Self-Care

By: Isabelle W.

I think self-care is a very important part of our everyday lives. It includes things like making sure we eat healthy, take care of our skin, and that we’re taking care of our bodies. Here’s a quick list for some of the best ways to take care of yourself:

Skin-

For skin you can take these easy eight steps to get rid of acne and make your skin glow!

1. Cleanse! Make sure that you cleanse your face. I like to do it twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. For those who don’t know, a cleanser is a facial care product that is used to remove make-up, dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other types of pollutants from the skin of the face. This helps to unclog pores and prevent skin conditions such as acne.

2. Tone! I like to use a toner twice a day. A face toner is a quick, absorbing liquid that helps to remove excess dirt, traces of oil and makeup, correct and balance the pH of your skin, and helps control acne. Make sure that you use a toner before moisturizing and after cleansing. Also if your skin gets dry or irritated easily, I suggest trying a toner once a day or every other day.

3. Exfoliate! Exfoliate your skin once or twice every week. Exfoliation is physically or chemically removing those dead and dulling skin cells..

4. Mask! I suggest doing a mask once or twice a week.The right face mask can help hydrate skin, remove excess oils and help improve the appearance of your pores. My mother and I sometimes do clay masks to help soften and brighten our skin.

5. Moisturize! Moisturize twice a day. Moisturizers help treat your skin when it's dry and prevent it from drying out again. I think moisturizing is an important step to maintain your skin's healthy cells and to protect it from irritation. I make sure to moisturize after I use a toner and cleanse my face.

6. Eye care! Taking care of the skin around your eyes is important, too. I use eye cream twice a day. For me, eye creams can help reduce puffiness and dark circles that surround my eye.

7. Sun protection! I think most people do not know that protecting your skin from the sun should be part of your skin care routine. It’s suggested by dermatologists to wear sunscreen daily or when needed. 

8. Finally the best thing you can do for your skin is to stay healthy mentally and physically!

Body & health-

Another part of self care is taking care of your body and mind. For me these tips help me to be happy and healthy!

1. Eat healthy and drink water. Make sure that you eat a balanced diet. Of course I think it's okay to treat yourself every once and awhile, but be sure to make up for it by eating something healthy for your next meal. Drinking water is also very healthy for your body and skin. Health authorities recommend drinking eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. That equals almost 2 liters. Drinking water promotes cardiovascular health, keeps muscles and joints working, keeps skin hydrated and clear, and helps cleanse toxins from your body.

2. Exercise regularly. Exercising keeps your body in shape and reduces the risk of developing several diseases. There are many different forms of exercise. So if you feel like going to the gym is not your forte, try swimming or running. Exercising doesn’t have to be long and exhausting. It can be short and fun. I like to have a set schedule and not to push myself too hard. I want to be happy and fit.

3. Get a good amount of sleep. Sleep is very important for your body. While sleep requirements vary from person to person, a healthy person needs at least 8-9 hours of sleep. Most health officials agree that you should get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep. Teens and kids might need even more. Sleep is important because it lets the body repair itself and be fit and ready for another day. Getting a good amount of rest may also help prevent weight gain, heart disease, and increased illness duration. If you're a light sleeper like me, I suggest using a sound maker or avoiding foods with sugars or caffeine right before bed.

4. Manage stress and find ways to relax. It’s important to keep your mind healthy along with your body. So to keep it happy, I try to keep my stress levels down to a minimum. I like to manage my stress by finding activities that I enjoy! For me I like to read or do art to relax and decompress.