Our tips for taking care of yourself every day

Has anyone ever told you how important it is to take care of yourself? Of course they have! But sometimes we lack energy, or drive, or simply don’t know what to do to take better care of ourselves.

The (extra) good news is that it is never too late to start taking care of yourself, and there are countless ways to pamper yourself on a daily basis to feel better in both body and mind. Antoine Lecoq, Director of Cures Marines Hotel & Spa Trouville MGallery Collection agreed to share some valuable advice.

How to take care of yourself

Antoine Lecoq: There is no such thing as a quick fix, but rather a multitude of ways to take care of yourself.

As you know, there are many external factors that influence our physical and psychological well-being. These include genetic (hereditary) factors, environmental factors (such as the quality of air, water, soil, radio waves, and noise pollution), as well as our lifestyle (our pace of life, the quality of our sleep, how much care we take with our diet, our physical activity levels). All these factors influence not only our health, but also our overall well-being.

Of course, we can’t do anything about some of these factors, but we can learn to take care of ourselves in the little things we do every day.

“Today, we all have the power to be kind to ourselves through small, simple gestures that are accessible to everyone.”

Taking care of yourself physically and mentally on a daily basis

Taking care of yourself requires a holistic approach. Just like with athletes who devote time to training, taking care of yourself requires small daily efforts. “I recommend not thinking twice about trying out new things, then objectively observing their benefits before adjusting them to suit you or creating new ones.”

Is taking care of yourself a personal process?

Antoine Lecoq: Absolutely! Everyone has their own personal idea of balance. The aim is to try to attain your own personal balance every day, and adapt your approach as you go along. The most important thing is to live life mindfully, and to make your own well-being a priority by listening to your desires and daily needs.

Contrary to what you might think, focusing on your well-being is not a selfish act, but a way to gain energy and serenity; to feel better, not only in your body, but also in your mind. Feeling good with others, but also alone.

In practical terms, how do you take care of yourself physically and mentally?

Antoine Lecoq: Well-being can be approached as a whole. Whatever your profile (age, profession, place of residence, etc.), the priority is realizing that it is possible to let go and adopt new lifestyle habits (which are usually very simple to put in place), whose effects on our fitness, health, and inner harmony will soon be obvious. Here are a few tips to try out for a greater harmony between body and mind.

To take care of yourself, learn to breathe properly

Did you know that we breathe unconsciously, without thinking about it, around 20,000 times a day? Breathing correctly is as important as eating a balanced diet. Breathing plays an active role in our mental, physical, and energetic balance. There are simple exercises to help you work on your breathing at any time of day, making it a go-to part of your daily well-being ritual.

Taking care of your diet

Eating is also a vital function. Eating a balanced diet provides your body with the nutritional elements needed for good physical and psychological health. Contrary to what we may sometimes imagine, “eating well” does not mean “eating sadly,” but eating more consciously, paying more attention to the contents of our plates.

Frugality is one component of our well-being. Eating lightly (an apple and a banana for a snack, for example) is simple, digestible, and economical! Superfoods are also a good way of creating balanced meals, without sacrificing taste pleasure.

Moving regularly to take care of your body and your health

Movement is life! Whatever physical activity you engage in, moving is good for you, both physically and mentally. The important thing is to listen to your physical needs, keep moving at your own pace, and enjoy yourself (by choosing the activity you like most). The French National Health Authority recommends walking for 30 minutes a day. If practiced regularly, walking helps to lower blood pressure, improve mood, reduce stress hormones, improve cardiac coherence, and stimulate memory, among other benefits. Counting your steps can be an excellent way of finding motivation.

If you are lucky enough to live by the sea, you can try walking in the water (also known as sea wading) to enjoy the benefits of the sea and exercise (almost) without realizing it!

Taking time out for yourself

Between work, children, relationships with others and the various constraints of daily life, it sometimes seems impossible to take any time out for ourselves. Even if time is short, it is important to know how to slow down (or even hit “pause”) and take a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy a coffee on a terrace, indulge in some shopping, have a nap, plan a workout, see friends, read, take a scented bath, practice self-massage , live in the present moment, or take a spa break . Whatever you choose, these relaxing moments are precious and have a major impact on our well-being.

