Home Sanctuaries: Five Self-Care Activities You Can Do In A Condo Unit
It is no question that everyone is seemingly busy in this modern world.
With most of us racing to reach our goals and dreams, we tend to overlook what is truly important at the end of the day. In a hyper-connected world where many are doing their own thing to get ahead, it is inevitable to face a lot of distractions. Many of us have become addicted to our work, while there are just some of us who have tight schedules. Undeniably, those with stressful jobs get too wrapped up in work responsibilities and consumed with technology. All of these make us forget to make time for an important person in our lives: ourselves.
Many of us may have acclimated to the new normal and have resultantly adjusted to a new routine which includes working remotely from home. However, making sure that we take good care of our body, mind, and soul daily is paramount. That said, it is imperative to learn how to eat right, exercise regularly, de-stress, and take a break whenever you need it. You may have magically transformed an area in your condominium into a makeshift office. Still, at the end of the day, it is important to remember that your home is your sanctuary. For that reason, you need to maximize your time in the condo for work and relaxation and give a little attention to practicing self-care starting today.
WHAT IS SELF-CARE?
In essence, self-care can be defined as a meaningful gift of self-love and appreciation. Therefore, any activity that we do and practice to step back and rejuvenate ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally is an act of self-care.
However, taking care of ourselves and giving ourselves a break can mean different things to different people. Some individuals may enjoy alone time in a spa in a bubble bath, listening to their favorite music while sipping their favorite beverage. Alternatively, others may see unwinding as an opportunity to go outdoors and immerse themselves in nature. For these individuals, nothing beats enjoying the fresh air while hiking or biking, as they see this as the purest form of clearing their minds. Finally, some just wish to spend time at home with family and friends to give them a chance to reset themselves.
There is no right or wrong way to practice self-care, and how you define it is your prerogative.It is so much more important to measure self-care rather than define it. That said, we should be focusing on how we can benefit from self-care rather than defining what it is. Keep in mind that self-care is a means of being more productive. Many studies have shown that productivity increases if you give yourself a break once in a while. So, whether you take an hour from your day daily or even just fifteen minutes from your busy schedule, you will instantly feel refreshed. After all, you should never let yourself be consumed by your hectic schedule that you resultantly forget how to live your life. Another great thing about self-care is that it inspires you to come up with new and fresh ideas.
However, self-care does not really require you to have unlimited space. Fortunately, you can do many simple things to engage in self-care activities, even if you are just staying in your condo. All you need to do is figure out which self-care activities work best for you. Once you are able to determine which one best suits you, incorporate it into your regular routine and allow it to boost your overall well-being. Just think of the simple activities you can do in your condo that allow you to take a break, rest, relax, and rejuvenate yourself—even for a short while. Below are just some of the examples that can help you get started with your self-care journey in your condo:
1.) Unplug and convene with nature
Open green spaces are highly sought-after in these modern times owing to their calming nature. Moreover, for many individuals, these places can be a source of solace as they encourage you to unplug from technology which takes up most of your day. Luckily, most condominiums put emphasis on wide open spaces and feature pocket gardens in their common areas. In these spaces, you can relax and just take in the scenery or savor the relaxing atmosphere. Alternatively, you may opt to dedicate a day for a refreshing swim or just lounge by the pool and socialize with neighbors.
2.) Get enough sleep
Enough sleep is paramount, and it should form part of your self-care routine in the condo. Your sleep quality can significantly impact how you feel emotionally and physically. Not getting enough of it in a day can be quite detrimental to your health. To ensure you get enough sleep: Consider your nightly habits and routine.
Avoid drinking coffee late into the day and taking sugar, as both can keep you awake at night.
Avoid stress and distractions too.
Leave work responsibilities at the office, and do not bring them home.
Give yourself a five-minute break for every hour that you work or a fifteen-minute break for every couple that you do to refresh your mind. In this way, you can be more productive and resultantly reduce the work that you have to do. Lastly, be sure that your bedroom is a place for relaxation. It should be devoid of distractions, while your bed should enable you to get a good REM sleep.
3.) Exercise
Developing a regular exercise habit and routine can significantly help you both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that exercise can boost your mood, reduce anxiety and stress while helping you get in shape. Exercise is also important if you wish to develop a faster metabolism and burn more calories in a day. It builds muscles and strong bones and increases your energy levels. Most condominiums come with their own gym, which unit owners are free to use however they please. However, if you do not have time for a quick workout at the gym, you can find alternative ways to get your body moving. Even a 30-minute walk five times a week is already significantly better than just sitting at your desk the entire day. Another thing you can do is dedicate a small area in your condo to a functional workout space. This space should be big enough to allow you to perform various exercises online that you can easily follow.
4.) Maintain a healthy diet
Part of self-care is eating right and healthy. Ensuring that your body gets all the essential nutrients is vital to your overall well-being. It is also worth noting that the food you eat affects your feelings. It can make you feel good and energized in more ways than one. Other times, food can keep you alert and ensure your mind works. All that said be sure that you have a healthy stock of self-care food in your condo that will keep you energized and nourished. Some of the things you should have are fatty fish, green leafy vegetables, and nuts. Of course, you should not forget to add some fruits as well. Apart from eating right, eating regularly and whenever you feel hungry is important. Feeling hungry is a good indicator that you are healthy and that your body is telling you that it needs food. That said, be sure to feed yourself only healthy food and avoid packaged food, junk food, or fast food as much as possible.
Regarding self-care with food, it helps to determine what food can be considered healthy. Along with this, you should also develop a better mindset when it comes to eating. At the end of the day, it is about eating clean, healthy, and right. What you should eat should never make you feel guilty or ashamed of whatever you eat.
5.) Read self-help and self-improvement books
In this time and age, trends tend to come and go. It is an age of constant distractions at work and home, and there is always an incessant pressure to always be “on,” even during off hours. It can be difficult to take a break from it all. Taking care of your mental health may not always be the easiest task, but there are ways that will help you do it. One way to ensure that you are mentally healthy in your condo is to read self-help and self-improvement books. These books will give you indispensable tools to inspire and motivate you to be an even better version of yourself. So, in lieu of scrolling through your social media feed endlessly, consider investing your time in reading books that can help you mentally and inspire you with self-care tips. With so many self-help books available, all you need to do is find the most helpful and applicable one for you. That said, it is also important that you find the right fit.