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We know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind and neglect self care. United Breast Cancer Foundation is here to help encourage some well needed rest and relaxation!
First off, what is self-care? It can be described as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own health, well-being and happiness. This requires you to be conscious of finding ways to improve your lifestyle. It may seem daunting at first, but engaging in self-care behaviors is easier than you may think!
Tip #1: Skincare
With summer almost upon us, it is important to take good care of your skin. For men, good skin care involves more than just a bar of soap and a disposable razor.
Take the time this season to stock up on a few products like sunscreen, moisturizer, face wash, and anything else you might need. It will make a huge difference. On the plus side, taking the time to care for your skin in the morning and evening can give you a quiet moment during the day just for you. Make an effort to steer clear of the carcinogens in some sunscreens such as oxybenzone and benzophenone. Also, parabens in face washes – always read the label! Need help deciding what to buy? Consider purchasing from AmazonSmile. When you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon donates to UBCF – awesome!
Tip #2: Get enough sleep!
Getting between 7-9 hours of sleep each night can make a world of a difference. You will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to conquer your day – whatever is on your calendar. To achieve this, try engaging in a concept called “sleep hygiene”. Create a bedtime routine that encourages a good night’s sleep. Set a consistent sleep pattern and avoid going to bed late on weekends. Turn off electronics two hours before bed – yes, that includes late night scrolling on social media. Blue light from your phone and laptop can hurt your eyes and keep you awake later than intended. We also suggest lowering the temperature of your room, upgrading your sheets to cotton or linen, and drinking warm, non caffeinated beverages.
Tip #3: Start a journal
While most of us do our writing on phones or computers, we make a different connection when we write on paper. That’s why we recommend getting physical notebooks or journals. It can be therapeutic to write your thoughts out without fear of judgment – have a “brain dump”. Once thoughts leave your head, you will feel much lighter at the end of the day.
Tip #4: Engage in a hobby
Outside of work, it is important to channel your energies into a low stress, high reward activity. Whether it’s joining a sports team, activist group, or starting an arts and crafts project, having a hobby is a wonderful outlet. You can spend time with people who share similar interests and values. Because of this benefit, hobbies are both good for creativity, and for the soul.
Tip #5: Take a bath!
We know what you’re thinking: baths are a cliche self-care move, but there is truth behind the stereotype. They have been proven to relax the body and can also aid in joint and muscle recovery. No need to add rose petals if you’re not into that, but you can always drop in some essential oils for added aromatherapy benefits. Lavender is great for stress relief! Even if you don’t have time for a bath (or don’t have access to a bathtub), a few drops of essential oil in the shower can have similar, stress-reducing effects.
Tip #6: Please, please get regular check ups
We cannot stress this enough. The best form of self care is health advocacy! Take control of your health by going to the doctor, getting breast exams, and ask yourself the tough questions. By tough questions, we mean, “Am I eating the right diet for my lifestyle?”, “What is this lump about?”, or “Should I get my cholesterol levels checked out soon?”.
Self-care is essential to leading a healthy and fulfilling life. So take some time to think about yourself. What do YOU need most to feel good? Use these tips and suggestions at your discretion, and remember, they’re not one-size-fits-all solutions. We just want you to feel your best!
To learn more about UBCF, visit ubcf.org
