These 7 self-care ideas will inspire you to make self-care a part of your daily wellness routine. Learn how to incorporate self-care into your life today!
Self-care seems to be all the rage lately, thanks to trends such as 30-day self-care challenges and self-care Sundays.
If you're wondering how to get started with self-care, you're in the right place. This post is filled with simple, yet relaxing, self-care ideas that you can try right now!
Now, we know... You’re busy and finding time for self-care can be hard.
But if you don’t, it won’t be long before you’re overly exhausted and operating in a mental fog where it’s practically impossible to care about anything or anyone.
It may seem overly simple, but scheduling in time alone, for daily exercise, or relaxing activities will allow you to know yourself better and to know what you need, not just to function but to flourish.
Here are a few self-care ideas to try out this week.
1. Find Your Zen
Let’s talk about “zen”. Traditionally speaking, Zen is a form of Buddhism that emphasizes the knowledge achieved through emptying the mind of thoughts and giving attention to only one thing.
In other words, finding relaxation and not worrying about things that you cannot change.
Try slowing down and becoming more mindful of all your senses. You can do this while walking outside, eating your food, or even just laying in bed.
2. Focus on Your Breath
Belly breathing is easy to do and very relaxing. Try this basic exercise anytime you need to relax or relieve stress.
- Sit or lie flat in a comfortable position.
- Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move.
- Breathe out through pursed lips (as if you’re whistling). Feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out.
- Do this breathing 3 to 10 times. Take your time with each breath.
- Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise.
Focusing on your breath has the added benefit of bringing you out of your head and into your body. Don’t try to force your breath or worry about how you’re breathing, just notice it rising and falling.
3. Nourish and Hydrate Your Body
One of the best self-care practices is to make healthy food choices and to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Opt for unprocessed foods like whole grains, plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, grass-fed lean proteins and a minimum of two litres of pure water. (Santevia has a great line of mineralized alkaline water products, perfect for the home).
4. Practice Yoga
Yoga offers seemingly endless physical and mental benefits, from increased flexibility to strength and endurance.
Open your mind and move your soul with a daily yoga routine. You don’t have to join a studio per se, just slip on your yoga pants, roll out your mat in your favourite space and begin flowing!
(Pin the image below to save this 7-day Self-Care Challenge for later!)
5. Relax with Acupressure
Also known as an "acupressure needle stimulation pad" or a "bed of nails," acupressure mats are foam mats with thousands of short plastic stimulation points. It is said that these mats may be able to help you sleep, relieve muscle tension, and even temporarily reduce stress.
Spoonk Acupressure mats have 6210 acupressure stimulation points that, once pressed against troubled areas of the body, may help increase circulation and relax stiff muscles.
6. Write in a Journal
Journaling can be a great outlet to dig deeper into how you are feeling.
So, grab your journal and let it all out. Start with a simple daily writing prompt: “How do I feel?” is a great example. Be completely honest with yourself, no judgment - just pour your heart out!
Another great way to clear your mind, by journaling is to write down everything on your mind. It really doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. What matters is that you clear your mind of any thoughts you may have. You could write a gratitude list, practicing gratitude is an act of self-care. It shifts your mindset from worry to abundance. Instead of worrying over what your life is lacking, similarly, you’ll find yourself feeling more blessed and thankful for all that you have.
7. Soak Up in the Bath
A self-love bath ritual encourages you to bring the focus back to cultivating the self-care and self-love.
Fill your tub with as warm of water you can handle. Add some relaxing Himalayan Crystal Bath Salts, light a few aromatherapy candles will make you feel like you're in a rainforest) and listen to some relaxing sounds.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes right down to it, self-care starts with self-awareness. Even if your logical brain knows self-care is important, deep down it can be really hard to devote time, without feeling guilty.
Practice telling yourself that self-care is just as important as anything else on your to-do list, if not more so!
Lastly, if you would like to see some more self-care ideas, check out this Definitive A-Z Self-Care Guide!
P.S. Leave a comment below sharing your favourite self-care ideas with us!
