In today’s ever-busy world, we often forget to prioritize self-care. That said, most people don’t know what to do past spending a day at the spa. Here are ten things to include in your self care lesson plans.
1. Clean Your Ears
Most people forget to include ear hygiene in their self care lesson plans until a problem develops, but that’s not always a negative. Your ears have a self-cleaning mechanism, so most of the time, not washing them shields you from the risks of over-cleaning, which often necessitates the attention of an ear doctor. Still, maintaining basic hygiene is crucial. This entails keeping things like water, dirt, and dust out of the ear and clearing away any excess wax.
There are various ways you can approach cleaning your ears. If your issue isn’t significant, but you believe there’s excessive accumulation of earwax, you can use a washcloth to gently wipe the outside of your ears. Another option you can try is adding a few drops of glycerin, mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or baby oil in your ear and hope the wax softens.
You can also find an over-the-counter wax removal kit. Avoid using ear candles as they’re not effective. Your better off with the good old cotton swabs.
2. Repair Your Utilities
While repairing utilities may not seem like something that should be part of your self care lesson plans, it makes for a great addition. Remember, self-care is all about you, and your home’s utilities ensure you can live in your home comfortably. One utility you should especially pay close attention to is your HVAC system.
When you encounter issues with your unit, you lose control of the indoor temperature. If that happens during the sweltering summer heat or the cold winter months, you’ll soon realize how important it is for your home. That’s why you must be diligent about maintenance and ensure timely repairs when needed.
Promptly addressing air conditioning issues will help extend your system’s lifespan. Unresolved issues tend to worsen over time and cause more substantial damage. Contacting HVAC services when you need repairs is key to preventing further deterioration and ensuring it functions as efficiently as possible. You’ll protect your investment and save yourself from having to replace your system too soon.
Timely repairs ensure your home has a constant, comfortable, and consistent temperature. Some repair needs you should especially pay attention to are airflow restrictions, refrigerant leaks, or faulty thermostats. Addressing these will eliminate issues such as cold and hot spots.
You’ll enjoy a pleasant living indoor environment where you have complete control of the temperature.
Knowing that your air conditioning system is functioning optimally thanks to maintenance and timely repairs will give you much-needed peace of mind. Your system will be prepared to face the demands of summer, giving you that cool breeze when needed. You won’t have to keep anticipating random breakdowns
3. Get Your Checkups
When most people think of self care lesson plans, they picture including a day at the spa or doing something that involves some form of relaxation. While that’s definitely important, don’t forget about your checkups. Your health extends beyond being free from illness.
Through routine medical checkups, you can monitor your physical, emotional, and mental health and access crucial information that’ll allow you to take the appropriate action and make well-informed decisions for your well-being. Checkups allow your doctors to detect illness symptoms you may not even be aware of. This is key to identifying potentially serious or life-threatening conditions and preventing the associated risks before it’s too late or things worsen.
Some diseases are hard to detect without the help of a medical professional because the physical symptoms manifest way after the damage is already done. Early detection increases your chances of finding the right treatment, translating to higher chances of recovery.
Another underrated benefit of diligently getting your checkups at the hospital is developing a better relationship with your doctor. After the first few visits, you’ll find it easier to speak openly with your doctor about any worries you may have. The more of a collaborative relationship you share with your doctor, the easier it’ll be to keep track of your health.
4. Zenify Your Home
Most people find that their yard serves as a haven where they can retreat from the outer world and unwind after a long day of work. This idea might be developed to create a special area for silent reflection and relaxation. Japanese Buddhist monks created the first zen gardens for meditation. With the help of professional landscapers, you can incorporate the elements of Zen design into your landscape.
A zen garden without a cozy seating area isn’t complete. You can sit there while reading a nice book, sipping your favorite beverage, or enjoying the stunning scenery. Choose furniture with plenty of cushioning.
You also want something that’ll complement nature’s beauty, like using wooden pieces. Consider calming hues like wood, aqua, green, and white. Remember to take extra care of the cushions you place on outdoor furniture since they’re heavily exposed to the elements.
Introducing a sensory area in your garden will give you a place where you can go to relieve the day’s stresses. Incorporate various sounds into your garden experience to make it soothing. For instance, people can relax by listening to the sound of the grass in the breeze. Grow a variety of plants to enhance the gentle sound of leaf rustling.
You can also enhance your landscape by adding water elements like waterfalls, tiny ponds, or fountains. The sound of running water has an instant calming effect, and there’s a kind of water feature to fit every yard. However, note these might have high maintenance needs but can benefit your mental health. They can also benefit the garden because they make the air more humid, which helps your plants and lets them take part in the relaxation.
5. Repaint for Vibes
If you’re considering painting your home’s walls a different color, you might want to consider how you’re feeling first. This is so because colors and how they impact our mood have much to do with psychology. Scientists have been studying this phenomenon for a few centuries. For instance, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe published a book titled Theory of Colours in 1810 that discussed how humans see various hues and connected them to other emotional categories. (For instance, red and yellow represented feelings of warmth and exhilaration.)
