When many people think of self-care, images of indulgent spa days and lavish body treatments come to mind. But in today’s busy world with packed schedules and very little downtime, many of us can’t fathom having an opportunity for such luxuries. That’s why now is the time to start looking at self-care a bit differently – in a more accessible and affordable way that can fit into any busy schedule. So, whether you have half a day or just an hour, half hour, or even 10 minutes yourself today, here are some easy ways to schedule in a dose of self-care that your mind, body, and spirit truly need.
If You Have Half a Day…
If you’re lucky enough to have an entire morning or afternoon to yourself, to do whatever you please without obligations, there are lots of things you can do to boost your mental and emotional state. The outdoors has a wonderful way of rejuvenating you, so consider planning a half-day hike at a nearby park or nature preserve. Pack a healthy snack, plenty of water, and perhaps your favorite natural health supplement to take with food. Other things you can do to practice self-care for half a day is browse locally owned shops in a town near you, binge on your favorite television show, or book a massage at a nearby spa.
If You Have an Hour…
It’s also easy to get outdoors and active to practice self-care if you have an hour to yourself today. Take your dog for a walk or go for a jog around your neighborhood to get some exercise and fresh air. You can also book a manicure or pedicure at a local salon, take a relaxing bath with a soothing essential oil, or try cooking a new healthy recipe if cooking is something that relaxes you.
If You Have 30 Minutes…
Reading a good fiction book, listening to music, or picking up a coloring book and a few colored pencils to create some amateur art are all wonderful ways to spend a half-hour of self-care. Even simply taking a long, hot shower can provide you with the rejuvenating feeling you need, not only to get through the day, but to tackle it head-on.
If You Have 10 Minutes…
Perhaps you think that 10 minutes is far too short of a time to make any significant difference in your day. Wrong! Even if you can only squeeze in this amount of time for self-care, the time is valuable and something that you should feel grateful for. Brew a cup of soothing olive leaf mint tea while you jot down your current thoughts in a journal. You can also download a meditation app on your smartphone and do a five-minute or ten-minute meditation to clear your mind and take a moment to breathe. Just doing a few body stretches can also awaken your senses and help you take care of yourself a little bit better.
No matter how much time you have to spare, just remember that self-care is not selfish. You need to take good care of yourself so that you are able to take care of loved ones and be the best version of yourself. When life gets busy, self-care is often the first thing to be pushed to the back burner. But this can easily lead to high levels of stress, burnout, and an overall dissatisfaction with life. If you struggle with anxiety or bad moods you can’t shake off, self-care is one of the very best things you can do for yourself and the people around you.
What’s your favorite way to practice self-care? Leave your best self-care tips in the comment section below to help other readers!