The year is coming to a close, and that means it’s time to start focusing on your self-care going into the new year and new decade.

Following a routine is tough for many people, and sticking to it is just as difficult as any other New Years’ resolution you try to stick to. With that being said, here are my best tips for improving your self-care regime this upcoming year to ensure you focus enough on yourself in 2020.

Take care of your body

What many people forget is that physical and mental stability go hand in hand, and losing a sense of self can influence your body’s health and can lead to other problems. Especially for those who live a sedimentary lifestyle, there are many ways to break out of your shell and help your body’s health.

Start with improving your diet and exercising regularly. Whether you cook your own meals or not, introducing healthy fruits and vegetables into your rotation can not only help your internal organs but can provide good nutrients to your brain and have you feeling great.

Following recipes and having fun with cooking is a great way to spend your day and introduce a new hobby that can give you joy. Working out a few days per week is also a great way to take care of your body. Being active releases endorphins that can have you feeling and looking great.

Seeking friends to go to the gym with is also a good idea and can make for a more motivating experience. Find a workout routine that works for you and make it a habit to go regularly.

Taking care of your look can also improve your self-esteem and overall feeling towards yourself. Start with taking care of your skin by washing your face regularly, morning and at night, followed by applying a moisturizing lotion.

If you have facial hair, keep it nice and groomed by using proper shaving products, and if you fancy makeup, make sure to apply only the safest brands that won’t harm your skin, in order to further embrace your beauty.

Open yourself up socially

Breaking out of your shell from a social perspective can be tough, and although it can be easy to take time for yourself, it should be in your best interest to extend yourself and step into the social sphere. Maintaining your relationships with friends and family can get tough as life gets busier. Especially around the holidays and New Year, time can move quickly and it can be hard to get together with all of your favorite people.

However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your best to try and spend time to build relationships with the people close to you. Seek out easy options like going out to dinner, getting a coffee, or starting a book club. Creating a routine on your schedule is perfect for planning your weeks out and making sure you’re getting enough human interaction to keep you mentally stable.

Figure out your needs

A big problem for many people trying to perfect their self-care routine is figuring out their own needs and where they need to improve. Many people, especially during the holidays find themselves taking care of other people, making it difficult to figure out what you really need.

Many find they need more interaction and brain stimulation. If you find yourself in need of something like this, start seeking out activities that can get your mind going and keep you sharp. Whether that be doing a puzzle or writing daily in a journal, these are great ways to keep your brain churning and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Work on your mental well-being

Everything stems from your mental well-being and the goal of building your routine should be to constantly improve that. It can be hard to reflect and sometimes can be easy to get lost inside of your head, but that makes it even more important to tell yourself that you are good enough. Sometimes taking time to validate your existence and self-worth is a great way to get your brain stimulating in the right way.

Focusing on what makes you great and valuable can help you practice healthier inner dialogue. Talk positively about yourself and practice self-compassion to show that you are good enough for yourself and others.

Allow yourself to feel things

Fostering your emotions is essential and doing things that make you feel raw happiness is the key to the perfect self-care regime. Take time to consider what makes you happiest.

Whether it’s reading a book or playing video games, find time each day to fulfill these activities. It can be easy to get lost in a day, but finding what truly makes you happy can help you improve yourself and each day one at a time.

No matter what you have in mind for the new year, be sure to put a focus on yourself and stick to any challenge you put your mind to. It’s a new decade so it’s time to work on a new you!

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