5 Self-Care Tips that don't involve a gym.

When we think about health and fitness, many of us automatically conjure up images of sweaty people on cardio equipment and bulging muscles in the weight room. What many of us fail to realize is that fitness is much more than the gym.

Complete health and wellness includes taking care of yourself, not just your waistline, but your emotions, your immune system, your stress level, and your overall quality of life.

Here are 5 things you can begin to implement into your self-care/fitness routine immediately that don't involve you having to set foot in a gym. They won't help you work up a sweat, but I promise that these practices will help you feel better, have more energy, and help maintain the strength and stamina you need to crush your next workout session.

1. MEDITATE

Now if you have never meditated this can feel a little intimidating. But the benefits of a regular meditation practice have been made known. Meditation helps reduce stress by keeping you grounded. It helps you stay clear and focused throughout the day. It helps increase metabolism by delivering oxygen and nutrients to all of the muscles. It helps with better sleep and helps maintain a healthy immune system. No need to get flustered about meditating. There are plenty of apps that can help you get started. My favorite is Insight Timer. It has guided meditations ranging from 5 minutes in length to over half an hour. If your'e still not convinced, think of laying down with some relaxing music and low lights. Taking time out of your day to experience silence is essential in an overall healthy lifestyle.

2. SELF OIL MASSAGE

In Ayurveda, this practice is known as Abhyanga. We also forget that our skin is the largest organ we have. We always think about what we put into our body, but we forget about what we put on our body. We can and should feed our skin with nutrients, not synthetic lotions and creams. Massaging organic, nutrient dense oils on our skin also feeds our muscles, nerves and internal organs. What we put on our skin gets absorbed by the entire body. There are a number of oils one can use for abhyanga, such as coconut oil, sesame oil, almond oil, safflower oil. I would recommend consulting an Ayurvedic Practitioner first. He or she will be able to tell you which oil is best for your individual body and energy. Using the wrong oils can create an imbalance.

3. LEARN TO SAY NO...

I have to admit that I am guilty of this one. I can be a people pleaser. I tend to take on too many responsibilities and my plate gets full very fast. It is hard for me to say no. People ask me to do things, and my first instinct is to say yes. Often times I don't even think about all of the other things I have committed too before agreeing to do something else. It is okay to say No. We don't have to do everything. It is actually crucial for us to give ourselves time to replenish. When we are constantly running around trying to please others, we eventually run out of gas. This leaves us depleted, which in turn can create havoc on our metabolism. This will lead to weight gain, increased stress, and unhappiness. And we have to ask ourselves, "What's the point of exercising all the time, going to the gym, and eating right, if we're not happy?" Put yourself first every once in awhile. Your body will thank you for it.

4. REST

Schedule your rest. Write in in your planner. Put a bedtime alarm on your phone. Do what ever it takes to get some good quality sleep. This is when our bodies recover, and if your're a gym rat, you need this more than you think. We need to allow our muscles to heal. We also need to give our nervous systems time to slow down, heal, and rebuild. In our over stimulated world, our nervous systems can take a beating. Make sure you are getting your sleep. The benefits of quality sleep are unarguable. Get your sleep. Turn off the TV. Put down your phone. Unplug, and let your mind and body get the rest they deserve.

5. EAT AT LEAST ONE MEAL A DAY IN SILENCE

Again, we rush from one task to the next. Often times we eat on the run without giving any thought to the food we consume. When we do this, we don't allow our digestive system to do its job. This is to digest food...and nutrients, and deliver them to our organs and tissues. Many of us experience digestive issues, and my bet is that if we would slow down and give ourselves the gift of experiencing our food, our digestions would run a whole lot smoother. So the last bit of advice is to eat at least one meal a day in silence. Take your time and enjoy what is going into your body. Eat away from the TV. Eat in a clean and relaxing environment. Bless your food. And be conscious of the act of eating.

Much love to you all.

Sabrina