Body

Because our physical health is so precious, we need to take care of it even when we are upset or exhausted and we don’t feel like doing so. Our moods and feelings determine our decisions. But, when it comes to our health we need to overcome any resistance or unwillingness to take care of our body and NEVER hesitate.

To know how to take care of our body, it’s important to figure out its needs. These can be put into 4 categories which are set in order of priority.

1. Basic needs

These are those needs that we can’t survive without namely eating, getting hydrated, and sleeping. This means to stay healthy we must care about the kind of food we eat, the amount of water we drink every day, and our sleeping habits. (To get hydrated and sleep well read this post).

When we work we may not have time to cook a healthy meal or prepare a nutritious breakfast in the morning. So, during this season try healthy recipes, and don’t forget to care a lot about your BREAKFAST. Because there is a common consensus that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Indeed, a lot of studies have shown the nutritional value of this meal and its relation with improving brain function (concentration and memory), jumpstarting our metabolism, controlling weight, and leaving blood pressure stable throughout the day.

However, a nutritious, well-balanced breakfast is necessary to provide those health outcomes. To this end, consider having eggs, butter (peanut, almond, cashew), cottage cheese, greek yogurt, fruit (bananas, apples, berries of all kinds), nuts, green tea, or coffee in your breakfast.

For the other meals, you’d better avoid greasy burgers, hot dogs, and all oily junk food and eat instead green beans, bell pepper, okra, eggplant, veggies, grilled fish, corn on the cob, and fruit.

2. Personal cleanliness and hygiene needs

These needs are the essential elements of any self-care routine. Maintaining personal cleanliness and hygiene is also an essential part of healthy living. Besides washing our hands frequently and brushing our teeth showering is also required to keep our body clean.

According to an article published by TwentyTwoWords not taking a shower for two days leads to health problems. We can easily get sick as the bad bacteria will find their way to our eyes, nose, or mouth.

In addition to the nasty smells from our bodies, skipping showering leads to a skin infection. Showering helps prevent oils in the skin from building up, so it keeps the skin blemish-free.

Still, too much shower is not recommended since it can leave our skin feeling dry and flaky. Depending on our skin type, showering every two or three days might be enough.

Keeping our home clean is also very important. It does not only reduce bacteria and helps prevent insects, but it also contributes to our well-being.

Making all sorts of cleaning, washing, ironing, keeping clothes in a dry place, and putting everything in its place is a kind of self-care because we can easily get what we want, in the state we want it and so we feel more comfortable and happy.

Therefore, set a schedule for your home cleaning routine. This includes both those daily cleaning practices (washing the dishes, cleaning the floor) and those that have to be regularly done (for instance, washing sheets and bedding at least twice a month).

Don’t forget to air your mattress regularly by opening all windows and allowing the sun to shine on it or leaving it out in the sun to air (more than 6 hours).

3. Exercise needs

Exercising is pertinent to stay healthy. What is important here is not only how much you exercise but what kind of exercise your body needs to feel better. I remember well the best advice I got was from my doctor who told me that swimming was what I needed for my back pain.

So, ask your doctor about the kind of sport you need even if you have no health issues. Then, make your goal clear to get more motivated to pursue it.

To create an exercise habit, set a schedule for yourself and decide which days and times you can stick with it. To make things much easier, start small with an easy workout of 15 minutes 2 times a week to follow through then expand your schedule later on.

Developing exercise rituals is what helps you stick with this self-care routine. To do so, you need to push yourself even if you don’t feel like exercising. Creating reminders and incentives can help, like enlisting a friend, setting clothes out the night before, using sticky notes, etc.

4. Beauty needs

Beauty does matter for both men and women because it affects how one feels about oneself. Though we’re aging, we need to take care of it because it makes a difference.

We can do so at home following certain rituals: deep cleansing (twice a day) is vital for a brighter and softer complexion. Exfoliating with a face scrub is also necessary to help buff away those dead skin cells. Using face masks and moisturizing are also required. Don’t forget to moisturize at night using a nourishing night cream.

In summer, using a lightweight, water-based moisturizer is recommended (twice per day). To protect your skin, wear sunscreen every day when going out. Choose one with an SPF value.

For hair care, deciding the best shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask for you is important. Avoiding blow-drying and flat ironing is recommended in this hot summer. Also, to protect your hair try to cover it in the sun (using, for instance, a hat).

We should not forget that getting hydrated, sleeping well, and beating stress help us not only feel but also look healthy.

You’re the only one who is responsible for his health and body. Nobody knows your body like you. So, take care of it, you know its needs.