Why Self-Care Is Extremely Important- 12 Questions To Ask Yourself Every day

If you have been reading my posts regularly,  then you will know that; I write a lot about self-care, self-love and self acceptance habits. I believe they are essential for leading a healthy and happy life! "Self care habits makes an essential part of healthy lifestyle and keeps us happy, healthy, and more aware of our mind and body needs." Taking good care of yourself doesn't just help you in leading a better life, but it helps others too. To be aware of your self-care habits, you must ask yourself few important questions every single day! Read further to know what?    

Self care rituals may sound like big tasks; or very big tasks to you, but the fact is; these routines are very simple every day acts,  that contribute to bigger changes in your life. So how do you know if you have been taking better care of your basic needs? Come, read further and discover those basic necessities of self-care habits- that can be as simple as brushing your hair everyday (at least two times a day; in the morning and in the evening), to learning doing yoga, etc.! 

Even in the midst of career, motherhood, family demands, and raising children, earning for family, job demands; taking proper care of yourself is important! We often neglect our own needs to meet other's demands, and the result: serious health problems, sleep deprivation, and lots and lots of stress.

Therefore, I've come up with these twelve questions that you can ask yourself at the end of every day; and learn more about the demands from your body, mind, soul and health, in all means. If you have already been following them, then feel happy to know that- you have started your journey towards caring for "self;" and if not, you can always start practicing: 

1. Am I getting enough sleep every night and waking up fresh to take on the day?
We are often sleep deprived; either by choice or by the circumstances. When mind and heart feels heavy, and too many things run in your mind, falling asleep can be really difficult. But, learning about some tricks and tips to fall asleep quickly can ease those sleeping problems. Try and find out more about healthy sleeping habits, and sleep better at night and wake up feeling fresh and more energetic. A "real" good night sleep can help calm your mind, and reduce fears and worries.  

2. Am I getting exhausted and or frustrated easily?
Have you been screaming, shouting, and getting angry easily these days? Why are you unable to control your emotions, or frustrations in disguise? "Unpleasant thoughts," like: fear, failure, anger, jealousy, comparison, anxiety, and failed expectations are well-known emotions; that make us feel uncontrollably frustrated and mad. Before you do anything else; first get over your floating disappointments one-at-a-time. Just close your eyes (wherever you are), and do some deep breathing exercises.  

3. Am I taking care of my body needs?
Start by giving  a 10 min mindful attention  to your body- every day! Take good long baths (if possible). Scan through each part of your body and feel the neglected areas. Don't just do it one day and then go neglecting it for a long time! Give close attention to the needs every single day.  

4. Am I smiling or laughing often in a day?
Smiling can instantly boost your mood, and even your immune system. 
It helps in removing all the blocks, and makes you a beautiful happy person within no time! "Practice a bit of smiling everyday." Smiling stimulates our brain to the feeling of joy, so make those smiling muscles do their job (of sending happy messages to the brain back and forth), and bring happiness into your life. 

5. Am I working on my goals or towards reaching my dream (s)?
The greatest satisfaction is achieved in life, when we work passionately and enthusiastically-day and night to "make things happen," to become successful in living our dreams, and to be what we have always wanted to be! Often check upon those underlying (yet irresistible) needs, as they often tend to slip under the rug of demands and commitments. 

6. Am I sitting in silence every day at least for 15-20 minutes?
A must-do activity for every individual! Noise, daily stresses, and too much of talking can drain your energy and can also affect your brain. Either meditate or simply sit silently with your eyes open; but allocate 15-20 minutes for this activity; once or twice a day. 

7. Am I saying "no" to not-so-important phone calls, social events and parties, or any kind of gatherings?
Do overdo to "please people!" You cannot make everyone understand your problems, so practice saying "no" to the places you think you cannot go. Limit your phone calls. Say a simple no kindly; when you are given too much- at work or in the family.  

8. Am I keeping a track of the number of meals and glasses of water I drink in a day?
Count your glasses of water and other fluids (if any) intake. Be mindful in eating healthy meals all throughout the day. Keep a track of your bad food choices in each day; instead of  worrying about the calories. 

9. What am I doing to keep my health in check?
Listen to your "health alarms." Go for timely check ups. 

10. Am I getting some extra hours every day- just for myself with myself?

After everything else in your "world" is done; all you want to do is, "spend some quiet valuable quality time with yourself." Don't forget to do that often on a daily basis! 

Photo by Patrick Malleret on Unsplash

11. What am I feeding my brain every single day?
Feed you brain with some inspirations, motivating stories, real life success stories, lots of laughter, and happy feelings. What you read, what you see, and what you listen to every day matters; so keep a check on the kind of things you feed your senses. Avoid anything and everything that can trigger stress, fear and anxiety in you! 

12. How best am I taking care of my beauty and makeup needs?
Even applying a hand cream, foot cream, or a lip balm every night before going to bed matters! Taking care of the "essential" beauty routines is really important to feel good in your body and skin.
These are very basic ways to practice self-care. Try and find out what works for you and make self care a real priority. 

Ask yourself these 12 thought-provoking questions every day to do a little bit of self- reflection and self- introspection. What are your self care routines? How do you practice loving and taking better care of yourself? Would love to hear from you. What self care questions do you ask yourself every day? Do leave me your thoughts in the comments below. 

Main Image Credit- Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash