We take care of our kids, we take care of the family pets, we take care of things at work, and many of us take care of things for our aging parents, too.
We get so wrapped up in taking care of everyone – and everything – else, that we sometimes forget that we need taking care of, too.
But we do!
Self-care is essential for a healthy mind and body.
By developing some daily self-care rituals, we can soothe our frazzled nerves and quiet our racing minds. We can relax and let go of some of those daily stressors that cause muscle tension and worry.
Just a few minutes a day, every day, can be enough to give us a moment to step back, take a deep breath (or two!), and center our thoughts and emotions.
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or require a lot of preparation; it just needs to be something that “speaks” to us, and something that we can commit to doing every day.
Explore the ideas presented here to figure out which might work best for you to alleviate stress, and help you feel cared for, allowing you, in turn, to better care for others.
1. Take time to do something you really love to do
2. Meditate to clear your mind, strengthen your focus, and gain peace
3. Go outdoors to re-acquaint yourself with nature
4. Stay in touch with your feelings
5. Exercise to relieve your stress and rejuvenate both your mind and body
6. Practice soothing, healthful skin care
7. Take a luxurious bath or shower. Include candles, soft music, or soothing oils.
When developing a daily self-care routine is still new, it might take a couple of tries to find the method that works best for you.
Some people like a good long run, while others can’t get by without a hot soak in the tub followed by a few minutes to journal their thoughts on paper.
Others like to mix up their soothing rituals so that they’re not so… routine.
Use this list to explore the various ways in which you can care for your mind and body, so that you feel refreshed and renewed in your efforts to take care of everyone else in your life!