TAKING CARE OF

MY PHYSICAL SELF
◦ Taking care of yourself can feel like a really big task, but
it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Learn to manage
your physical, mental, and emotional health so that you
can enjoy your day-to-day life more and reduce the risk
of various health problems later down the road. From
getting adequate sleep to setting healthy boundaries,
you’ll be pleased by how quickly you notice a
difference in your quality of life when you start making
your health a priority.
1. Focusing on Your Physical Health
◦ Value your body by eating a healthy diet. Instead of viewing
foods as “good” or “bad,” focus on eating things that you know
make your body feel better. In general, eat more fruits,
vegetables, protein, and calcium to help your body run better. If
you have allergies or dietary restrictions, take those seriously.
◦ Remember that there is nothing wrong with having a treat,
whether that’s a big, juicy burger or a delicious piece of
chocolate cake. Just remember to balance the treats with
healthy options so your body doesn’t start to feel sluggish.
2. Stay hydrated by drinking 8-10
glasses of water every day.
◦Water does wonders for your body! Drink enough
water every day to help your organs run more
efficiently, make your skin look better, and keep
you energized and alert.
◦Try drinking a glass of water every morning when
you first wake up to get your daily routine
started.
3. Exercise 4-5 times a week to keep
your body strong.
◦If you don’t already, add in several 30-minute
workouts to your weekly routine. Do something
you enjoy, like walking, jogging, biking, weight
lifting, swimming, or playing some kind of group
sport. Your body will feel better, and the
endorphins will boost your emotional health, too.
4. Make getting enough sleep a
priority so your body is running at its
best.
◦If you’re a teen, try to get 8-10 hours of
sleep a night; if you’re older than 18, aim
for 7-9 hours of sleep. Go to sleep and
wake up at the same time every day to get
your body into a routine.
5. Take time to rest when your body
is feeling worn down.
◦ It’s common to feel a lot of pressure to push through
and be productive, even when your body is telling you
to slow down. When you notice that you’re feeling worn
down, be intentional about taking some extra time to
rest, whether that’s canceling plans for the evening to
lounge at home or scheduling a day for “no plans” in
your calendar.
6. Practice good hygiene so you
look and feel better about yourself.
◦ Having good hygiene habits can help
prevent health problems later down the
road. Try to incorporate these different
types of hygiene into your daily routine.
7. Indulge in special self-care
routines to pamper yourself.
◦Hair masks, face masks, manicures, pedicures,
relaxing baths, spa days, massages, and other
similar activities are wonderful ways you can give
your mind and body a little extra TLC. You can
book an appointment with a professional, or
enjoy doing things yourself at home.
8. Avoid unhealthy habits, like
smoking and binge drinking, so you
feel better.
◦If there is a bad habit that you’d like to quit, start
by making a list of the reasons why you want to
stop doing that activity. Pick one habit at a time
to work on, and try replacing the bad habit with
something good for you.