Self-care is important, but it’s not always easy. We’re all very busy people, after all. It can be hard to take time for yourself when you’re constantly doing things for other people. Thankfully, there are lots of small ways that we can practice good self-care habits without taking a ton of time or energy. Self-care can also mean different things to different people.
For some, it’s going to yoga class and spending an hour meditating. For others, self-care might just be carving out 10 minutes before bed every night to read a book or listen to music. Whatever your specific practices may be, below is a list of ideas that you can use as a springboard for your own self-care activities this week!
Go for a walk
Walking is one of the easiest ways to take care of yourself, and it’s free! If you live in a city, try to walk to places instead of taking an Uber or Lyft. If you live in a more rural place, try to incorporate walking into your daily life. Get some fresh air and sunlight, and move your body!
Meditate
Meditation is a great way to take a moment to yourself. Pick up a guided meditation app and make a practice of meditating every day for as little as 5 minutes. If you’ve never meditated before, start with just a few minutes of guided meditation and add time as you feel more comfortable with the practice.
Give yourself a facial
This one might seem a little silly, but it’s a really fun and relaxing way to take care of yourself. You can do this either at home or at a spa. Some spas even offer special “at-home facials” where you can pick up supplies to do this at home with a friend or partner!
Go to a yoga class
Yoga is a great way to get your body moving and stretch out your muscles. Try to find a local yoga studio and make a practice of going once a week for at least a month. If you’re new to yoga, look for studios that offer “beginner” classes or talk to the instructor before class starts to let them know that you are a beginner.
Have dinner with friends or family
This one is pretty self-explanatory – but don’t underestimate the power of spending time with the people you love! If you’ve been super busy with work, school, or other obligations, it can be easy to fall out of your social circle. Make a point to have dinner (or have drinks or do anything else you like to do with friends) at least once this week.
Write in a journal
Journaling is a really great way to get your emotions and thoughts out on paper. Pick up a fancy journal or use the journal app on your phone – or even write in a Google doc! Journaling can be really helpful at helping you process your emotions and thoughts. You can journal about any and everything – including things that happened to you that day, things that you’re worried about, things that you’re grateful for, etc. Journaling is best done regularly, so make it part of your self-care routine.
Take care of your body with exercise
Exercising isn’t just for when you’re trying to lose weight or “get in shape” – it’s for your mental health too! Look for a workout class that lets you unplug a bit (like yoga or meditation) or a class where you can bring your phone to use as a timer. Working out regularly is a great way to take care of yourself.
Wrapping up
Self-care is important, but it’s also really easy to let slip off the radar. Try to incorporate one or more of these activities into your weekly routine and see how you feel! You’re worth it!
