I think for many of us, although women probably more so, self-care is something that you can buy. Or, at least, it is often marketed to us that way. It's not unlike the way happiness or success in our culture is marketed to us either.
But really, self care is just a matter of taking an active role in your own well-being, which includes your mental, physical, and emotional health. Additionally, self care "rituals," if you will, should reduce stress and anxiety not contribute to them.
However, there is often the connotation with self care that it is somewhat indulgent, selfish, even "feminine" (which I'm sure comes from the fact that there are now a slew of products, practically an industry, exploiting this concept), but taking care of oneself, mentally, physically, and emotionally is a necessity. It really doesn't have to involve going out and pampering yourself at the spa (although that could play a small part in it); it could be getting up a bit earlier than your kids or your partner to enjoy a quiet and contemplative moment and your coffee before the day begins. It could be carving out a half hour of your day to exercise. And it could also be meal planning at the beginning of a week in order to incorporate healthier meals into the mix.
But beyond eating healthy and establishing time to work out or be active, here are some of my favorite wallet-approved self-care tips:
Having an at-home yoga practice. Yoga is a great way to connect your body and mind and get you in the right head space to face the day or begin to wind down from it; it is essentially like a moving meditation What I like about yoga is that its sole focus is not on appearance but about giving your body what it needs. My recommendation: Yoga with Adriene.
Meditation. There are so many benefits to meditation, a few of them being improved focus, decreased anxiety and stress, and increased social connection and emotional intelligence. My recommendation: the Breethe app. You can learn how to meditate right on the app, and you can choose from brief to longer guided meditations depending on how much time you have.
Just breathing. Breathing is important in yoga and meditation, but even if you don't have a moment to sit down or go full lotus, coming back to the breath throughout your day, especially in trying moments, can really help refocus, refresh, and relax you. My recommendation: If you are feeling especially stressed or anxious, try alternate nostril breathing.
Maintaining a clean and organized space. A messy space often translates to a messy mind, a messy life. A clean, organized space or, at the very least, work space can help make life simpler and help you be more productive. My recommendation: make sure everything you have is contained, has a place, and brings meaning, value, or joy to your life
A good old-fashioned bath. I love a good bath. Not just because its often a chance to pamper myself in some way, but because it offers the opportunity to reflect and slow down. My recommendation: incorporate lavender (maybe an essential oil or bath bomb) just before bed to calm the mind and aid in restful sleep.
Homemade masks and scrubs. I'm a sucker for an avocado mask or a coffee scrub. In addition to them being natural and versatile, so many of these homemade masks and scrubs involve ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. My recommendation: buy an aloe vera plant, and you will have simple, effective masks for redness, blemishes, and dehydration. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and can help stimulate the growth of new cells. Aloe vera masks are an especially great option if you have sensitive skin. You can take the aloe directly from the plant to your skin or you can add it to other ingredients as well for your mask.
Do something you love. Read. Paint. Cook. Bake. Kayak. Ski. Just spend some time doing one of your hobbies. Get out of your routine a bit. Escape. Engage yourself.
Go for a walk. Going for a walk alone or with a friend is one of my favorite ways of taking care of myself, getting some fresh air, and putting some distance between me and all of my screens. I feel like I always come away from a walk or hike with a new perspective. My recommendation: explore your own neighborhood or city. Find a rail trail or park to stroll through.
Make a date. Connecting to other human beings is an extremely important part of self care and one that isn't discussed all that often. It makes us feel good to be around others and to feel understood. My recommendation: we are all so busy these days; it is therefore easy to put off spending time with friends, so don't just make plans to hangout, set a date.
At-home massages. I remember coming across this in my stress management course in college and really loving the idea of making time every now and again for a massage right at home. If you don't have a partner that can offer up his or her hands for the task, yoga is probably the next best thing. There are many Yoga with Adriene practices that require you to massage your feet, legs, temples, back, etc. And there are many poses and movements in yoga that do the work of a massage (like this one, for example, targeting the neck and shoulders). My recommendation: if you do have a partner, try giving the massage. Light a candle or two. Find a soothing playlist. And lose yourself to the work of your hands.
