Self care has long been thought of as bubble baths and candles — and it can be! But more people are realizing that true self care is taking care of yourself and doing the things that make you feel good, both physically and mentally.
This means getting enough sleep, going outside, moving in ways that both keep you strong, while also giving your mind time to rest and time to feel intentional and challenged. It’s saying no to the things that don’t fulfill you or stretch your time too thinly, and prioritizing those that matter most.
Approaching self care in this holistic way is something we’re now incorporating in our everyday lives and we’re focused on its long term impact on our overall wellness. Not sure where to start? We have five practices to get you started.
Embrace Daily Movement
Self care includes taking care of your body and doing the things that make you feel good. Stretch your muscles, practice resistance training to get strong, and build endurance. Not only are you prioritizing your physical health when you move your body, you’re also tapping into a powerful way to feel happier, especially when you give your body what it needs most at that moment. According to an article on Mayo Clinic, “Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious.”
One way to make it easier to embrace daily movement is to do what you can to fit something in every day. Some days, you might make it to a studio class or go on a hike with a friend. Other days, maybe an evening walk is the best way to get some movement in. Setting yourself up with an option to work out at home also makes getting in movement easy between the other parts of your day, like Zoom calls or before you sit down to dinner. The FRAME Reformer gives you all the benefits of a studio workout and guided classes with a machine at home — no commute required.
Create a Morning Routine You Can Keep
We’ve all put morning routines into place, only to have them fall apart within weeks (or maybe days). We have the best intentions to wake up at 5 AM, eat a banana, get in a workout, shower, journal, meditate, answer side hustle emails, and start work on time at 8:30 AM, but it’s not always sustainable.
Putting pressure on yourself to make your morning look a certain way can take your self care-filled morning from fulfilling to stressful. So, instead, create a morning routine that actually works for you — not what you think should work for you. Maybe you prefer to read for pleasure or meal prep in the morning. Maybe a yoga class and a smoothie is your most productive morning routine. Perhaps meditation following a run, then a hearty breakfast starts your day off right. Or maybe, just five minutes of focused breathing in bed is the right choice for you.
Everyone’s routine will look different, but finding one that works for you and that you can keep is self care, and it’s self care that begins your day on the right foot before you’ve even sat down at your computer.
Prioritizing the Things You Want to Say Yes To
One of the best ways to take care of yourself is to set boundaries and guard your time for you. We often get caught up saying yes because we feel like we should, or we don’t want to let others down. But that comes at the risk of letting yourself down.
Only say yes to the things that fill your cup. Make time for the hobbies you love, the friends who make you laugh, and the time alone that restores you. Guard that time as fiercely as you would a standing date with your best friend. Prioritize the things you want to do, not what others think you should.
Breathe in Fresh Air Daily
The quickest way to practice a moment of self care during a busy day is simply to step outside and breathe in the fresh air. Get up from your desk and take a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood — no one will even notice you’ve been gone, yet you’ll feel both relaxed and energized from the fresh air, the greenery (even in the city!), and the movement.
If you have more time in the day, take a break to garden. There’s a restorative feeling that comes from getting your hands in the dirt, soaking in the sun (with SPF on!), and breathing in nature.
Go to Bed on Time
Sleep is self care! Your body and mind need rest to function at their best. Your nighttime routine is where you can incorporate the things we’ve always thought of as self care. Meditate, light a candle, sip on a cozy mug of hot tea. Most of all, put the phone away.
Flip on a sound machine with soothing sounds for a few minutes before you plan to drift off to sleep and crack open a relaxing book as you get under the covers. Give yourself a few minutes to transition into bedtime mode and make sure to urn off the lights with enough time to get at least a solid eight hours of sleep (though some nights you may need more, especially if you have sleep debt!).
