Remember the days when the concept of “self-care” didn’t exist?
Reading for pleasure?
Listening to your favorite tunes?
Enjoying a long, relaxing bath?
Cooking an elaborate meal that takes hours to prepare, multiple times a week?
These were once activities I enjoyed without a second thought.
However, as my days filled up and work demands increased, even the simplest pleasures like picking up a novel or experimenting with a new recipe became rare luxuries.
Eventually, I found myself waking up to check emails and reaching for my laptop before falling asleep. I didn’t see a problem with it at first, as I love being productive. But eventually, I started to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and noticed my relationships taking a hit. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
To me, self-care is about engaging in activities that genuinely make you feel good. It’s vital to remember that self-care isn’t just a “quick fix.”
It requires more than simply indulging in a bubble bath or putting on a face mask to alleviate stress and anxiety. However, with consistent self-care practices, you might find it easier to manage those feelings.
If you’re new to it or struggle to make time for yourself, think of self-care as short breaks that allow you to re-focus and rejuvenate your energy.
15 SIMPLE WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE FOR YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL
FOR THE MIND
- Meditate (consider trying guided meditation if you haven’t before)
- Organize your digital space—like cleaning out your email inbox
- Curate your social media feed—unfollow accounts that evoke negativity
- Declutter items you no longer need
- Have a thorough clean-up session (a clean home fosters a clear mind 🙂 )
FOR THE BODY
- Go for a run
- Try some yoga
- Indulge in a nap
- Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert
- Enjoy a long, relaxing bath
FOR THE SOUL
- Connect with friends and enjoy a dinner outing
- Spend some quality time alone
- List your accomplishments
- Consider journaling
- Dive into a new book
- Listen to music (this track is known to help reduce stress and anxiety)
SELF-CARE IS UNIQUE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL
For some, self-care means a soothing bath or a pampering manicure. For others, it encompasses healthy eating, getting ample sleep, and staying active. To someone else, it could be binge-watching a favorite sitcom with ice cream in hand, nestled on the couch beside a close friend. At times, it might simply involve taking a nap or having some solitude. Even allowing yourself to cry and express emotions that you’ve been suppressing can be a form of self-care. It’s anything that helps maintain your sanity, and sometimes, it’s something we need to relearn.
As a work enthusiast, I find it challenging to accept unproductivity. I often bring work home and grapple with guilt when I take a lunch break with a friend or spend a Saturday without accomplishing tasks. I started to feel anxious about activities that should bring me joy, leading to a realization that I needed to change this pattern. It felt wrong to show myself the kindness and love I extended to others. Recently, this struggle has intensified. For someone who thrives on productivity, facing a tired body can be incredibly frustrating. That guilt creeps in, making you feel like you’re wasting time resting when, in reality, you are not. Sometimes, life throws unexpected challenges your way, and it’s essential to remember that you don’t always have to fight against them.
The key to preventing burnout is recognizing when to pause. This isn’t about selfishness; it’s about not always putting yourself last. It’s about nurturing yourself and looking after your mental and physical well-being—whatever that looks like for you.
