Self-care is an essential part of balancing out an overwhelmed, stressed out lifestyle. It gives us a chance to rest and recover from the wear and tear of normal life events, and it’s also a good reason to bring more fun into our lives. Sometimes we wish that others would take care of us, but the reality is that if we’re not taking good care of ourselves then we can’t expect anyone else to do it for us. I’ve put together a list of some of the secrets of self-care that I’ve discovered and hope you try them out!
1. It doesn’t have to cost much (or any) money
Of course the ultimate self-care dream involves a week at a spa that has 5-star accommodations, all kinds of fancy facials, massages, and beauty treatments, and delicious, healthy meals prepared for us. However, the reality is that we don’t have to put self-care on the back-burner until we can afford to do that. There are lots of self-care activities that you can do that cost little or no money and include at-home facials and manicures, hot bubble baths, meditation breaks throughout the day, and taking a long walk in a park on a beautiful day. Sometimes we just need to remember to make the most of our resources!
2. It needs to happen on a regular basis
Self-care shouldn’t be an “I’ll do that when I have some extra time” activity. It needs to be a “this is going to be scheduled into my calendar regularly” activity. By doing self-care activities regularly, it’ll become a healthy habit and will result in decreased stress levels! If it’s a sporadic thing that only happens once in awhile, then your stress levels will continue to be high in between because you aren’t giving yourself enough attention and relaxation time.
3. It doesn’t need to take a lot of time
When you regularly keep up with your self-care, it doesn’t require a lot of time. Of course, if you have a lot of time to dedicate to yourself, go for it! But the reality is we are all juggling a lot of activities and responsibilities and just dedicating a few minutes each day to caring for yourself will have positive effects on your mood. There are several self-care activities that you can do with just a few minutes and that includes a 5 minute meditation, a 15 minute nap in the middle of the afternoon, a 10 minute massage at your local nail place, and a tea break in the middle of the work day!
4. It does require you to be present
In order to get the best benefits from your self-care routine, make sure you stay in the present moment while doing it. That means no stressing about the bad day you had at work or worrying about all the things that you still need to do before the end of the day. While you’re doing your self-care, remember that you are deserving of this time and don’t let yourself feel any guilt about what you think you “should” be doing instead. You may be going for a run, taking a yoga class, using your fancy shower gel, or just enjoying a yummy-scented candle, but keep the intention that you are doing something good for yourself because you deserve it and that’s all you need to focus on in that moment.
5. It doesn’t need to be a solo activity
I always used to think that self-care required me be alone while I do it, because it wouldn’t count as self-care if someone else was there. I now realize that’s not true, and that self-care can be you spending time with your family and friends enjoying their company. Just being in the present moment with them and doing something fun is one of my favorite ways to take care of myself – it might be a day at the beach, or a weekend away, or maybe even dinner out with them. As long as you are enjoying yourself and taking time out of your hectic lifestyle, then you can count it as some self-care!
So now that I’ve shared my top 5 secrets of self-care, I’d love to know what the secret to your self-care routine is — share them in the comments below
Also, if you’re stressed out and struggling to make time for self-care, then you might want to join me in my 5 Day Stress Less Challenge!
Nicole – I love this list 🙂 It’s a great reminder to SCHEDULE and be present! Sometimes I try to be in the moment, but don’t shut my brain off. For me running is a big thing I do for self care. Pounding the pavement helps me deal with things like trying to design my website and some fresh air gives me perspective. I also enjoy a good bubble bath, but that’s something I have to work on scheduling!
Love this! Creating small, budget-friendly practices that become a routine will help all of us maintain self-care over the long haul
So glad you like this! It’s so true — we think self-care has to be this big investment, but there are tons of ways to make it easy and affordable to do!
Alicia — that is correct, sometimes we have to think about what will serve us best in the long run and being able to do more affordable self-care might be the better choice for us than 1 very expensive day of self care
Daily gratitude is the self care and positivity booster that’s worked most effectively for me. I have a notebook under bed and write at least 3 things I’m grateful for most mornings. It doesn’t take much time and it’s very uplifting.
Thank you for this great reminder to take care of ourselves. And yes…sometimes it really does not take a lot to do. For me it is truly getting out in nature. Whether that means going for a hike with friends or just sitting quietly at the park.
Self care is so important, especially if you’re a busy independent entrepreneur. It’s ironic that making time for self care becomes more important the busier I get. I see it as my foundation. One way that I make self care a priority is to schedule little breaks every hour or two. I like to get up from my work and take the dog for a walk, do some yoga, or maybe just go outside and sit in the sun for 10 minutes. It’s amazing how important these small breaks have become to me. I feel energized and refreshed every time. Thanks for the important reminder!
I’m so glad you’re mentioning this. I’m in the middle of several transitions and I even forget to take my 5 minute tea break during the day. Do you have any tips on incorporating more substantial activities? Like 30min of fitness/cardio or something like a 2-Pomodoro break from whatever you’re working on to bang out other productive things? Glad to hear I’m not the only one who forgets to take care of myself!
Love this, Nicole! Such a beautiful reminder. I’ve incorporated daily gratitude and I LOOOVE it. I also find that it helps to schedule self-care activities like gym or monthly massages.
I often struggle with making the time for self care but your tips here make it seem much more doable and approachable. I especially love that you point out it doesn’t need to be a solo activity. I always thought of it as needing to be this way but I think you’re right, it doesn’t!