If you’re an introvert, you may find that daily life can be overwhelming and draining. This means self-care is especially important for soothing stress and keeping your batteries charged. Self-care for introverts is all about acknowledging your need for time alone and learning how to prioritize your physical and mental health, despite all of your work responsibilities and social obligations. Vitality Family Chiropractic + Wellness Center offers some great ways to fill your cup and support your whole-body health.

Visit the Doctor

An important part of self-care is taking care of your body. Health care is a valuable resource for staying on top of our general wellness, preventing illness, and recovering from any conditions that may be holding us back. Stay on top of your health care by ensuring you’re adequately covered for all of the services you need. In addition to regular checkups, this also means taking advantage of any coverage that affords you treatments like chiropractic care for spinal and joint health or counseling for depression or anxiety.

Eat for More Energy

Introverts tend to have limited energy for social activities. Our brains need nutrients just like the rest of our bodies! When we’re working hard on demanding tasks, like giving a presentation in a meeting or hosting a dinner party with friends, it’s important to keep our brains fueled. Healthline recommends reaching for energizing foods like fatty fish, lean protein, complex carbs, and legumes when you need a pick-me-up.

Well-chosen supplements can also help fill any nutritional gaps in your diet and help boost your mood and energy levels even more. Believe it or not, even people who exercise and eat healthy tend to lack certain nutrients that can be replenished with a good vitamin, so add something to ensure you cover your bases.

Go for a Walk in the Woods

When you need a break from the world, head into the great outdoors. According to Truity, time in nature can reduce stress and contribute to positive changes in mood. This is also a chance to unplug from your social life, so you can finally enjoy some solitude without. Whether you decide to walk in the park, jog a wooded trail, or power through a hike, engaging in physical activity outside will give you an extra well-being boost.

Indulge in Relaxing Activities

Sometimes we just need to relax and pamper ourselves. Schedule time to indulge in activities you find rejuvenating. Treat yourself to a nap, read a relaxing book on the couch, take time for your favorite gaming experience to blow off steam, hide away in bed with your favorite TV show—do whatever makes you feel relaxed! Just keep in mind that tending to your own needs can feel incredibly guilty or selfish.

If you struggle with feelings of guilt, Psych Central recommends thinking of care as a limited resource that you have to conserve and renew in yourself before it can be shared with others. Remember, self-care is a skill that can take some getting used to!

Go to Bed Earlier

If you worship your solitary evenings and dread the coming workday, you may be familiar with bedtime procrastination. This term describes a failure to go to bed at the time we intend, even when nothing is preventing us from doing so. Sleep procrastination is common among people who cherish their “me” time at the end of the day and can’t bring themselves to turn off the TV or put the phone down and go to bed—even if it means a rough morning ahead. If you’re putting off your bedtime, try developing an enjoyable evening routine to ease your transition to bedtime.

While the act of self-care sounds pretty straightforward, it can be surprisingly hard to give ourselves the attention we really need. Sometimes, you’ll have to be prepared to say no to invitations or requests in order to preserve your energy. Make an effort to carve out personal time and find ways to nurture yourself every day.