Self-Care Tips to Start Following This Valentine's Day!

Come February, and there’s love in the air! With February 14 around the corner, you may be planning romantic moments with your loved ones. As one of the most-awaited days of the year, Valentine’s Day is usually when you express your true feelings to your beloved. As you plan to make this day memorable, do you take time to sit back and think about self-care? As Valentine’s week starts, gifting your loved ones or even yourself may be on your schedule. While material things can make life sweeter, this year, you can try to think beyond possessions. This year, follow some vital self care tips to give importance to your and your loved ones’ mental and physical well-being. 

Self-care is essential, and you should prioritize it over everything else. This is especially true in the fast-paced world we live in today. Have a nutritious, colorful diet and stay physically active as part of your new healthy lifestyle plan. Here are a few self care tips you can adopt to show your love to yourself and encourage your valentine to follow them too!

Eat immunity-boosting foods for self-care

With good immunity, you can fight infections and stay healthy. Eating foods that help build your immune system is a good way forward. One of the most important foods you should include in your daily diet is citrus fruits [1]. A few examples of popular citrus fruits include: 

• Lemons
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Tangerines
• Sweet limes

Being rich in vitamin C, these fruits help boost the production of white blood cells that play an important role in fighting germs. 

Eating red bell peppers not only helps improve your immunity but also enhances the texture of your skin. Another vegetable that is packed with minerals and vitamins is broccoli. It is rich in antioxidants, fiber and other vitamins such as A, E and C. 

Another immunity-boosting food that adds zing to almost every cuisine is garlic. The presence of allicin is what helps garlic boost your immunity. Consuming spinach can also increase the infection-fighting ability of your body. This is because spinach contains beta carotene, vitamin C and many antioxidants.

Practice daily yoga & exercise, and keep yourself active

There are many benefits of practicing yoga. This habit contributes to your health in the following ways [2].

• Improves your flexibility
• Eases back pain
• Promotes your heart health
• Relaxes your mind and brings positivity
• Rejuvenates your mood
• Helps you manage stress

Take a look at how simple poses help to brighten up your day and keep your health in good shape.

• Doing the cat pose provides a good stretch to your spine and back apart from stimulating blood flow
• Practicing the cow pose can improve your focus, mental stability and concentration
• Executing a low lunge can also boost your mental strength and improve your balance
• Doing the warrior pose can improve your stamina and concentration
• Completing a tree pose is good for strengthening your ankles and legs
• Practicing the locust pose improves your mobility and increases your stamina
• Doing the bridge pose helps strengthen your back and legs

Get a complete body check-up done regularly

In modern life, it is important to have time for self-care. While doing exercise and eating healthy is important, keeping a check on your vital parameters is equally essential. Going for regular check-ups helps identify health ailments at an early stage. Based on your age group, these are a few tests you should not miss taking.

If you are in your 20s and 30s, make sure to undergo the following tests:

• Glucose levels
• Cholesterol test
• Blood pressure
• BMI check
• Dental checks
• Pap smear tests for women

If you are in 40s, get the following tests done:

• Eye check-ups
• Mammogram for women
• Diabetes test
• Cardiovascular tests

If your age is between 50 and 60 years, these tests are important:

• Tests for osteoporosis
• Hearing impairments tests
• Screening for bowel cancer

How to give your mental wellness importance

Mental health is as important as your physical health. It is your mental health that determines your emotional, social and psychological health [3]. There are many factors like childhood abuse or trauma that can affect your mental health. Sexual violence or emotional abuse can result in emotional and mental distress. 

Many lifestyle factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also affect your mental well-being. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle plan to keep mental health issues at bay. In case you suffer from a psychological issue, reach out to a specialist to get help. 

This Valentine’s Day, do something out of the box! Give self-care the important it deserves by making small changes and being consistent with them. For the right advice on exercise, diet, and health tests, you can reach out to doctor appointment on Bajaj Finserv Health. Book a range of health tests with ease online and start a healthy new chapter in your life!