Self-care, generally, is tough when it’s not a habit or familiar routine. It’s even tougher when your schedule is synonymous with busy because then it becomes a painful chore, yet some people have managed to develop a routine that accommodates caring for their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. If you’ve tried incorporating self-care into your routine but can’t quite figure out how to go about it or struggle to make time for it, we’ve provided 10 simple ways to help you practice it.
An activity as basic as prayer, breathing exercises, laughing or listening to music can do wonders to the soul and reset your mood. Others, suggested by Holistic Teacher and Wellbeing Coach Araba Ofori-Acquah, include:
1. Meditation
2. Reading
3. Mindful eating or drinking
4. Journaling
5. Practice gratitude
6. Take a long bath / shower with essential oils
7. Follow a short yoga or fitness video on YouTube
8. Go for a walk
9. Self-massage
10. Do nails / face mask
Identify activities that usually help you to create a sense of calm and inner peace, those that don’t require too much effort in order for you to easily incorporate them into your routine. Create a habit out of them (find out how here) and be determined to make them stick. Remember that self-care is not selfish, it only creates balance within you and strengthens you to be able to give yourself fully to all that is around you.