I love myself a good spa day and my at-home pamper routines, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about today. There is so much more to self care than just those things. So here are 10 practical tips on how to fit more sustainable daily self care practices into your schedule.
Whether you’re a corporate chika, an entrepreneurial boss babe, or a stay-at-home momma taking care of your little ones, these tips will work for you.
First of all, what even is self care? To me, it’s a mindset and a way of life. It’s you making a CONSCIOUS DECISION to make yourself a priority in your life, and taking ACTION every single day to protect and improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
TIP #1: WAKE UP FOR YOURSELF, NOT YOUR OBLIGATIONS
Instead of starting your day by rolling out of bed already dreading your day and getting right into the rat-race, give yourself a little alone time in the morning. You don’t have to wake up at 5 AM to do this if that’s not your thing! Trust me, I’m NOT a morning person either.
But if you can wake up just 15 minutes earlier than you’re used to, it will make all the difference. Imagine being able to actually sit down and enjoy your first cup of coffee, or going outside and getting some fresh air, before you have to rush off to work or start running after your kids. Setting yourself up for a daily self care practice begins with how you start your day.
TIP #2: MAKE THE GOOD CHOICES THE EASY CHOICES
Make it super easy for yourself to do the things that make you feel good!
If you want to eat healthy, prep your meals ahead of time. Have healthy food on hand, pre-portioned out, and ready to grab when you’re in a rush. This will make it so much easier to reach for what you actually want to eat rather than grabbing something that ends up making you feel bad just out of convenience.
If you’re trying to be consistent with your skincare, have your products within easy reach, not out of sight in a cupboard somewhere, because let’s face it, you’re not going to be going through the trouble of pulling it all out and putting it back every day when you’re in a rush.
Same with your makeup, if wearing makeup makes you feel confident. Have some easy go-to looks and your essential products picked out and stored together in a convenient place so that it’s easy to quickly “put your face on” in the morning.
They key to a daily self care practice is making it a part of your routine.
TIP #3: HAVE A MORNING OR NIGHTTIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE
If you don’t have time to dedicate to a full-on skin care routine both in the morning and evening, that’s okay! Choosing to do at least one of them as an intentional daily self care ritual will give you that pampered and relaxed feeling. So even if you’re not able to get regular facials or spa treatments, you’re still incorporating that feeling into your every day routine.
The point here is not to use a lot of different products, or use expensive products. What you use is completely up to you. But this is really about having that intentional time with yourself. You’re going to spend some time washing your face and doing your personal hygiene practices anyway. So use that time to reconnect with yourself and relax.
TIP #4: SET ASIDE NON-NEGOTIABLE TIME JUST FOR YOU
Schedule at least one “appointment” with yourself during the week just for you to do something you love. If you can have multiple times like this, even better!
Whatever it is that you love to do – paint, dance, watch movies – it doesn’t matter what it is. Schedule in your hobbies when you plan your week, and treat it like any other non-negotiable appointment that you have to show up for.
So if someone asks you to do something that is not a priority for you, just like you wouldn’t skip work for it, don’t skip your appointment with yourself either.
TIP #5: TAKE INTENTIONAL BREAKS THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY
Schedule in regular breaks for yourself so that you are not working to the point of burnout. You will also be much more productive when you give your mind and body a chance to re-energize every once in awhile. So don’t wait until you NEED a break to take one. Instead make fun and relaxation just as much of a priority as any other task.
TIP #6: SET BOUNDARIES AT WORK AND IN LIFE
Do you find yourself spreading yourself thin, staying late at work, saying yes to everyone’s requests and demands of you? You need to know and recognize your own limits, and communicate them clearly to those around you.
If you’re always saying “yes” when you really mean “no”, not only are you going to feel the effects of overwhelm and exhaustion on your own health, but over time you are also going to build resentment.
If you feel guilty when you want to say NO, reframe your mindset. Recognize that sticking to your boundaries is actually doing yourself and everyone around you a favor. Because this way you will have more energy and be able to show up better and happier in all areas of life. While it may take effort in the beginning, if it’s part of your daily self care practice, it will become more natural with time.
TIP #7: LET GO OF GUILT & SELF DOUBT
If you’re used to being a people-pleaser and always putting others first, when you start setting boundaries, you may feel guilty.
Letting go of all that guilt and pressure on yourself is going to feel like such a relief. So check your self-talk. You deserve to be happy, fulfilled, replenished, etc. All the things that you need for your mental health.
Or maybe you feel guilty for NOT setting the boundaries you need for yourself. You might feel like you’re letting yourself down. But remember that If you make one bad choice, or have a bad day, it doesn’t make you a bad person. It’s part of the human experience.
Do you need a reminder that letting go is a part of your daily self care practice? Save the below images (and share them on pinterest or instagram to remind others!)
TIP #8: PRIORITIZE THINGS THAT GIVE YOU JOY
So many of us have so many stories and resistance towards things that JUST make us happy. The truth is we all want to have fun, buy nice things, and enjoy life. But when it comes to actually doing those things, have you felt like you have to justify it or earn it in some way?
Part of your daily self care practice should be recognizing and unlearning these harmful thought patterns that are keeping you unhappy. You deserve happiness. Your happiness is a priority. So make it a priority to do and have things that give you joy, just because you want to. That’s all the reason you need.
If you’ve been waiting for someone to give you permission, then here you go!
TIP #9: GET CLEAR ON YOUR PURPOSE & GOALS
Beyond just knowing the things that can boost your mood in the moment, having a clear purpose and goals will ensure your long term happiness. It’s really an act of daily self care to be working towards your own goals and the life you want to create on your own terms.
So take some time to review your goals, vision, and your life’s purpose, so that you are working towards something meaningful.
TIP #10: PROTECT YOUR PEACE ONLINE
We spend so much time online and what we see on a regular basis has a real effect on our mental health. Make a regular habit of detoxifying your feed. Unfollow anyone or any pages that constantly affect you negatively. Be discerning about what you allow into your space – even online!
Use the above tips as acts of daily self care to live a happier life overall. These are all things you can incorporate into your lifestyle with minimal effort, so even the busiest of us can feel at more peace in our lives.
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