A self-care routine is not as easy as it looks, but practicing self-care is definitely worth it.
Self-care is described as the daily behaviors that assist you in caring for and nurturing your health and well-being.
You’ve probably heard a lot about self-care and the significance of having a self-care regimen during the last few years. A balanced, whole-body, approach to physical and mental well-being is fantastic, but it may be at first, intimidating.
A self-care routine may feel like an overwhelming challenge for individuals who have never done one before, something that seems hard to achieve in today’s hectic (and chaotic) environment. Others may have tried and failed to stick to the program, leaving them feeling as if they lacked the necessary skills.
However, the bottom line is that anyone can do it. It’s completely achievable, whether you’re new to the concept or have tried it before.
Self-Care Defined
Self-care is defined as “a multidimensional, multilayered process of purposeful participation in techniques that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being.” In other words, it is a conscious act that a person undertakes to improve their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
It can take many different forms. Self-care could be getting adequate sleep each night or getting some fresh air by stepping outside for a few minutes.
Self-care is essential for developing resilience to life’s pressures that you can’t avoid. You’ll be better able to live your best life once you’ve taken efforts to care for your mind and body.
It entails paying attention to your body, taking time to check in with yourself, consciously tuning in to your thoughts, and challenging your actions and belief systems if your life feels out of balance.
Why We Need to Practice Self-Care
Self-care not only relieves tension and anxiety, but it also prepares you better for life’s obligations. Regardless of whether it’s work, family, or something else, you can only help those around you if you’ve taken care of yourself.
Clinical studies have shown that practicing self-care reduces or eliminates anxiety and depression, improves focus, reduces irritation and anger, increases happiness, improves energy, and more.
How to Create a Self-Care Routine
Don’t Do Things You Don’t Like Doing
If you’re only doing something just because everyone else is doing it, it won’t take long until you start to despise it.ou’ll be less inclined to stick with doing things that are all about others and less about you.
What you like doing comes first. Finding activities that you enjoy and look forward to at the end of a long day is the key to sticking to your self-care regimen.
Experiment with different things that light you up and make you joyful to establish a daily self-care regimen that works for you and your lifestyle. For instance, jogging or taking a walk outside, to journaling, and doing arts and crafts.
Try different approaches to see what works best for you. Keep in mind that your self-care routine should be unique to you.
Plan and Schedule
The truth is, if we don’t make time for self-care, we’re unlikely to find it. Make self-care a non-negotiable commitment to yourself. Make a note of it in your calendar and schedule reminders if necessary.
It could even be as simple as planning ahead and laying out your clothing, backpack, and food the night before to reduce morning stress.
It’s simpler to fit self-care into your days when you plan ahead and schedule it.
Keep it Simple
Concentrate on the feeling you get from practicing self-care and let that guide how you incorporate it into your daily routine.
It’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be time-consuming, difficult, or expensive. Writing, for example. You can jot down your thoughts in a notepad and this then could lead you to journaling.
The goal of establishing a regular self-care regimen is to help you recharge and relax, so keep it as easy as possible to fit into your schedule.
Being Flexible is a Must
Commit to following your self-care routine while giving yourself permission to experiment with how you do it.
Some days will be easier than others to exercise self-care, while others will feel impossible. Things will inevitably get in the way, which is an unavoidable aspect of life.
It’s critical to let go of the reins a little when this happens. Don’t be too hard on yourself; every day is a new opportunity to get back on track. It’s unlikely that your self-care routine will be flawless.
Allow yourself to experiment with how you will meet your daily self-care goals, such as getting daily movement and nourishing your mind. Make a basic foundation but keep your techniques adaptable.
Ways to Do Self-Care
Self-care doesn’t have to be all out, such as booking a month-long vacation or weekly spa trips. You can always do simple things in your day to day which can improve your mental health like taking 1 hour of your day to do something you like.
Start out your self-care routine with small things like breathing exercises, going outside for walks, and even decluttering!
Try looking for things you might want to try in this list below and after that, you can start building your own self-care routine!
- Try meditating. There are a lot of guides you can follow on YouTube.
- Hand lettering or Coloring. Coloring is a good method for gaining tactical grounding. It assists you in taking your concentration away from your stress or negative thought spirals and refocusing it in a safe and constructive manner.
