Simple Self Care For When You're Feeling Down

Have you been feeling sad or stressed lately? Life is hectic for so many of us, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you think you might be depressed, it’s important to get professional help and reach out to loved ones. But whether you’re going through a bad day or a bad month, a little simple self-care can take the edge off and have you feeling more happy and relaxed.

Looking after stressed out skin

Our skin can be the first thing to take a hit when we’re stressed or low. It’s not uncommon to break out in spots due to stress, or you might have dark circles from sleepless nights. Whatever your skin woes, take a little time for mindfulness meditation. Having healthy, glowing skin on the outside can really boost your self-esteem and help you to feel better on the inside, too. Plus, it gives you an excuse to pamper yourself. Why not put on a face mask and relax with a good book tonight?

Treat yourself to calm

If you are stressed out or feeling blue, you might be finding it hard to switch off. Could you treat yourself to a little oasis of calm? A warm bubble bath with candles, or even a long, hot shower, can shield you from the outside world and leave you feeling relaxed. Water can be incredibly soothing. When you get out of the water, why not try a little mindfulness meditation to soothe your mind? Getting into the habit of meditating, even for a short time, can help you to keep a calmer mood throughout the day and navigate life’s stresses with a bit more ease.

Relax tense muscles

Our body can store stress and mental pain in ways we don’t even realize. If you’re going through a rough patch, you might have noticed your shoulder, neck or back are sore. Why not look into massage therapy and treat yourself to some relaxation? Massage can have incredible benefits for both the mind and body. If you can’t afford a massage treatment, you could ask a loved one to rub your shoulders or you could invest in a hand-held massage tool. You could try stretching out sore muscles with a little yoga, too. There are many free videos on YouTube that you can try, so you can stretch in the comfort of your own home.

Take a load off your mind

If your thoughts are racing and feel out of control, getting them down on paper can really help. Try just scribbling down your thoughts, without any fear of judgment. It can be soothing to take a step back and realize that you are actually separate from your thoughts. Once you’ve got the bad thoughts out on paper, you can throw them away if that helps. Perhaps you’ll want to start a gratitude journal. Research shows keeping a gratitude journal can be beneficial for mental health. Focusing your energy on all the tiny things that are going right can help you to face the more challenging things with a more positive mindset.