do and start experiencing positive changes.

Read Time

4. Read

When was the last time you read a book or magazine article? If you are one of the many people who do not have the habit of reading regularly, you need to think about it. Even 5-20 minutes of reading reduces your stress levels, improves focus and concentration, and entertains you. So, put down your phone and read something that makes you smile.

5. Stretch

Stretching is an extremely important practice that complements your daily routine for better health. Even if you are not planning on intense exercise, it is still important to stretch to gain a lot of benefits for your body and mind.

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6. Take a power nap

Do you think a power nap is for preschool only? Think again. The nap can benefit both your health and your productivity. The power nap is a nap, that is long enough to make you more productive during the day, but not long enough to make you quarrel or be unable to sleep at night.

7. Listen to music

Charles Darwin once said that “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.” It’s a fact that listening to music can improve both mental well-being and our physical health in surprising and unexpected ways.

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8. Watch a funny clip on the Internet

It is clear that laughter is potent medicine. It brings people together in a way that causes healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Nothing works faster or more reliably to get your mind and body in balance again than a good laugh. As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, so being and adults doesn’t mean that it needs to change.

9. Take a walk in nature

Regardless of the weather, walking in nature is not only good for your heart and fitness, but also it has measurable mental benefits and can reduce the risk of depression. Let’s not forget that spending time in nature has a calming effect and helps reduce stress, improves your brain to function better, and promotes creativity and concentration.

Goals

10. Set your goals

Goals are what lead us forward in life. They are the oxygen to our dreams and the first step in every journey we take. Goal setting helps to stimulate new behaviors, divert your attention, and maintain those moments in life. So, take time and dream about your future, think about what exactly you want, and how it needs to look like.

11. Spend time with your pet

Not only do pets make our lives richer, but they also help us live longer. As much as we take care of them, they find ways to take care of us as well. Spending time with animals provides delight, happiness, and instant relief from stress and anxiety. Animals give unlimited love. When needed, they are always with us, and they are the best companions in our lives.

12. Be selfish

Being selfish is sometimes good. Why? Because we get stuck giving and giving away so much of ourselves just because we are taught that selfishness is bad. Sometimes you just have to say no because it can be beneficial to you. Don’t get me wrong; if you can’t take care of yourself, then you can’t take care of others.

drinking water

13. Drink some fresh lemon water

Lemon is a popular citrus fruit, but it’s also a versatile one. Not only is lemon used as a fragrance but also for its medicinal value. A rich source of vitamin C, lemon, has enormous health benefits, starting with antibacterial and antiviral properties and boosting immunity. Lemon juice is also an effective way to reduce weight as it increases the body’s metabolism.

14. Moisturize

Daily moisturizing is essential for healthy skin. Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and it requires constant attention to stay young, blemished, and healthy. Skin moisturizing is essential for maintaining a glowing, vibrant complexion and protecting from toxins.

Sun

15. Get some vitamin D from the sun

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin that most people will never have enough of. Sunlight is believed to increase the release of a hormone called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is associated with elevating mood and helping a person to feel calm and focused. Sunlight also improves sleep quality, brain function, and blood pressure.