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Self-care is getting all the buzz these days. From Instagram feeds being swamped with luxurious baths to news channels and Facebook feeds being clogged with the detrimental consequences of ignoring self-care, it can start to feel overwhelming.
Is it really necessary to have a rose petal bath nightly to feel like self-care? Is it really necessary to book your schedule full of facials, massages, and acupuncture in order to feel like you’re doing it “right”?
Not at all.
The best self-care is the self-care that happens on a micro-level every day. Self-care isn’t meant to be one grande gesture. It’s meant to be a way you live your life so you can create a life you don’t feel the need to escape from.
I’m walking you through several ways you can incorporate real self-care into your life every day and to create a life you wake up excited to live.
Eating well.
I don’t just mean satisfying your cravings. While, yes, I do believe it’s important to have what you crave, I think it’s equally important to nourish.
It’s hard to feel good mentally when you’re not feeling good physically. Try your best to eat well and nourish yourself most of the time with extras here and there.
Treat your body like it’s the only one you’ll ever have, because it is. Just like your soul thrives off of love and kindness, your body thrives off of natural, wholesome food. Your body and soul deserve it.
Limiting screen time.
Let’s just get this out there: The Internet is fascinating. It’s easy to scroll on Instagram or Facebook or Pinterest for hours on end because it’s entertaining and our brains love it.
But, our minds and our souls don’t always love it. A lot of screen time can also lead to a lot of comparison, which just leads to a lot of feeling crappy about your own life. There comes a point where scrolling can go from taking a break into self-punishment.
Put away the screen for 10 minutes and get outside. Walk around if you want. Or, stand in the fresh air and notice the things around you. Take time to listen to your surroundings and feel the air on your skin. Taking 10 minutes every day can make the difference between an okay-ish day and a good day.
I'm walking you through several ways you can incorporate real self-care into your life every day and to create a life you wake up excited to live. Click To TweetSetting boundaries.
I’m a big advocate for boundaries. Boundaries aren’t about building walls. They’re about building bridges and guiding people along the path.
There’s boundaries with others and boundaries with yourself. First and foremost, you have to set boundaries with yourself. When you do, you’re giving yourself guidelines and standards by which you live by so you can live the best life imaginable.
A boundary with yourself can look like dedicating a few minutes every night to wash your face and brush your teeth before bed. It can look like banning yourself from typing in your ex’s Instagram handle to check up on them. They can also look like setting aside time for yourself every day to do whatever you want and need in the moment: nap, read, chat with friends.
Meditating.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can choose to use an app if you want. My preferred is Headspace, but I’ve also heard great things about Calm.
Meditating can also look like setting aside 5-20 minutes in the moment to just sit and be. It looks like sitting where you’re comfortable and focus on releasing your thoughts. Get comfortable with emptying your mind of anxieties, emotions, and to-do lists.
You can repeat mantras to start your day with if you’d like. Some great mantras center on abundance, healing, and gratitude.
Hanging out with friends.
This is true medicine for the soul. Being with friends and loved ones gets us out of our minds, especially when we’re struggling with feeling overwhelmed.
I once had a high school teacher who would hand out study schedules during mid-term and finals season. Every single study schedule had time carved out to go see a movie, have a girls night, have a family dinner, etc.
His philosophy was that being too centered on stress, goals, and expectations will send a person straight into misery. And, he wasn’t wrong.
The best self-care antidote to all of life’s challenges? Having fun with the people you love.
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