selfcare

SELFCARE ON A BUDGET

SELFCARE ON A BUDGET

The term selfcare was coined in the 1950s by civil rights activist, The Black Panther Party. It means taking care of oneself in a healthy and holistic way through wholesome behaviours. This can also  mean looking out for your self mentally, physically, socially and spiritually.

We engage in selfcare everyday through eating, exercising and sleeping. We should always put ourselves first. This can be through our day to day actions. Some times we cannot afford to give ourselves the finer things in life that we deserve. Here are tips that cost less

1. Diet

There are different ways to improve your diet. One is by hydrating. This does not mean plain water only, anything containing water is considered a form of hydration except from alcohol and undiluted sugary drinks. Learning how to drink the right amount of water according to your age, weight and frequency of physical activity can lead to increased health and wellbeing.

The right type of foods can be beneficial to your body. Because your gut is related to your brain, some foods can cause adverse effects to your mental health. Some fruits and fermented foods and drinks are favourable to your health. Affordable and readily made beneficial foods in this economy especially to a comrade are bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangos, yogurt and freshly squeezed juices.

2. Exercise

The most affordable and best forms of exercise are walking and running. They are best done in the morning when the sun is rising. You get to lose some weight  and keep fit while still receiving nutrition- Vitamin D from the sun. If you need other forms of exercise and cannot afford gym membership, there are a lot of free apps to download and youtube videos you can watch. Apps such as Fitbot.

There are different types of exercises for different people. Yoga is mainly  for people aiming to strengthen their bodies, be more flexible and relax and strengthen their minds. Pilates is for those who desire to stabilize and strengthen their core while still maintaining flexibility. These are examples of exercise you can do at home. There are four forms of exercise that you can choose from or do all. Balance exercise to help prevent falls and increase stability. Endurance exercise to improve health of the heart, lungs and circulatory system. Flexibility exercise to make everyday activities easier and improve stretchability. Strength exercise to help one become independent and prevent fall related exercises.

3. Sleep

This is the most overlooked part of self care. The hours you sleep every day can determine your brain activity and wellbeing. The amount of sleep you need depends on your age e.g adults ( 18 – 60 years) need 7 hrs or more of sleep. You can sleep better sleep by being consistent in your sleep schedule. Going to sleep at night and waking up during the day at the same time every day can improve your sleep health.

Being physically active during the day can also help one sleep better. Making sure your room is dark, quite, relaxing and at the right temperature for you can contribute greatly to a good night’s sleep. One should avoid caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals and electronics before bedtime for a comfortable sleep.

Last but not least is the skin. Skin care items are becoming more expensive these days. Taking care of your skin is relaxing and good for the long run. One way of taking care of your face skin is cleansing it. Removing the dirt and oil stuck in the pores of your skin. You can do that using a cleanser or toner or an exfoliater( scrub). If you cannot afford those, you can use Johnson’s baby soap. It is free from sulphates and cleanses the skin without dryring it thus protecting the skin’s natural moisture.

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Always mosturise your face and body. You can use lotions for body and vaseline and glycerine for face. Invest in a good suncreen to protect the skin’s melanin and prevent skin cancer.

Protecting your mental health is also a form of self care. This can be by meditating, reading uplifting books, listening to inspiring podcast or even taking a digital detox for some time.

Always remember you come first

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Carson Anekeya

    The notion of self-care as advocated by the Black Panther Party encompasses not only physical health but also mental, social, and spiritual wellness, emphasizing the importance of nurturing oneself in every aspect.

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