20 self-care ideas and activities for 2019

As another year draws to a close, the need for lifestyle changes may feel more pressing to some of us. Whatever your needs are, change does come about when you look after yourself and prioritise what favours the whole of you, body and mind. If you believe in this concept but would like help translating it into action, below you will find 20 self-care ideas and activities to take better care of yourself in 2019:
- Go for short power walks (20 to 30 minutes) to keep you physically and mentally fit
- Put in place good sleep hygiene practices such as avoiding caffeine, smoking and drinking alcohol close to bedtime to improve sleep quality
- Incorporate breathing exercises into your daily routine to help you manage stress
- Try out a 8-week mindfulness meditation programme to help you focus and reconnect with yourself
- Stop smoking and cut back on alcohol and sugar to prevent disease
- Drink more water and eat more fruit and vegetables to boost your immune system
- Do yoga from home or go to a yoga studio once or twice a week to feel more flexible
- Start a Daily Record of Dysfunctional Thoughts to help you question negative thinking
- Listen to your body and slow down when feeling overwhelmed to avoid burnout
- Raise you level of awareness and identify the emotions that precede dysfunctional and excessive behaviour to promote self-regulation and control
- Practice self-acceptance and love by regularly recognising the value of your efforts to raise self-esteem
- When sad, angry, fearful and/or ashamed, connect with those feelings to become emotionally congruent and whole
- Treat emotional and psychological issues with respect and seek the help of a mental health professional to deal with them
- Watch comedy films and series to remind you to laugh and be silly
- Invest time and effort in functional and rewarding relationships to feel truly connected and happy
- Keep contact with friends to have a good support network
- Make time for socialising and meeting new people to have a satisfying social life
- When walking, cycling or driving, get out of your head to appreciate your surroundings
- Take longer or more frequent walks with your children and/or pets to keep you all healthy
- Start a new activity (be it mental or physical) to stimulate cognitive functioning
To take full advantage of the above and notice a change in the way you feel, make your chosen practices routine. Remind yourself that perseverance and patience are key when it comes to effective change.