Niketa Vakani is a Self-Love and Relationship coach helping individuals find a deeper love and acceptance of themselves, resulting in an improvement of their relationships and other areas of their lives. She has been a guest speaker on the podcasts The Unfiltered Podcast: For some reason, I had to have MS and Sunday SoulDay.
Do you find yourself often putting the needs of others over your own? Are you a parent, a boss, or a carer of a loved one? Are you experiencing Hamster Wheel Syndrome, where you feel incredibly busy, cannot slow down, and are not getting very far? There are simple things you can incorporate into your daily life to take care of your own needs too. After all, how can one pour from an empty cup?
What is self-care?
Many people interpret self-care as looking after your physical health and hygiene. Perhaps you think of it as having a warm soak in a bubbly bath after a hard day’s work, or taking yourself for a new haircut. These are, of course, necessary acts of self-care, but there are also other ways that you can care for yourself by meeting your physical, mental, and emotional health needs in order to live a happy and fulfilling life and still have the energy and will to care for others too! Even a few acts of daily self-care can hugely impact your general well-being and create a long-term impact in your life and on those around you.
8 manageable ways to practice daily self-care
1. Exercise
Try to find a type of enjoyable physical activity to do a few times a week. This could be in the form of dancing, yoga, or even kickboxing! Choose whatever feels great and gets you moving without feeling like a huge effort! Moving can be fun, so go for something you enjoy doing or grab a coffee and find a friend to catch up with over a long walk! Exercise releases the brain chemical endorphins, which can boost your mood and reduce pain. Exercise can also improve cardiovascular, digestive, and immune health.
2. Sleep
Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Judge the right amount for you that makes you feel rejuvenated when you wake up. You may want to set a bedtime routine to help you wind down, perhaps saying no to screen time for the last hour and instead getting into a good book! Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. The way you feel while you are awake depends in part on what happens while you are sleeping. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health, so please don’t underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep!
3. Let your feelings out
It is not great going to bed with a myriad of thoughts racing through your head! How about writing them down in a journal you keep beside your bed? Even if you are worried about something, ask yourself, "What can I do about this situation?" See what comes first to mind and let the pen take over. I find this a powerful technique, as often our answers come to us through our higher intelligence. Moreover, you can feel a lot better and sleep more peacefully when you have transferred your thoughts elsewhere.
4. Learn to say no
I get how hard this can be! You may feel immense joy from helping others, but if you are tired and depleted, how are you able to serve others? Remember, charity begins at home; therefore, it is vital that your reserves are full before you commit to anything or anyone else. Avoid feeling guilty if you cannot give your time or energy to a situation, even if this means cancelling last minute. People can and will understand, and if they don't, then maybe it's time to start evaluating your relationships.
5. Healthy mindset
Maintaining a positive mindset is also a form of self-care. This requires feeding your thoughts with words of positivity and kindness throughout the day! Imagine you can do this anytime and anywhere. I actually set a repeated hourly alarm to say affirmations such as:
"I am worthy!"
"I love and approve of myself!"
"I am doing my best in this moment!"
You can start simple, then build up a bank of "I AMs..." Doing this regularly can help you to fact-check your self-critical thoughts and redirect them into positive ones!
6. Stay connected with others
Schedule meetups with loved ones. Studies show that having meaningful relationships can actually enhance your life and lead to longevity. People with close friends are less likely to die from natural causes, including heart disease and chronic diseases. Having loving relationships can improve your mental health in many ways, including your emotional well-being. Friends and family can help you feel less alone, more connected, and more purposeful. They can also help you cope with difficult times. Friends can help you feel more confident and increase your self-worth. People with friends are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to experience depression too.
7. Laugh more
It is true. Laughter is actually the best medicine! It draws people together in ways that activate healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, uplifts your mood, alleviates pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more reliably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh! Laughter allows you to temporarily switch off from your worries and connect with other people. It can also help you release your anger and forgive sooner.
As children, we used to laugh throughout the day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter becomes less frequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for humour and laughter, you can improve your overall health, find greater happiness, and even add years to your life! With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous self-care practice for improving your mental health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use!
So as part of your self-care, allow yourself the time to watch a funny comedy and spend time with fun, playful people!
8. Have your favourite meal
Treating yourself to an indulgent meal as a special treat can make you feel special. It acts as a positive self-reward, boosting your mood and providing a moment of pleasure. It also helps you feel cared for, which can be beneficial for your overall wellbeing, especially when done in moderation. Essentially, it is a way to acknowledge your hard work and enjoy a treat that brings you happiness.
Taking time to savour a delicious meal can be a relaxing experience, helping to alleviate stress and tension. You can focus on fully enjoying the flavours and textures of your meal, rather than just eating quickly. It is a way to show yourself appreciation and prioritize your enjoyment, which is an important aspect of self-care.
Remember that self-care is taking a break, not just when things become overwhelming. It is giving yourself permission to say no to things that you do not want to do, allowing yourself to cry, asking for help from those around you, and doing things that make you happy!
If you would like some further support in adopting healthy and manageable self-care practices into your life, please do contact me and we can talk further about some of the practices we can incorporate to create a healthier and happier version of you!
Niketa Vakani, Self-Love and Relationship Coach
Niketa is a dedicated Self-Love and Relationship Coach, inspiring countless individuals with her story of resilience and personal transformation. Faced with immense challenges, including an abusive marriage and severe health issues leading to paralysis, Niketa has triumphed over adversity through unwavering faith and determination.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she fought her way back to health, relearning to walk and reclaiming her life. A Jay Shetty certified coach, Niketa now uses her experiences to empower others, helping them build self-love, strength, resilience, and confidence. Her life motto, "Face your challenges, dance with life," encapsulates her approach to overcoming obstacles and finding joy amidst adversity.
