Practicing self-care is so important for the maintenance of our personal health and wellness. It’s like how airline attendants instruct passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before assisting others—if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re affecting your ability to take care of the people around you. Not only that, but neglecting yourself can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being.

It’s always a good time to identify some everyday things you can do to practice self-care to help your mind and body. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself without breaking the bank.

Reconnect with your inner self

When life gets chaotic, it can help to slow down for a minute and listen to your inner dialogue. For some this might involve a creative outlet like drawing, painting or writing, while for others it might be a physical outlet like taking up yoga, going for a jog, or enrolling in a fitness class.  When you are listening to your mind and body, you feel healthy and more productive, and your self-esteem gets a boost.

Pamper yourself

You may not have the time for a spa day, but you can still indulge yourself at home by taking a long bath with your favourite essential oils. You could apply a deep-clean conditioner to your hair or nourish your skin with your favourite lotion. When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, self-care is usually the first thing to go. We may feel guilty or indulgent taking some time to ourselves when we already have so much on our plates, but it’s crucial to look after ourselves if we want to avoid feeling burned out.

Unplug and disconnect

In this digital era, many of us are permanently plugged into the outside world. We’re constantly checking our emails and social media feeds, but now and then stepping away from it all can make a world of difference—even if it’s for an hour or two. Put down the phone, close the lid on your computer, and read a book that’s on your shelf, walk through the park, or meet a friend for coffee.

Consult with an expert

Most of us feel intense pressure to be perfect. We want to excel at work and be good parents to our children. But while we’re focusing all our energy on others we forget to take care of ourselves. If you’re looking for more ways to support your self-care journey, our London Drugs advisors are happy to talk to you about other ways to practice self-care.

Feeling stressed or burnt out? Find out how to simplify your life, get support, and use relaxation techniques to fight stress from our London Drugs Pharmacy.