Self-care is crucial for us overthinkers.
To me, it means having specific habits and lifestyle changes incorporated into your routine, that allow you to appease and take care of yourself after dealing with the craziness of everyday life.
Given that there are so many things and events outside of your control, maintaining self-care habits gives you the time and space to prioritize yourself and your needs, allowing you to feel more at peace.
Here are 9 self-care ideas any overthinker will greatly benefit from.
Move your body
Start prioritizing movement (of any form) every day!
Being active regularly can do wonders for your mental health. It helps reduce stress, boost your mood and improve your physical health in general. And before you start overthinking about what the best way to stay active is, let me remind you that it doesn’t need to be anything overly complicated!
The key here is consistency, not intensity. A brisk walk in your neighbourhood, some stretching in the morning or a fun activity like a dance class can all do the trick.
In my case, I usually exercise for 30 minutes in the morning 3 times a week. On the days when I don’t, I like to take a short walk around my neighbourhood.
I became consistent with exercising about 2 years ago and I wish I had started earlier because it has helped me so so much! Even though sometimes it takes monumental strength for me to leave the cozy space in my bed, after moving, I feel much more energized, less anxious and more excited about the day.
Practice mindfulness
I recently got into this and honestly, I am still figuring it out.
But what I love about practicing mindfulness is it forces me to put my mind on pause, sit still and be present. For instance, throughout the day, I also like to take a few minutes to sit quietly and use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to bring myself back to the present when my mind decides to run off somewhere.
It definitely requires some practice but there are plenty of apps that give you lots of interesting tools and guided mindfulness practices that you can follow as well.
Read self-help books
Self-help books contain a wealth of knowledge on so many personal development topics like how to battle anxiety, become more confident or become more productive in your day-to-day life.
Some personal favourites of mine are the 5-Second Rule by Mel Robbins and You Are A Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Live An Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. Both books share tips and stories to inspire you to get out of your own way and create an awesome life for yourself.
Be creative
Being creative is a great way to repurpose the overactive mind of an overthinker. Since our minds are always running a thousand miles an hour with all sorts of thoughts, they might as well be fun and interesting thoughts instead of negative ones right?
I like to write fictional stories and occasionally some short poems. For others, playing an instrument, painting or drawing might be more their thing. I also really enjoy colouring because it is such an effective tool to improve my focus and reduce anxiety. I am most definitely not an artist so I like to just use adult colouring books.
Whatever activity you choose, make some time to be creative each week. It’s a great way to channel your overthinking and it can be very gratifying as well!
Journal
I will never stop singing the praises of journaling!!
Journaling helps you get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper where you can then better analyze them. It is one of the best self-care practices an overthinker can do to calm their mind and it’s an incredible tool for self-reflection, self-discovery and relaxation.
Spend time with loved ones
Make sure to prioritize spending time with friends and family. We, humans, are social creatures and we are meant to spend time and connect with each other.
Scheduling an outing with some friends or even an indoor activity like playing some board games with family will help get you out of your head and make you feel more relaxed and present.
Step away from social media
This is easier said than done especially since some people make their living from social media but……
YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TIME AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA!
Of course, we all know social media is a great tool for learning or spreading awareness of different issues. Buuuut it can get pretty dark sometimes and that can take a toll on one’s mental health. That’s why it is very important to set some time every week to get off social media and get back to the present world around you.
By blocking out all the extra “noise” that comes from social media, you will feel more present, less distracted and more productive in your daily life.
Take a nap
Naps are so underrated !!
I used to feel bad about taking naps whenever I could (after school, in between classes etc) because I thought I was wasting time and needed to tend to more important things.
But now, I don’t play with my naps! Napping is sooo important for me because of how much it improves my concentration and energy levels during the day. I’ve discovered that a 30-minute nap works best for me but it might be different for you.
Treat yourself
Treat yourselves people!
The most important relationship you have is the one you have with yourself. So why not show yourself some love with a present or a nice treat every once in a while?
Every weekend I like to recreate a spa experience for myself from the comfort of my home. I put on a face mask, sip on some tea and just chill. It’s one of my favourite ways to unwind and set some “me time” every week and it also gives me something to look forward to! I also like to send myself gifts on my birthday and Christmas.
Basically: prioritizing self-care is a good way to practice self-love and be your #1 supporter every single day. Do it and your mind will thank you!!
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