- Take a shower or wash your hair. Showers are an excellent way to adjust psychologically and physically, and washing your hair never hurts!
- Have a cup of tea. Or any other hot beverage!
- Write or journal. Whatever helps, you can perform a guided prompt, free-drawing, processing your feelings, or a creative writing project.
- Connect with your loved ones. Call, text, FaceTime, or organize a virtual game night. We understand that everyone is tired of screens, but the power of connection, we promise, transcends the influence of screens. You can also set a time limit of 30 minutes if necessary.
- Go outside. Even 10 minutes spent outside has a positive effect on your mental health. Anything outside counts, so go for a hike, go to the beach, or throw a rock in the brook.
- Listen to mood-boosting songs. Music may be a wonderful thing to boost your mood. But make sure you listen to stuff that makes you feel cheerful and upbeat, not those gloomy emotional jams. You might even make a playlist on Spotify or Apple Music for when you need a pick-me-up.
- List down positive affirmations. Positive affirmations may sound corny, but they have been shown to improve your mood and modify your thoughts.
- Try a relaxing bath. You don’t need to wash your hair, rinse your body, shave your legs, or do anything else than soak and breathe.
- Focus on your daily routine. When you’re feeling down, it’s often the last thing on your mind, but getting up on time, whatever that means to you, developing a bedtime routine, going outside for lunch, and above all committing to something every day is a great way to improve your mental health.
- Cook up a meal. Make a new dish, a childhood favorite, or anything else that sounds delicious!
- Clean a space. Even if you don’t enjoy cleaning, having an organized/clean space feels nice. It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking! Make a path in your room by switching out some hangers, cleaning out a drawer, wiping down one counter. Every little bit helps.
- Read. A book, a magazine, a blog, and a comic book, to name a few.
- Put your phone down or away from you. Social media and digital engagement are excellent connectors, but they can also be overwhelming and lead to doom scrolling. Plugin your phone for 15 minutes, then take a break to recharge.
- Make your own coping cards. Coping cards are small reminders of things you can do to help yourself when you’re triggered or feeling down. Making a list of helpful coping statements or activities to try can help you focus on those strategies rather than escalating your anxiety.
- Apply a face mask. You can manufacture them at home, buy a drugstore sheet mask, or go to a specialty store for a more lavish one!
- Look up some good and happy news. Look for a humorous website, watch celebrity gossip if it makes you happy, or watch puppy videos. Get that dopamine boost!
- Take slow, deep breaths. Slow breathing relaxes your body and assures your nervous system that you are secure. Try box breathing, yoga breathing techniques, 5-7-9 breathing, or anything else that can help you slow down.
- Hold ice. It sounds weird, but it does help!
- Learn a new skill! Want to learn how to crochet or knit or cross-stitch? Always been wanting to make your own kind of bread? Ever wanted to learn the flute? Now’s the right time to start!
- Practice gratitude. Being grateful is one of the elements of self-care.
- Turn off the television. Take a break from the news for a while. You’ll be able to catch up once you’re back online!! You could also make a schedule for yourself. All you have to do is listen for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Don’t scroll when you’re on a specific website. Set boundaries that are comfortable for you.
- Feel your feelings. This may be the polar opposite of what you want to accomplish, but sometimes all we need is a big weep or release when we’re feeling scattered and overburdened! For 5 or 10 minutes, sit down and intentionally feel your emotions. It has the potential to be extremely beneficial.
- Create and maintain your self-care routine! Small acts of self-care can have a big impact. Plus, moisturizing your skin is always a good idea!
- Tell someone how you’re feeling and what you’re looking for. You may need to ask for pieces of advice in order to get the help you require! Make it clear to your supporters what kind of love and support you need. A few texts a day? A weekly phone call? Do you have any movie recommendations? Let them know.
- Do something for someone else. This is a fantastic method to break free from your own thoughts! Send a note, a care package, or tell someone you love them.
The Bottomline
Your self-care routine is something intentional and meaningful to you that can help you feel better about yourself. Knowing yourself is key to a self-care routine, because other things that may work on other, may not be for you. High degrees of self-awareness and adaptability can help you better comprehend this process and what matters to you.
If you want to learn more about self-care try reading this article here.
