the importance of self care

Many people think that they constantly need to rush through life. Sure, there's a lot to experience in the world and a lot to get done in our daily lives, but do you ever pause to take time for yourself? 
I have always been someone with a full calendar 24/7 and I would never take time to relax and just enjoy the moment. I have realized since starting college and seeing just how fast life moves, that self care should be very high up on my to-do list. 
I have been better at self-care and taking time for myself in the past year in my life than ever before, because of a few key things I have added to my to-do list. 
1. Write in a journal. 
Writing in a journal to some may seem silly or a waste of time. I have found from my own experience and the opinions of others, that writing in a journal is a very great way to spend a little time each day to relax and reflect. Whether you write down what you are grateful for, your goals, your accomplishments of the day, or even just want to blow off a little steam about something, write it down. Writing down your emotions and feelings can actually help you to understand them more clearly and improve your mental health. For me, it is very relaxing and I think that it could highly benefit everyone. 
2. Take time to reflect.
Whether you go up into the mountains, sit on a bench at the park or even sit in your room and stare at the ceiling; taking time to reflect and just breathe is always a great way to soothe your soul. I can't stress enough how important it is to sit back and just think about your life. You can use this time to think about your relationships and how you can better them, or even to decide if you may have some relationships that need to be cut off in order for you to grow as a person. You could use this time to analyze experiences that you have had or are going through. This is a very great way to truly think about your life and in my opinion, is the best way to figure out what you need to change, in order to be fulfilled with your life and the choices that you are making. 
3. Take baths, lots of them. 
Taking a bath is a very simple way to calm your mind and body. Draw a warm bath, pour in 2 cups of lavender Epsom salt, light a candle and prepare for a relaxing experience. I always took baths as a child and played with barbie dolls and what not, but it wasn't until I was about 16 that I realized the amazing relaxation that can come from a hot bath. It is a great way to have some alone time while your body relaxes and your mind clears. Forget about your work schedule, your to-do list and your worries for twenty minutes. Trust me when I say, it is amazing for your mental health. 
4. Do something artistic.
Art, believe it or not, is used as a form of therapy for many people. You can paint a picture, sketch a drawing, write a poem, take pictures, make a collage, dance, anything that you want! Bottom line, when you do something creative, it really gets your mind flowing and not only opens your mind, but can be very calming. It does not matter whether you are "good" at art. Everyone starts somewhere and any art, whether considered to be "good or bad", will bring you a calmness of mind. My personal favorite is to go on YouTube, look up "art tutorial", and there are TONS of videos that you can follow along and create an amazing painting that you had no idea you could accomplish. 

These are just a few ideas of ways to take time to yourself, while relaxing your mind and body. Mental health is very important, don't forget that. Hope you enjoyed!