Hearing about self-care from other people, you may start thinking that it is all just too complicated and that you can’t exactly organize your day the way those other people are organizing it. Here’s the catch, though. You don’t have to. Self-care doesn’t need to involve any kinds of drastic steps and changes in your life, as even the smallest of changes can make a bit difference when practiced in the long run.
That’s precisely the point. Creating a routine that you will stick to and adding small changes one at a time, instead of trying to make some extreme changes and giving up on them after a few tries. While self-care is undeniably important both for our mental and our physical health, the simple truth is that people can’t turn their whole lives upside down so as to accommodate some new activities. Nobody can say no to responsibilities and focus only on pampering themselves. And nobody should.
So, while an hour long bubble bath and a relaxing massage 3 or 4 times a week does sound appealing, the truth is that you probably won’t stick to it if you decide to incorporate it into your life. Why? Because it takes too much time, and you have other things to worry about, such as your work responsibilities, as well as your family. And then, there’s also the fact you may not have money for all those drastic ideas that some gurus might be presenting, such as spa days a couple of times a week and similar.
Self-care is not about making drastic changes in your life to try and help yourself be healthier and happier. It is about taking small steps to care for yourself and, most importantly, about finding and inventing the steps and the routines that work for you specifically, instead of adopting someone else’s point of view and trying to do everything they are doing. The trick is in listening to your own body and your own mind and in building small habits little by little – habits that will work in the long run and that will, thus, make every day a bit better.
It is now clear that self-care is individual for everyone and that you’re the one who has to develop the right routine for yourself. Still, this doesn’t mean you won’t need help, especially if you’re new to this and don’t have any ideas on how to improve your daily life with some small, yet effective, habits. Therefore, I’ve decided to provide you with some great tips for self-care, tips that are simple and easy. And, your task is to choose some of them or get inspired by them to create your own routines and thus slowly, but surely, start taking better care of your body and your mind.
- Take 15 Minutes for Yourself in the Morning
Taking just 15 minutes for yourself in the morning can be the difference between a good and a bad day. This is especially true if you have a family and kids to care for. Waking up just a little bit earlier and spending those 15 minutes the way you want is the prime example of self-care. You can just sit, drink your morning coffee and do absolutely nothing, you can read, you can write, take a walk, do some yoga, or basically choose any activity that you want. Just keep in mind that it should be an activity that’s related to you and you alone, meaning that making breakfast for the whole family doesn’t exactly count.
- Sleep 15 Minutes Longer If You Need It
Don’t force yourself to get up earlier if you don’t really like it. Sometimes, the best self-care step you can take is sleep in. The day-to-day responsibilities probably lead to a hectic schedule and letting yourself take that extra 15 minutes of sleep in the morning, or more if you can accommodate it, can make a huge difference. You will feel more refreshed if you sleep better and you’ll be ready to tackle the day.
- Create a No-Phone-in-the-Bedroom Policy
Not carrying your phone with you to your bedroom is also a great tip. It can help you fall asleep easier in the night, as well as start the morning off in a better way. Not by scrolling, but by waking up naturally, without staring in the screen the moment you open your eyes.
- Create a Hydration Habit
Are you drinking enough water? If not, now is the time to start creating a hydration habit. Remember, you don’t have to make a drastic change here right away. Start small.
Start by adding one or two glasses more to your daily intake and then keep things growing from there if necessary. Hydration will not only give you more energy, but also generally be good for your overall health. And, cutting down on caffeine can also do wonders for your hydration.
- Throw Some Exercise Into the Mix
Throwing some exercises into the mix can also do wonders for your physical and mental health. Once again, you don’t have to engage in any extremely hard or long sessions here. Just 15 minutes a day can help you start building a habit. And, it will be a habit you’ll stick to, because you’ll always find the time for it.
- Spend Time With Your Friends
Due to those hectic schedules, it’s easy to forget that you should socialize. We’re social beings, after all. Spending time with your friends can help you recharge your batteries, so try to add this to your daily routine as well.
- Let Yourself Do Nothing
Probably one of the most important things to remember here is that you should let yourself do nothing from time to time. Just sit back and relax, without feeling guilty about not doing anything and without making mental lists about what you should do next. Enjoy the boredom from time to time, as it can actually be quite useful, especially if you’re striving to be more creative, as inspiration can really hit during those chunks of time when you’re doing absolutely nothing.