Red is a powerful color that stimulates the adrenal glands, energizing you. It also stirs up feelings of excitement. When used in social settings, it encourages conversation among individuals.
Reds look amazing in areas like the foyer; entertainment spaces like dens, completed basements, and great rooms; dining areas; and kitchens to add flair. This color isn’t recommended for bedrooms or other spaces where rest and relaxation are priorities since it increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Yellow, like sunshine, makes people happy. Soft yellow hues may add positive energy and brightness to a space. Avoid brighter yellows as they may portray unfavorable feelings like rage or frustration. Yellow is ideal for dining areas, bathrooms, and kitchens.
The color blue is associated with tranquility. Imagine yourself admiring the blue sky or being beside a lake or ocean. Don’t you feel more at ease simply thinking about it? Blue is known to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate and breathing. However, be careful since the deeper blues might lead to depression and melancholy.
While painting can make for a great DIY project, hire experienced local painters for the best results. These professionals have all the tools and equipment to execute an excellent paint job. They’ll also ensure you use only quality paints. Seeing how color greatly impacts your space, add repainting to your self care lesson plans.
6. Clean Water
You’re probably wondering how water will fit into your self care lesson plans. Truth is, one of the most important aspects of proper self-care is drinking water. Water is an important aspect of taking care of your brain, body, and overall health.
Your mental energy and hydration levels are linked. Every cell in your body needs water, and brain cells are no different. For the brain to operate at its best, water facilitates the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to the brain to ensure optimal functioning.
Even mild dehydration significantly affects your mental energy levels. One may experience lower cognitive performance or memory function. Drinking clean water can also benefit your skin.
The skin, one of the body’s largest organs, consists of cells. Like other organs, it won’t function at its best without a sufficient water supply. Dehydrated skin is usually flaky, tight, and dry. Maintaining sufficient hydration levels will lessen the signs of aging, giving you a younger look.
To ensure you always have access to clean water, consider scheduling a pump install with local contractors. Pumps push water into a reserve tank, which then supplies water to the rest of the home. This can also add some value to your home.
7. See Your Doctors
You should always make an effort to see your doctors. In this case, we’ll specifically focus on the teeth and how seeing the best orthodontist can make a great addition to your self care lesson plans.
Few Americans are lucky to have flawless teeth at birth. In fact, it’s estimated that one in three individuals aren’t satisfied with their grins. Unfortunately, your self-esteem and how others see you are impacted by your dental aesthetics. This is one of the reasons why receiving braces or Invisalign treatment can improve your quality of life.
If you’re primarily seeking a boost in confidence and self-esteem, your best bet is clear aligners such as Invisalign. These are discreet, which means you can still smile in public or when posing for photos without worrying about how your teeth look. You’ll feel better about yourself once the aligners do their job and you finally have straight teeth.
Orthodontics can also benefit your dental health. There are more difficult-to-reach regions when you have crowded or crooked teeth, facilitating the growth of germs. Cavities caused by this bacterium can be damaging to the teeth and gums. This issue can be resolved with clear aligners or braces, resulting in improved dental health and a brand-new smile.
8. Hire Out Chores
How often do you wish there were more hours in the day? Most of your hours of the day go into your work. You see other people doing their chores, and you can’t help but wonder when you’ll get to do the same. Life today is hectic.
You’ll have days when you hardly have time to care for yourself. You’ll need a break at some point. Although manicures and massages are lovely, occasionally hiring someone to clean your home is a great way to treat yourself. You’ll have more time for yourself, which is an underrated luxury.
Unless you truly find housecleaning relaxing after a long, busy day, consider hiring a professional home cleaner should be part of your self care lesson plans. Dirty bathrooms and kitchens serve as breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. They attract unwelcome pests like cockroaches that carry diseases.
Undoubtedly, dust causes allergies. Avoiding the natural dirt that accumulates throughout today’s larger homes is more challenging than ever. A skilled housekeeper can clear away the filth and keep the home balanced and healthy.
9. Aesthetic Upkeep
Your teeth and jaw are two major features affecting your appearance. Depending on the positioning of your jaw and teeth, you could have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other orthodontic complication. Besides impacting your appearance, these can also cause chewing and speech issues.
Whatever the nature of your particular issue, a dentist in your area can probably use Invisalign to align your bite. For instance, if your front teeth protrude, it may cause your lips to move forwards. Your lip can rest more comfortably when you use Invisalign to move your front teeth into the right position. Seeing your doctor for regular cleanings can also be beneficial.
10. Life Insurance
Purchasing life insurance is a great addition to your self care lesson plans. It’ll shield your spouse and kids from the potentially catastrophic financial losses that could arise in your passing. It offers financial stability, aids in debt repayment, assists in covering living expenditures, and covers medical or final expenses.
Don’t let life get the best of you. Take steps to ensure your taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Use this read as a guide for what to add to your self care lesson plans.