What is self care?

“Self care” . . . What do you think when you hear that word? Indulgence? Luxury? Wishful thinking? Survival? Oxford defines it as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness“.

In other words, self care is something we all do to some degree, and something we could probably all use more of.

The easiest way to approach self care is to incorporate it into our daily routines, and sometimes that’s as simple as looking at what we already do from a different perspective.

Here’s a list of eight ideas for self care to get you started today.

• Breathe. Your breath is always with you, you’re always able to control it, it’s free, and it works to help you feel good, even better, maybe your best. Slow, deep breathing has been proven to help with “stress reduction, insomnia prevention, emotion control, improved attention” and more. It’s something you can do any place, any time (unless your head is underwater, in which case we do not recommend this technique).
  • To experience the almost instant benefits of intentional breathing, simply inhale steadily and deeply through your nose for 5 seconds, then exhale through your nose for 5 seconds. One breath is good, three are better…see if you can keep it up for 5 minutes, or longer. Try to do it every day. Then work up to three times a day.
  • NOTE: this technique helps you quickly calm yourself in moments of stress, but it is also highly beneficial to practice in moments of calm, while intentionally thinking positive thoughts and feeling positive emotions. It feels good in the moment, and has real, long-lasting positive physical and emotional effects. I know it sounds woo-woo, but it’s evidence-based. Which isn’t at all to say that it’s not magical.

Drink. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Still – just keep yourself hydrated.

Eat. More often than not, choose the {tastiest + most nutritious} option available.

Bathe/shower. Better for so much more than “just” getting our bodies clean, a soak in the tub can elevate your mood, help you sleep better, ease aches & pains, and soothe your skin, for starters.

You may already have all or most of what you need to make your daily ablutions more intentionally special, like a place to set a drink within easy reach, and a waterproof (just in case!) bluetooth speaker for listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook. If you’re a thrifter, I guarantee you can find any kind of anything you want as far as mood and decor go. Here’s a list of bath and shower essentials available on Amazon (affiliate link), and a fun and easy DIY bathroom rug.

Add bath salts, bombs, oils, and/or essential oils to your readily available, temperature controlled water (a wild luxury for which to be deeply grateful in and of itself), light a candle, and steep yourself in the magic.

Showers may not seem as self indulgent (although I love those, too!), but the pleasures – and benefits – can be the same.

• Read. How long has it been since you read something that wasn’t the news (or someone’s opinion of it), or a report from work, but for pleasure?
  • I typically read for pleasure at least half an hour a day, but I’ve been through long spells where I couldn’t focus/relax enough to get through a whole novel. During those periods I’ve turned to collections of short stories, which are less of a commitment. Magazines can fill that gap, too.
  • I do 99.99% of my reading digitally, and because my kindle books and audiobooks sync across all devices including my phone, I’m never without something to read (or have read to me). Kindle Unlimited is a monthly all-you-can-read service from Amazon and many selections come with free audio included. You can try it free for a month here (affiliate link), even if you don’t have a kindle; the kindle app is free to download for apple, android, mac, and pc.
  • If you have (or can get) a local library card, try the free Libby app. With your library card, you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks via the app, and because the book returns itself when it’s due, there are never any overdue fees!! Browsing your library’s offerings doesn’t require a card; my library has a great selection.
• Sleep. Yes, I really am saying you should get more sleep, as if it’s just that easy. If you can’t sleep later, go to bed earlier. In fact, go to bed earlier anyway. Get in bed before it gets dark; set your morning alarm just in case. Turn off the lights (including screens), open the curtains or blinds, and watch night roll in. Lay there quietly and watch the sky change; notice as the light in the room fades to darkness. Don’t think about anything in particular. Listen to the sounds. Feel the difference. Maybe you’ll fall asleep and sleep all night.

• Play. Playing is something you do because it’s pleasurable and enjoyable, rather than for any practical purpose, and it’s not just for kids! Playing with kids is a great excuse to play (if you think you need an excuse), but there are endless perfectly acceptable ways adults play without kids, too. . .
  • Sports, board games, card games, video games. Crosswords, jigsaw puzzles. Rolling down a grassy hill, swinging on a swing, riding a roller coaster. Adult coloring books, trivia night, tabletop RPGs. LARPing. Paintball. Karaoke. Playing fetch with a dog (or cat, or bird).
  • Whatever you consider “play”, do it because it’s fun, with the added benefit of knowing it’s also good for you. Check out this Ted Radio Hour about play on NPR.

• Outdoors. Many of us view the outdoors as something to get through on our way from one climate controlled environment to the next. I get it – it’s grossly hot out there, or miserably cold, or raining, or whatever. But we’re not meant to live in a state of constant separation from the natural world. Camping, hiking, biking, even long walks are all wonderful ways to spend time in nature, but you can enjoy smaller, daily doses, too.
  • Choose a time of day that’s not terribly hot/cold/rainy, and go outside. Drink your morning tea on the porch, balcony, or standing in your doorway. In the evening, step outside to hear the night sounds, maybe catch a glimpse of the stars or the moon. If you can’t do that, sit near a window with a view of the trees or sky. Open the window if you can. Try to do it every day.
  • Roll down the windows in the car occasionally. Stick your hand out and feel the raindrops, or the freezing wind.
  • Houseplants near a window can provide you with a healthy dose of nature indoors.
  • Find an opportunity to sleep outdoors, even if it’s only for a nap.
  • Remember that everything on this list – breathing, eating, playing, reading – can be done outdoors, exponentially upping the good vibe quotient!

I know this list is short and basic, but that’s generally the best place to start. What are some of your favorite self care tips? We’d love to hear from you!

xo