Top Ways to Take Care of Yourself #Healthy2021 #selfcare #stayhealthy

Leading a healthier lifestyle can definitely be overwhelming! What works...and how do you start implementing new, positive behaviors? In today's installment in my ongoing #Healthy2021 series, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing five easy health changes you can make in your daily life. Each one -- if followed consistently -- can lead to big improvements in your overall health. This article may contain affiliate links. Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels

We only get one body...and one life...so we better take care of both as much as we can. Life is hectic, so it can be easy to neglect our self care and fail to treat ourselves the way we deserve -- which is why we need to make a conscious effort to change this immediately! Taking care of yourself is really important, and doing so can result in a whole host of benefits. From helping you with situations in your everyday life to your physical and mental health, self care is guaranteed to make you a better person all the way round. Here are five easy ways to take care of yourself.

(1) Establish a Skincare Routine

A good skincare routine is a ideal way to take care of yourself. You always feel better when you have a great complexion and know you're looking after your appearance. Whether you use simple products...or a complex array of creams and lotions...is up to you. Taking care of you skin will quickly boost your confidence. Further, it's nice to have a special routine to pamper yourself with at the end of a busy day.

(2) Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is very important. If you don’t take care of your teeth, you can run into many problems later in life -- some even requiring emergency surgery. Brush your teeth twice a day...and don’t forget to floss and use mouthwash. It's also important to schedule regular dental visits to ensure everything is okay with your teeth and gums. If you don’t like your smile, why not look into getting braces for adults? These braces can be an easy -- almost invisible -- way to get the smile you've always wanted.

(3) Give Yourself Time to Relax

We live busy lives, so it can be all too easy to neglect giving ourselves “me time.” Make sure you set yourself some time aside every day where you can just unwind and relax. Whether it's half an hour to curl up, read a book, and drink a cup of coffee...or time for a long bubble bath...it's up to you. You can set aside one block of time per week where you have a full pamper session, bake something fun, or do something else that you love! Doing so will help your overall mental health. This relaxation time is vital to reset your mind and make you happier.

(4) Get Enough Sleep

Getting optimal sleep is important for everything from our digestive health to our mental health. We need enough hours of sleep to function; otherwise, we can negatively impact all areas of our lives. Set yourself a nightly bedtime routine that enables you to sleep at least eight hours per night. Try not to eat or drink too much right before you go to bed, and try to avoid screens like your TV or mobile phone if possible.

These are just a few simple ways you can take care of yourself. Start implementing these activities into your daily life, and you'll feel much better in no time at all. Which of these five health strategies are YOU going to try first? Let me know in the Comments below...I'd love to hear from you!