5 Benefits of Creating a Life-Changing Self-Care Routine

Life can be busy and chaotic, and we rarely give ourselves a moment to think, let alone rest. We end up putting our needs on the back burner and this can cause us to struggle. Making self-care part of your daily life is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and well-being.

Here are 5 life-changing benefits you’ll experience if you make self-care a priority.

1. More Productive: Make self-care a priority and you automatically become more intentional with your time. You begin to scratch the tasks or commitments that don’t align with your values and say yes to those that do. Instead of pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion, you begin to watch for signs that you’ve reached your limit and you simply stop. Self-care allows you to refresh and recharge so you can accomplish your to-do list in a much more efficient way. 
2. Improved Physical Health: You take on a more proactive approach to your health and wellness and recognize the importance of an active lifestyle as well as listening to your body when it lets you know its ready for some rest and relaxation. Providing proper nourishment for your body and soul and going to the doctor on a regular basis are a big part of a healthy self-care routine. You’ll boost your immunity and keep sickness and fatigue at bay. Energy levels will begin to skyrocket, and your mood will improve as well when you make self-care a priority in your daily routine. 
3. Better Caregiver: It’s hard to care for or give someone else your time and energy when you’re running on empty. Self-care allows you to fill your cup first and recharge your batteries, so you have more to give to others when needed. No matter if you have small children or you’re taking care of an aging parent, the concept is the same. To operate at 100%, efficiency you have to make time for your own needs before anyone else’s. You’ll be much more compassionate and giving when you make yourself a priority.

“If you want to help her, you need to help yourself first. No one serves their friends by grinding themselves into dust on the altar of compassion.” ~ Seanan McGuire

4. More Gratitude: Practicing gratitude is a powerful form of self-care that will bring many positive changes to your life. You’ll feel happier, more confident, and focus less on what you don’t have. You find you appreciate the small things that used to go unnoticed and make more time to reflect on what’s truly important. You become more aware of the blessings in your life when you put yourself first. 
5. Self-Love: What areas of your life could use a little more love and compassion? Self-care helps you to become more aware of how you treat yourself inside and out. When you take care of your mind and body, it’s easier to see how you’ve neglected yourself over the years. Your eyes are open to the negative self-talk, unhealthy eating habits, and bad coping mechanisms you’ve allowed yourself to rely upon. That awareness is key in bringing more self-love into your life. 

These are just a few of the many benefits of making self-care a priority in your life. It doesn’t take a lot of time, effort, or money to begin, just a simple decision that you are going to start putting yourself first from this moment on.