There are few things more calming than a rainy afternoon
with gentle rolls of thunder and an empty schedule.
In light of our article on 13 Reason’s Why, it’s important to know that self-care is a fundamental part of your health. As a nurse, I know that too many of my patients forget to take care of themselves mentally! Friends, it’s so important to give yourself grace both in your actions and in your time. I know that I often tell myself I have to be busy or else I’m not doing enough, but the great thing is that our value is not based on what we accomplish in the world. We are all worthy of love and respect. The first step is to love yourself. Honor your physical and emotional exhaustion recognizing that your body is telling you to rest. So today, here are a few ways to take care of your mental (and physical) health! Look here at one of the contributor posts about why self-care is so important for your health and for tips on how to go about figuring out what self-care methods work for you. Here are a few things I like to do that I hope are ideas for you all as well!
Eat Well. Drink Water.
I love to cook! When I was in nursing school, I would come home after my 7 hour days and cook for two hours before I even started homework. I would sauté vegetables, roast meats, bake bread, and always make a delicious dessert. Some of my favorites were chicken empanadas and Thai red curry. The therapeutic stirring and then eating (PRAISE) put me in a great mood for whatever I did that evening. I always tried to make meals that were heavily vegetable based. Vegetables give us the vitamins and nutrients we need to keep our body functioning well. Vitamin B, found in spinach, avocados, and bananas, can actually boost our energy!
I know cooking isn’t for everyone, so if you don’t like to cook or to bake, it’s always great to go out to Chipotle and grab yourself a good burrito bowl full of vegetables and protein! We need to provide good nutrition for our body, and keep in mind we also need foods like chocolate in our diets, so don’t be afraid to stop by Ben and Jerry’s on the way home for some Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream!
Learn to Do Something New
The internet is a magical place. YouTube and Pinterest are full of DIY projects and crafts that make me want to become a designer. Spend the rainy afternoon looking up a DIY project on YouTube or Pinterest and learn a new skill! Check out some of three of our favorites below:
Learn Make Up with Mackenzie Ziegler
Also, check out this article by our Intern Chloe on how to start learning how to draw!
Avoid Technology
Put that phone down for a bit. We love our phones just as much as you do, but let’s be honest. We all need a break from the constant notifications. Turn it off, and stick it in a drawer. Hide it. Hang up and Hang Out. Do something else with your afternoon other than sit and look at the screen. Your eyes will thank you later.
Write or Read a Book
Okay, you don’t actually have to write a whole book. Journaling is just as fun! Pick or choose to write out your thoughts and reflections, or get creative and create another world! You could also pick up a new book and dive into another world. How long has it been since you’ve read Harry Potter? The Hunger Games? What about The Fault in Our Stars? If you want to up your classics game, why not try reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. Both can be difficult reads, but you’ve got a lot of time on a rainy afternoon.
Nap the Afternoon Away
Whoever said naps are only for preschoolers is lying. Naps to the sound of Ed Sheeran singing “Perfect” with the rain in the background is super therapeutic. You work hard every day to function as a human being emotionally, and your body works hard to keep you functioning physically. Give it a rest and let your system reset. Your body will love you! Turn on some fairy lights and let the atmosphere help you forget about the world for awhile.
Take some time on a rainy afternoon and light some candles, cuddle down into your bed, and give yourself the rest and recharge you deserve. Allow yourself time to just pause and focus on your heart and mind. Rainy days are a gift! Enjoy them.
Comment below and let us know which self-care tip you tried today!
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy reading:
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- College Shopping: What You Actually Need
- Real Teens Talk: 13 Reasons Why
- Ambassador Guest Post: Mindfulness and Anxiety – Ways to Cope
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Featured Picture: Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash
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