10 Simple Ways to Show Yourself Some Love with Self-Care
If you’ve been feeling burned out, anxious, or overwhelmed lately, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, 52 percent of American workers are feeling burned out. The winter months can be a tough time of year, not to mention the ongoing pandemic paired with supply and labor shortages that have put extra pressure on us all.
This is why it’s more important than ever to focus on taking care of yourself! If the thought of adding self-care to your to-do list is adding to your stress, take a deep breath. Self-care can be simple “” and Ohio Valley Goodwill can help!
Get Started: Make a List
Experts agree that in order for your self-care to be effective, you need to be consistent and cover your wellness needs in all areas: mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally.
In order to keep yourself organized and consistent, start by making a list of self-care ideas in all areas. We’ve compiled some ideas below, with tips for how to be frugal about getting supplies at your closest Ohio Valley Goodwill store. Call that financial self-care!
Mental Self-Care
Taking care of your mind can keep you sharp. It’s like lifting weights, but for your brain! Here are some ideas to consider for your mental wellbeing:
- Piece together a puzzle. Puzzles are great mental exercise! You can find all types of jigsaw puzzles at Goodwill to challenge your mind.
- Put your creative side to work and try a new recipe. Ohio Valley Goodwill frequently has cookbooks, aprons, and small kitchen appliances!
Physical Self-Care
It seems obvious that we should take care of our bodies in order to stay well, but physical self-care is often one of the first things to go in stressful situations. Not any more! Here are a couple of ways to focus on physical self-care:
3. Take a walk or hit the gym. Talk yourself into just getting dressed, one foot in front of the other. For added motivation, get yourself some new activewear. When you shop at Goodwill, you can find stylish workout outfits that will make you want to get moving “”without a big investment!
4. Drink more water. Dehydration can make us feel anxious and moody. Head to Goodwill to pick up some fun glassware or a reusable water bottle to hold yourself accountable for drinking more water throughout the day!
Social Self-Care
Health researchers have found that friendships increase our sense of belonging and purpose, boost happiness and reduce stress. Elevate your social self-care with these ideas:
5. Plan a game night with family or friends! Head to Goodwill and pick out your favorite board games for all ages.
6. Get crafty. Goodwill is the perfect place to find everything you need for crafting with friends on a budget. Look for supplies like fabric, glass jars, frames, and more!
Emotional Self-Care
We can’t always make tough emotions go away, but we can find healthy ways to cope and stay positive. Here are ideas for taking care of your emotional side:
7. Start journaling. Reflecting on your feelings can help you process them better. Of course, you can look for just the right journal and writing supplies at Goodwill to get you in the writing mood.
8. Laugh. Grab a comedy DVD at Goodwill, or check out our book selection for a humorous read.
9. Unwind your mind. Set aside some ” me” time for relaxation. Check out your local Goodwill retail store for things like candles, inspirational books, and yoga mats to get started!
10. Give back. Making a difference contributes to our sense of purpose and is proven to make us feel happier. Volunteer at a local nonprofit, or donate to Goodwill!
Show Yourself Some Self-Care with Goodwill!
Hopefully, these ideas inspire you to invest in a little more self-care to keep stress at bay. Ready to get started? Find your nearest Ohio Valley Goodwill store and put your wellbeing first this winter!
P.S. Did you know that by shopping at Goodwill for your self-care plan, you’re also helping to support our mission of providing career and job skills training to individuals with disabilities, our nation’s veterans, and others facing barriers to employment. There’s no better way to practice self-care while helping others at the same time!
