We’re all trying to reach our fitness goals or (even better) surpass them! We try the latest fitness trends, the newest technology, and focus on things like what we eat, how we sleep, and where we work.
Honestly, there’s so much to think about in the fitness world these days and it’s always changing. The goalposts never stay the same and we need to continue to evolve.
One of the latest things I’ve seen being talked about constantly is ‘self-care’. Well, what is self-care and how can it help me?
Self-care is…
Self-care is defined as ‘the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health’. It’s also defined as ‘the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.’
Why Should You Care?
It can help you grow as a person and live a healthier, happier life. You can be in better physical shape, feel better mentally, and be prepared for whatever comes.
More importantly, it’s the combination of your physical health with how you behave mentally. It is the collision of these things and can lead a very healthy, happy life!
What Self-Care Practices Should I Consider?
There are a number of self-care practices for you to consider. Here are a few popular ones that I love (and I think you’ll love as well):
(1) Yoga
This is definitely the most popular self-care practice – and for good reasons. Yoga is a great way to relax, reduce stress, improve flexibility, sweat out bad toxins, and just feel better (physically and mentally).
Yoga is done by so many people these days and there are different types that you might enjoy (hot yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yin Yoga, and more).
Watch a video online, sign up for a class, or hire an instructor to get you started. You’ll soon be living a better, healthier life because of this amazing activity.
(2) Meditation
Meditation includes all the mental positives of yoga (like stress relief, mentally recharging) without the physical aspect of it. It’s more of an activity to get you into the right mindset for whatever is happening in your life and make sure you are in a good mindset.
Meditate before a workout, before bedtime, or in the middle of a stressful day to energize you and make you feel better.
(3) Tai Chi
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese technique that can help you relax and get in touch with your body. It’s very similar to yoga and is a very graceful form of exercise for you to try out.
Each posture exerts physical energy and it flows into the next one, almost like an art form.
(4) Stretching
Just simply stretching is another great self-care practice to do and comes with a ton of positives, including improved flexibility, stronger muscles, and a calmer body.
Just carve out a few minutes a day to stretch and you’ll see the benefits in no time.
To Wrap Up:
To wrap up, it’s pretty simple: self-care is good. It can do so much for your body and mind, and lead to a healthy, happy life. If you can find some self-care practices that you enjoy, then you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your fitness results.
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