Friday

"Every day, I honor who I am."

Happy Friday! We’re wrapping up this week of self-care with:

• The surprising impacts of spending more time at home

• The importance of sleep for physical and mental health

• How does sleep impact your day?

• Discover the practice of winter solstice journaling

The Surprising Impacts of Spending More Time at Home

With people beginning more remote work than ever over the past few years, many of us spend significantly more time at home.

We may have felt cooped up when remote work first began — but for others, it’s become a welcome habit to spend our days cozy on the couch.

But how is it impacting us? According to research, we may want to prioritize getting out of the house more.

One study from Princeton found that an increase in time spent inside was linked with “lower levels in happiness and less meaning.”

When we spend more time at home, we may be more isolated and feel disconnected from the world around us.

Although many introverts may not complain about being home often, it’s important to consider how spending so much time in one place impacts your well-being. Try and check in with yourself a couple of times throughout the day and tap into your feelings.

What do you need? If you notice you’re feeling restless or isolated, this could be a great opportunity to head out for a walk, go to a coffee shop or library, or simply give a friend a call! Small steps like this can go a long way to combat those feelings of isolation we may get from being at home.

The Importance of Sleep for Physical and Mental Health

Many of us know the familiar feeling of a rough day following a night of too little sleep. You may feel drained, have trouble focusing, and struggle to make it through the day.

Sleep does more than help us stay energized — it’s critical for our physical and mental health!

Experts note that sleep positively impacts nearly every tissue in our bodies. And a lack of sleep can increase the risk of many health conditions — including heart disease, infections, and more.

It supports a strong immune system — not getting enough sleep may cause difficulties for our bodies in fighting off infections. Furthermore, our bodies heal and repair while we rest, which is critical!

Sleep also benefits our mental health. It helps us consolidate memories, and growing evidence shows it may help our brains clear out cellular protein debris.

As we rest, our brains also form new pathways that help us remember information.

Sleep benefits so many important body functions, so find ways to make it a priority!

How Does Sleep Impact Your Day?

Thank you to Beam for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Discover Winter Solstice Journaling

The official start of winter is approaching, with tomorrow marking the “shortest” day of the year.

Winter is the perfect time for pause and reflection — and what better way to celebrate the official start of the season than with some journaling!

If you’re looking to inspire some reflection through journaling but aren’t sure where exactly to begin, here are some prompts for the solstice that can help get your thoughts flowing:

• What are some lessons I learned in the past season? What would I like to accomplish in this season?

• How can I pour into myself this winter?

• What areas of my life would I like to dedicate more attention to?

• Is there anything I want to leave behind as I enter this new season?

• How can I embrace the peace and pause of winter?

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Don’t feel like you have to stay set in the prompts — let your journaling take you wherever it feels most organic!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True! Self-care can help us be more productive in our day-to-day — which can have great impacts overall!

• 🎁 Our Holiday Self-Care Picks: Don’t forget to check out our 2024 gift guide, a collection of thoughtful, wellness-focused products that help you feel your best, inside and out. Shop our gift guide here!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: While the days are colder and we may feel cooped up inside, find little things that spark joy.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!