Here is your straightforward guide to starting a self-care routine that works for you and keeps you feeling good inside out.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’d know I love self-care.
From putting on face masks every other week to sipping green tea religiously before bed, I have all kinds of self-care rituals in my wellness toolbox.
But of late, I’ve not been as in touch with self-care as I’d like to be.
I could give a plethora of reasons for this, but they’d all be excuses.
I could also be hard on myself for not looking after myself, but that’d be defying the number one rule of self-care: No criticizing, only self-love and self-compassion allowed.
This is why self-care is so beautiful.
When life gets hard, it reminds you to go gentle. When the world demands you to run for no reason, it asks you to slow down and work at your own pace.
To say that self-care is necessary would be an understatement.
It can make you glow up on the outside, make your mind a happy place to live in, and keep your spirit shining bright.
But often, a busy life and a wandering mind can make it hard to make time for yourself, which is why a self-care routine is needed.
And no, you don’t need any complicated or expensive stuff to create one for yourself.
Here are 5 essential ways to start a self-care routine that you genuinely love and want to practice again and again.
How To Create Your Self-Care Routine
1. Identify Your Needs
The best way to get started with a self-care routine is to consider the areas of your life that feel depleted.
Are you always tired? Do you struggle to unwind after work? Are your mornings drab and lackluster?
Pinpoint the areas that you think you need help with and prioritize them over other things for the next few days.
These days, I am finding myself getting stressed quite easily. So, my number one priority is to do whatever I can to manage stress to the best of my abilities.
Two months back, I was working on my physical health so that was the area where I spent pouring my love and care into.
What you need right now might not be what you need tomorrow.
So, it’s always best to ask yourself what you need right now and work with that.
2. Start Small
A common mistake people make while creating any kind of routine is going all in.
My father just got back into his fitness routine and was talking about starting his workouts both in the morning and evening. I convinced him to stick to his evening cycling for now.
When you’re just getting started with any type of self-care, be it physical, mental, or spiritual, you should first focus on consistency over duration.
It can be tempting to go all in, but that is a recipe for boredom and exhaustion.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to overhaul your entire schedule. Begin with one or two practices you can consistently integrate into your day.
If you are working on a morning routine, then just start with two healthy rituals to start your day right.
Could be reading and meditation, or drinking coffee and listening to a podcast. Whatever fills your cup and gets you going.
3. Schedule It In
We’re living in the age of clocks and planners. It’s hard for the mind to show up for something unless it’s been scheduled.
This is why you should treat self-care like any other important appointment.
Block out time in your calendar, pencil it in on your planner, or a set reminder if that’s what works for you.
Even if it’s things like a 10-minute morning meditation or a long soak in the tub before bed, add it to your timetable.
It’s easier to commit to your self-care rituals when you have them planned out in advance.
Also, I love doing it because it offers me room for flexibility each day. I can tailor my self-care routine for the day based on what I need. Goodie, right?
4. Think About What Brings You Joy
There is a lot of buzz around self-care on social media.
From reset days to romanticizing life, self-care trends keep popping up light and right.
I won’t lie; I have fun trying out these things myself (as should be evident after a look at my blog).
But when it comes to regular self-care, I try my best to focus on what brings me real joy. This can be different for every person.
You might love reading books when you are low while your friend might prefer watching sitcoms to recharge their battery.
Self-care shouldn’t feel like a chore or a trend you’re following, and for this, you need to ask yourself what makes you happy.
Is it walking in nature? Spending alone time in the morning? A yoga session or a sweaty workout?
Take your time exploring everything, recognize when something touches your soul, and stick with it for the long run.
5. Listen To Your Mind And Body
Having a self-care routine, no matter how deep or basic, doesn’t mean being strict.
At the end of the day, self-care is meant to refill your wellness cup, not make you feel burdened or guilty.
Give yourself room for flexibility and adapt according to your changing needs.
You might love working out regularly, but there will be days when a strenuous workout isn’t what you need.
On such days, you should listen to your body and give it a gentle yoga routine or take a rest day.
There is nothing wrong with adjusting your practices based on how you’re feeling.
It just means you’re in tune with your mind and body and know different ways to care for them.
Some Self-Care Ideas For You
1. Stay hydrated by drinking loads of water throughout the day.
2. Prepare healthy meals filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Create a relaxing night routine to wind down before sleep and aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep.
4. Find an exercise routine you enjoy, whether it’s walking nature, dancing, or doing yoga. Even small bursts of movement, like taking the stairs or doing some stretches, can make a difference.
5. Do meditation to bring your awareness to the present moment and stop overthinking meaningless stuff.
6. Engage your mind in fun activities — Read a book, listen to a fun podcast, or learn a new skill.
7. Take a walk in the park, hike in the woods, or sit outside and soak up the fresh air. Nature has the magical power to calm your racing thoughts and improve your mood.
8. Spend time with people who make you feel good and supported, and step back from people who make you feel drained.
9. Reflect on the things you’re grateful for in your life with the help of a gratitude journal. A small practice to level up your happiness.
10. Express yourself creatively through writing, painting, music, or any other artistic expression.
11. Take some quiet time to reflect on your core values and what brings meaning to your life. Might sound too practical, but it can be pretty soulful.
12. Unplug from technology and take regular breaks from social media to make time for some screen-free activities.
13. Take yourself on solo dates! Visit a museum you’ve been meaning to see, have a picnic in the park, or try a new cafe.
Make Self-Care A Priority
Whether you’re just getting started with a self-care routine or picking it back up, this post will help you create a routine that serves its true purpose.
Self-care is all about you. So, if you have to step back from things that bring you negativity or prioritize yourself over others, do it without any guilt.
You can’t pour into your productivity, goals, and relationships from an empty cup.
Refill your self-care well each day by staying on a routine, and enjoy feeling more centered and energized.
Read next: How To Enjoy Being Alone: 9 Tips To Love Your Own Company
Got any self-care related ideas or stories to share? The comment box is all yours.
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