We know how chaotic life can be sometimes, especially for people who like to stay busy. If you feel like you haven’t been giving yourself enough time to rest, it’s important to make time for some self-care.

Creating a routine for yourself is the best way to practice healthy habits that will help you feel better and more organized. Try implementing some mental health exercises into your daily life, such as keeping a journal or finding a new hobby like painting with diamonds. These practices will help take your mind off the stress of everyday life and allow you much-needed me-time. As you get into the habit of this new routine, you’ll find that you feel happier and more productive. Check out some of our tips for practicing self-care.

6 self-care tips

1. Create a Routine

The most important aspect of self-care is your routine. If you’re only taking the time to care for yourself sporadically, you’re not going to feel the positive impacts. Many busy people feel as though they don’t have the time in the day to create new routines for themselves, but you probably don’t realize how much time you actually have for simple habits. Starting and ending your day the same way is an essential part of self-care. Try practicing a few good habits every morning when you wake up–like writing down three things you need to do that day or catching up on the news.

You should use a few minutes each evening to end your day  by reflecting on what happened. This can be done through journaling or just mental practice. Nighttime meditation is another great self-care routine that can help to clear your mind from the day’s activities and calm your mind before bed. Research has shown that looking at your phone within an hour of going to bed can impact your quality of sleep and brain function, which is why it’s best to practice another healthier pre-bedtime routine.

2. Plan to Have Time Off

Sometimes, we are not giving our brains and our bodies enough love because we’re simply not giving ourselves time to rest. In our fast-paced world, we place a great deal of focus on career goals, making money and being successful, but leading a happy, healthy life is about much more than this.

If you consider yourself to be a bit of a workaholic, that’s okay. It’s important to care about your job, but it’s also important to care about your well-being, which is why you need to try to schedule time when you’re not thinking about the office or what work needs to be done over the next few days. This could mean requesting time off and planning to use that time to decompose, but it could also simply mean that you need to schedule time during your everyday life to be “off.” Some people do this by not checking their emails once they’ve arrived home for the evening. Practicing a habit like this will help you separate your work and home life, reducing unnecessary stress and helping you to practice mental self-care.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of looking and feeling good. If you’re not getting enough sleep on a regular basis, you’ll notice yourself struggling with a lack of focus, foggy thoughts and exhaustion.

When you’re tired, not only are you unproductive, but you probably don’t have the energy to practice other self-care habits, such as exercising on a regular basis or participating in a hobby like painting with diamonds, knitting or playing an instrument. Set a strict bedtime for yourself and try to follow it every weeknight. Plan to get about eight hours of sleep each night for optimal energy levels. Eight hours will be enough to give your brain the rest it needs without oversleeping, which can, ironically, also make you feel tired throughout the day.

4. Start Journaling

Part of practicing self-care is being in touch with your emotions, feelings and thoughts, which is why journaling can be an extremely helpful practice. When you express your thoughts through writing, you are able to gain a better, more clear understanding of your emotions.

Researchers have found that journaling can be great for your mental health for this very reason. It provides you with an outlet to express frustrations and thoughts that are bothering you. Writing in your journal every night before bed is the perfect way to release work-related tension, reduce anxiety and overcome feelings of depression. Journaling can help you prioritize your needs and explore your feelings while also providing the perfect platform to practice positive self-talk.

5. Practice Positive Self-Talk

Keeping your mental health in check and creating a positive self-image often revolves around the way that we think. If you’re constantly telling yourself that you messed up or you’re not good enough, these thoughts will transform into feelings and affect the way that you function. Instead, try using positive self-talk to build up your confidence. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll probably also become more confident in every aspect of your life.

When you recognize that you’re falling into the trap of negative self-talk, try to turn that thought into a positive one. Eventually, you’ll notice that you’ve become your very own cheerleader.

6. Find a Hobby You Love

Having a hobby is a very healthy way to relax,  take your mind off work or personal life stress and give yourself time to do something you enjoy. There is a nearly endless list of possible hobbies you can pick up if you don’t already have a hobby in mind. For the creative types, arts and crafts projects are perfect.

Try a paint with diamond kit for a new kind of activity that allows you to create a beautiful mosaic picture from a series of small diamond-like beads. You can also try a physical activity such as running or playing a sport. This is a great way to increase your endorphins level, which boosts your mood and keeps your body and mind healthy.

Once you’ve decided to focus on a particular hobby, make sure to give yourself enough free time to really dive in and get focused. You can plan to do this in the mornings before work, after work before dinner or right before bed—whatever time of the day feels most beneficial to you.

Care for Your Body and Mind

We get so wrapped up in our busy lives that it’s easy to forget how to stop and pay attention to our own individual needs. If you feel like you’re always struggling to find time for yourself, slow down and try some of these tips. Schedule free time and try a new hobby like painting with diamonds or a sport. Then, practice positive self-talk and get yourself into a regular routine to get yourself feeling better than ever.