The struggle to recognize and find a healthy work-life balance has been brought to the forefront for many people the past few months, directly tying back to the blurred lines between work and home. What we might forget, however, is that self-care is about much more than juggling our time and responsibilities. It’s also about being kinder, more patient and more compassionate with yourself, especially during trying times.

At its core, self-care means that you are giving yourself the attention, sensitivity, time and energy that you deserve, and often need, in order to stay balanced and in a healthy headspace. While it may be easy to overlook during difficult times, it’s more important than ever to incorporate a little self-care into your daily routine. If you’re wondering where to start in this journey to finding a healthy work-life balance, consider the following tips to prioritizing self-care:

1. Take a step back

While it may be fun to keep up with old friends and make new ones via social media, an overuse of social platforms can actually be detrimental to your mental wellbeing. The constant comparison of your life to others’ can cause you to feel anxious or like you need to be doing something you aren’t. If you start to feel yourself becoming overwhelmed or questioning yourself as a result of too much social media time, consider taking a step back and unplugging from the platforms for a few days. In addition, too much screen time can have seriously detrimental affects on your focus and mental wellbeing. Instead, use this time to focus on what goals and priorities are true to you rather than being influenced by what matters to others.

2. Move a little more

It can be easy when you’re feeling overwhelmed to just sit back and soak it all in. And while sometimes, that’s just what you need, other times a little movement can do more good than harm! Exercise has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and depression, whether it’s in the form of yoga, aerobic exercise, running or heading out for a slow walk. Taking a little time for yourself to move every day will help you not only clear the mental fog, but will also improve sleep quality, reduce stress and help your body strengthen and stretch. 

3. Dress the part

The saying “look good, feel good” didn’t appear out of nowhere, there’s a lot of truth behind looking your best in order to feel your best. While some people believe you need to make big, life-altering changes to look your best, that isn’t always the case. Smaller changes to the way you dress can make a big difference! Take shapewear, for example. Adding a layer of comfortable shapewear beneath any outfit will make it fit smoother and flatter your shape, making you look better in your clothes than ever before. When you feel better about how you look, your self-image will improve as well! 

4. Rest and recharge

When you’re feeling run-down or overwhelmed, one of the most important things to take a critical look at is your sleep. If you aren’t getting enough or quality sleep every night, your energy, mood, and mental and molecular function will all be negatively affected. Because of this, sleeping for at least 8 hours a night and making sure it’s quality sleep can greatly improve your mental stability. If you’re not sure whether your sleep quality is up to par, consider investing in an intuitive sleep tracker to monitor your sleep habits! Once you have the knowledge of how you’re sleeping at night, you can alter your habits to ensure you get the best sleep possible when you lay down at night.

No matter where you start, making one step into practicing self-care is great progress! The best way to start is by practicing a positive outlook on life and to treat yourself with a little gentleness.