6 self-care tips to kickstart your week

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Picture this: you're lying in bed, sleeping like a log, when all of the sudden your alarm clock starts blaring. You hop out of bed, make a quick cup of coffee, and get ready for the upcoming day. After working and/or studying hard for hours, you finally arrive home, eat dinner, and cross a couple items off your to-do list. Then it's back to bed. So you can do it all over again. The remainder of the week is rough, you're running low on sleep, and cannot wait for Friday.

Sounds a bit tiring, right?

Daily routines should boost your efficiency, but that doesn't mean your routine has to be boring! Carving out relaxation time each day can actually help you decrease your stress levels, stay motivated throughout the week, and avoid burnout as well.

If you've ever taken small breaks while completing a draining task — or if you've taken quick study breaks while preparing for a big exam — you're probably familiar with the concept of burnout. Once you've exhausted all your energy for the day, there's basically no bouncing back.

This is exactly why self-care is so important. We all deserve a little TLC, so don't hesitate to reward yourself every once in a while! Whether it's making time to get outside, or stay in and take a breather, you can recharge in a variety of ways:

1. Soak up the sun

Going for a jog, walking around the block, or even just sitting outside sipping on an iced tea can be a good way to relax. Fresh air and vitamin D are good for not only your physical health, but mental health as well! Studies show that vitamin D deficiency can result in fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms — so make sure you're getting enough natural light!

If your routine doesn't allow you to get outdoors often enough, try taking vitamin D supplements in the morning. But be sure to have some avocado toast for breakfast... vitamin D is absorbed by fats!

2. Refresh

Honestly, sometimes all we need is a little pampering. (And I'm talking to everyone, not just the ladies!)

Try introducing a skincare routine into your day! Use lotion or moisturizer, an exfoliating face scrub, or try a deep conditioning hair mask. Whether you splurge on quality products or opt for trusted drugstore duplicates instead, invest in your bodily wellness! [And stay tuned for an upcoming post about my fav drugstore products]

3. Unplug

Between scrolling through my Instagram feed, checking Twitter, sending snapchats, doing schoolwork online, and updating my blog, it seems like I'm always on a computer or cell phone. I'm always connected. My phone has become addictive.

In this digital age we live in, everyone gets a little more screen time than we'd like to admit. Take a break from the social-media-whirlwind, and give yourself some breathing room! Keeping up with your social circle can be exhausting... not to mention breaking news. Being a text, or email away from people 24/7 is practically like being on-call. We all need to disconnect from time to time.

Here's one thing I do to limit my screen time: I only check my phone periodically (when I wake up, when I have a lunch break, when I get home, and when I go to bed). My phone stays on DND — Do Not Disturb mode — so that it's not buzzing constantly. Otherwise I'll be tempted to check my notifications and procrastinate any tasks I should be accomplishing.

4. Treat yo'self

Set aside some time for enjoyment... even if it's only fifteen minutes. Read a captivating book, watch a funny show, have a snack, meet up with a friend... hard work warrants a well-earned reward.

Personally, I love relaxing at home, sipping on a caffeine-free raspberry mocha, and making Spotify playlists. This allows me to discover new music while I de-stress!

5. The C-Word

Cleaning isn't exactly a fun task, but it will definitely help clear your head. Taking a few moments to declutter is essential to stress management. A messy room can subconsciously stress you out, so get in your zone & tidy up! Although it's a mundane task, organizing your space can be helpful. Not only will you find yourself clearheaded; you'll also find those missing headphones!

6. Siesta

It's perfectly OK to lie down & recharge, especially if you haven't been getting your 8 hours lately! In fact, sleep is often the best answer to unresolved stress. Drinking a cup of coffee in the late-afternoon will undoubtedly keep me awake for hours... but it won't boost my productivity levels. I find that I'm way more relaxed and energized if I've had my daily cat-nap.

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Self-love is nothing without self-care! As we enter a new, exciting (and potentially stressful) season of our lives, it's crucial to create lasting habits that promote wellness. Hopefully this list inspires you to shake up your routine a lil bit!

What forms of self-care do you practice? Comment below + share your suggestions!

until next time,

- CAR ♥

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