I’ve become better at saying “no” when my body says “no”, I’m much more mindful of my decisions, and reading has OFFICIALLY become a daily habit that i’m very proud of. So, I’d like to think that I manage my self-care pretty well.
But still, in today’s fast-paced, TikTok-influenced world, I find myself overwhelmed and overworked at times. And when I get overwhelmed, I can admit that some of the habits, specifically self-care habits that I’ve worked SO hard to cultivate, have fallen to the way-side. I’ll look up one day and realize that I haven’t worked out all week and my journal is rather empty.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self-care is not a product, it’s an action. Unfortunately for some, it’s not something we can buy.
Self-care is checking in with yourself, not denying what you already know, and giving yourself what you need in that moment.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential.
Haircare included! Here are some of my favorite products!
Self-care is a practice that we have to intentionally include into our daily lives in order to stay healthy, inside and out. And when we’re juggling multiple things at once – kids, our career, school, maintaining friendships, being a loving partner, etc. – self-care can easily slip to the bottom of our priority list. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that neglecting self-care has the potential to cause destruction in other areas of your life.
Personally, when I am in a season where I’m not prioritizing self-care as much as I should be, I can feel it in my body. My muscles are tight, I feel more emotional and reactive than I normally do, and I find that there is a lack of motivation to do what I need to do. It’s almost as if my body is craving self-care, and is negatively reacting to the lack of it.
Hmmm, that oddly makes perfect sense.
Incorporating self-care into my daily routine is essential because it brings more joy into my life, maintains my relationship to self, and I am able to show up as my best self consistently.
I love her!
Self-Care Starter Kit
Here are nine essential daily self-care habits that I believe you should consider including in your daily routine! (These are in no particular order)
- Take your vitamins
When you think about it, taking vitamins or supplements that you need (according to your Doctor) is such a sweet thing to do for yourself! It may seem like a minor task, but lacking nutrients can affect us in major ways. Depending on what we are, or are not taking, we may lack the brain power or strength to be productive in our day-to-day lives.
Here are a few that I find myself buying pretty consistently:
- NatureMade Triple Omega 3-6-9 Softgels – Support a healthy heart
- NatureMade Multivitamin
- up&up Collagen + Vitamin C Tablets – Support skin, hair, and nail health
- Spring Valley Vitamin E Heart Health Dietary Supplement Softgels – Supports heart, immune and skin health
- AZO Cranberry Urinary Tract Health Supplement – Helps to cleanse and protect the urinary tract
Get 25% off of your first NatureMade purchase with CODE: NMSHOP25
*Vitamins and supplements are not “one-size fits all”. Always ask your physician about what you personally need to take to stay as healthy as you can.
- Stretch your body
Whether you choose to start your day out with a short stretch, or set aside a few minutes during your lunch break, stretching will release the tension that you may be holding in your body.
Taking a break during the middle of the day to get on my yoga mat always makes me feel better. Doing a quick somatic yoga flow never fails!
If I have the space to, I like to do a quick headstand when I feel overwhelmed! “One headstand a day keeps the stress away”, as I like to say.
- Daily digital detox
Disconnect from the rest of the world for a little while.
For a lot of us, we work online, and when work is said and done, we get back online to use social media. So, to take a break from technology for a little while each day to be alone with your thoughts and present in the moment ends up being a very grounding experience.
- Solitude and silence
Once the world wakes up and the day gets going, our attention is being pulled in every direction. I think we each deserve a little bit of silence for the opportunity to check in with ourselves.
How will we know what we truly desire if we never ask?
- Journal
Braindumping first thing in the morning is LIFE-CHANGING.
One of the things that I love most about journaling is having the freedom to speak my mind without any feedback or reaction from anyone else. Sometimes, you don’t need anyone else’s advice. You just needed to acknowledge the truth.
Click here for 10 journal prompts to add to your morning routine.
- “Touch grass” AKA get some fresh air
“Touching grass”, or getting outside to enjoy nature has a huge impact on our bodies and minds. There is so much going on in our lives, and stopping to ground ourselves and reconnect with nature is more important now, than ever before.
- Give yourself a compliment
I think we can agree that compliments from other people feel nice, but compliments to ourselves are the most important. I find that when I compliment myself, I care less about whether anyone else notices what I’ve already admired in myself.
Self-care has nothing to do with spending money, and to be honest, you don’t even have to leave your house. But, it does require putting yourself first, and giving yourself a chance to recharge.
Self-care is fuel. And without it, you don’t have what you need to keep going.
