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Self-care has become an umbrella term that deviates from the importance of commodities that maintain our health and spirits. Here are 10 ways to invest in yourself to produce meaningful and positive results.
RELATED: 8 Self-Care Tips From Highly Successful Entrepreneurs
1. Add money to your 401(k)
It’s never too early (or too late!) to start saving for your future. There are different retirement savings accounts depending on your employment status. 401(k)s are the most common because they are employer-sponsored and often involve employer matching. However, freelancers also have options to store extra tax-free dollars after retirement, such as SEP-IRAs and high-yield savings accounts.
2. Appointment for medical examination
Self-care includes physical health management first. It’s easy to skimp on regular checkups when you’re feeling healthy, but let this be the year you do blood tests. Create a health baseline to identify areas that need improvement or special attention.
Also, choose areas of your life where you can make small changes. Improving health doesn’t always mean a drastic overhaul. It could be as simple as drinking more water or adding 30 minutes of exercise to your day.
RELATED: 3 Essential Tips for Optimizing Physical Health as an Entrepreneur
3. Review of health insurance benefits
Many people with health insurance don’t know exactly what it covers and what it doesn’t. Get an overview of deductibles, copays, and other supplemental benefits. Next, determine if a health care plan is right for your current lifestyle.
Are you paying for benefits you don’t use or do you need additional benefits that aren’t covered? You can definitely get something.
4. Arouse curiosity
Maintaining healthy cognitive function through new pursuits gives the brain a boost. Be curious and find out what speaks to you. This can be anything from exploring local museums, embarking on various hiking trails, learning a new language, or reading a book.
There are no limits to what you can do. These activities can increase work creativity and motivation. While it can be helpful to look to others for inspiration, you’ll want them to be fun and to occur on a regular basis.
5. Prioritize Mental Health
Mental health has been at the forefront of people’s lives for the past few years as many of us are experiencing burnout. We equate it with the values that lead to illness. Be aware of your daily stressors and see how you can reduce or eliminate them. Then replace it with a relaxing outlet that lets you recharge.
There are many ways to prioritize your mental health, from practicing positive self-talk to meditating to planning a gadget-free day. You may have to try different solutions before finding the right one.
RELATED: 5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health as an Entrepreneur
6. Practice good sleep habits
Consistent sleep is one of the most important, but often overlooked, components of good health. For many people, it can be difficult to relax from the workday. Therefore, you need to get into your nighttime routine and “train” your body to prepare for sleep.
Create a sanctuary for yourself to improve your sleep habits. Enjoy a soothing herbal tea, follow your skin care routine, or snuggle up with a good book instead of scrolling through your phone. and turn on soothing sounds if they help you fall asleep.
7. Try new things
What have you always wanted to do but always hesitated to do? Maybe it’s public speaking or contributing to a blog. Whatever is “new” to your doing, make a plan, schedule it on your calendar, and do it. Fear of the unknown or failure can often hold back these activities, but trying new things can build confidence and be the catalyst you need to move to the next level.
8. Learn to set boundaries
Boundary setting is important for relationships, but it can be hard to master.Don’t just say no to people’s demands. Instead, you should defend your values when people violate them. Setting boundaries can mean spending less time with certain people, removing yourself from toxic situations, or declining invitations to events that don’t improve your life. Explore areas that can help, and keep in mind that growth itself is a work in progress.
RELATED: How to Set Boundaries to Build a Thriving Relationship
9. Spend quality time alone
Learning how to enjoy spending time alone is a priceless gift. We are bombarded with a false sense of connection over the internet and often feel more alone than ever. Then overschedule your calendar to make up for connecting with people, only to feel tired later. Slow down and plan a few solo dates a month to really be with yourself See how things feel.
For those who aren’t used to spending quality time alone, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, but these stem from your own perceptions. Read on and enjoy the concerts and events you wanted to attend. Alone time has been associated with better stress management and greater life satisfaction, so it’s worth trying to increase your time to yourself.
RELATED: People who prefer to be alone turn out to be more creative
10. Get Active
There are several directions to being active. Be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. The point is to engage with the people and pursuits that feed your soul. Whether it’s volunteering within your community, setting exercise goals, or learning about self-improvement, how to be proactive and invest in yourself this year. are infinite.