Practicing meditation

Meditation is a form of mind-training that promotes well-being and mental health, and it is becoming increasingly popular. By encouraging the mind to clear its parasitic thoughts, using simple concentration and relaxation techniques, meditation frees us from the negative internal monologues that sometimes prevent us from moving forward in life. When practiced regularly, this break allows us to settle our thoughts and observe what is going on inside us. Meditation is therefore a tangible, effective way of taking care of ourselves.

Practicing yoga

Ideal for restoring harmony between body and mind, yoga is perfect for gaining flexibility, toning your body, and releasing emotional and mental tension. In addition to its many benefits , there are different types of yoga (from gentle to dynamic), so you can set up a daily routine to suit your needs and energy levels at any given moment. To get started, try waking up 30 minutes earlier every morning. This way, you will start the day with a relaxed body and improved mental clarity. As a bonus, you will also have 30 minutes to yourself first thing in the morning!

Try sophrology

A go-to tool for the everyday, sophrology helps to reduce stress and anxiety by combining relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and positive visualization. It helps you to manage your emotions more effectively, and to cope more calmly with particularly stressful events or periods. Why not take advantage of a wellness break to find out more about sophrology?

Treat yourself to a massage or beauty treatment at a spa

It is wonderful to entrust your body or face to expert hands that promise to take care of you and provide you with an immediate feeling of relaxation. Massages, targeted face and body treatments, or manicures are all ideal for unwinding.

“I recommend appointments at the end of the day, when you can let go and, if possible, follow up with a facial and a body treatment for even greater pleasure.”

Thalasso breaks: a holistic, bespoke activity for focusing on self-care

There is nothing like a thalassotherapy break to pamper yourself. As each person is unique, Thalassa Sea & Spa hotels offer a holistic, tailored approach to well-being. Each stay offers you the chance to recharge your batteries by the sea, in a setting designed to revitalize your body and help you let go. You can enjoy hydrotherapy treatments that draw on the benefits of seawater, and expert beauty treatments that are as effective as they are relaxing. The wellness-focused cuisine combines flavor, balance, and indulgence. You can also try out a wide range of physical activities and sports, both indoors or outdoors (in the pool or gym, on the beach or in the sea) under the watchful eye of our experienced coaches. Each day’s program, led in a stimulating yet soothing environment, helps to boost sleep quality and ensure lasting recovery.

Spending time with others

Humans are social creatures! Recent discoveries in social neuroscience have shown that taking care of ourselves also means having social encounters in a welcoming atmosphere. Whether with friends, colleagues, or family, flee the virtual world and focus on shared, lighthearted moments that make you feel good! Need a vacation with your partner? Put everyday life on hold for a romantic weekend . Looking for a moment of complicity with someone close to you? Take advantage of a massage for two and release tension together. Are you pregnant and need a break? Discover our spa treatments for expectant mothers .

Living in a well-ordered space

We sometimes forget that clutter can have a negative impact on our well-being. In fact, living in a neat, clean, orderly environment (both personal and professional) calms our minds and boosts our productivity.

Taking care of your sleep

Sleep is one of the pillars of our well-being. It allows us to recharge our batteries and feel ready to face each day with energy and serenity. It is essential to go to bed as soon as you feel the need. Remember, the first few hours of sleep are the most restorative.

“I recommend ensuring that you sleep in a tranquil, uncluttered space, not too hot, and if possible in total darkness. You should also pay attention to the quality of your bedding (which we often neglect), as well as limiting anything that might ‘excite’ us and disrupt our sleep or sleep quality, such as tea, coffee, alcohol, and screens.”

Everyday self-care: well-being for everyone

As you can see, well-being is a multi-faceted concept. It is accessible to each and every one of us – so long as we want to do it! Taking care of yourself is more a question of motivation than means. By helping to eliminate physical, emotional, and mental tension (stress, anxiety, etc.), the action of taking care of ourselves on a daily basis is a gift we give ourselves, with visible repercussions on our fitness, our mental well-being, and our balance in the short, medium, and long term.