Peaceful mornings journaling on the back porch. Luxurious bubble baths, weekends away, and pampering spa sessions. Shopping sprees. Oh, the blissful whistful activities many refer to as self-care – but I’m starting to learn at its most basic, self-care isn’t about luxury and indulgence, nor is it even always fun. And it certainly isn’t just for documenting on social media. (p.s. I’ll be shattering the viral ‘That Girl’ trend and its toxicity in an upcoming post).
What if “treat yourself” meant treat yourself well? If self-care meant taking good care of the self? Rather than a trendy piece you pull out of the closet occasionally, to reap the true benefits of self-care, you must don it daily. It is more than a moment but a lifestyle, a lifelong practice, setting us up so we can rise every morning ready to thrive – even through the ups and downs.
True self-care often encompasses all these little things we really don’t want to do that will actually set us up to be better in the long run, making us healthier and happier along the way. And guess what? It can be hard. Boring, even. But you’ll be fine, I promise. Here are six ways to care for yourself today:
Get movin’
No matter where I have been on my life path, I’ve always felt better physically and mentally when I prioritize daily movement. There are enough articles out there for you to research the immense benefits of exercise yourself so I don’t need to go into the science here. And before you say you don’t have time, I challenge you to take an audit of your day and see where your time is going. If you have an hour to spare on Instagram or Netflix, try scrolling or watching an episode of your show while incline walking a treadmill. Better yet, take a much-needed screentime break at yoga, a workout class with friends, or a walk with the dog.
Prioritizing fitness doesn’t have to look like mine or that of an influencer. It can mean just committing to 20 minutes of some kind of movement daily. (p.s. Some creative ideas & motivation over here »)
Nourish your body
Food, glorious food. The care and keeping of our bodies requires nutrients beyond Chick-fil-A and a multivitamin. Prioritizing whole foods and (ugh I know) more veggies fuels our bodies and minds. Again, do your own research on the benefits or better yet, chat up a registered dietician (NOT a “certified nutrition coach” you find on Instagram!) to learn about what works best for your individual needs and goals.
Right now I am discovering fun twists on balanced meat/veggie/carb meals I actually like, and packing a lunch to take with me to the office the night before. Bonus, it saves some cash along the way, enabling my husband and me to indulge in a fancy date night on Friday – complete with two desserts and a bottle of rosé.
Do the GD laundry
…or whatever the task is you hate the most that simply has to get done. Find a way to make it more enjoyable. Pump some jams, listen to a podcast, prop up your iPad with The Office on and fold away. Your goal is to be done (clothes folded and put away) by the time the episode is.
Let the image of a finished task propel you. Think of how good it will feel when it is over — no more scrounging around for your favorite yoga pants, sitting down on a clean toilet in a sparkling bathroom, walking downstairs in the morning to a spotless kitchen and sink void of dirty dishes left to “soak”. And exhale.
Visit your doctor
For me, scheduling doctor appointments (and don’t even get me started on the dentist!) is like pulling teeth. Pun intended. But if we don’t have our health, what kind of life is that? If something feels off, take advantage of any access you have to a medical professional who can help set it straight.
Get glasses if you need them. Enlist a physical therapist to help correct your back. Set your annual check-up and stick to it. And yes, get those teeth cleaned. Taking care of your health will do wonders for your quality of life and longevity, too.
Now along that line…
Go to therapy
You don’t have to be “damaged” or going through a drastic life change to talk to someone. Think of it as an opportunity for you to talk about yourself for an hour — just to a professional paid to listen and actually be helpful in their responses. The insights I have received from mental health professionals through the years have helped grow me immensely, improving my relationships with others and myself in ways I never thought possible. As the Shrink Chicks podcast says, “To grow yourself, you have to know yourself.” And what better way is there than through therapy?
*Disclaimer* I know therapy can be expensive and is a privilege to be able to afford. In the past when I was barely making it as a fitness instructor, I choose this as an investment and sacrificed spending in other categories to pay for appointments that ended up saving my life through my intense battle with depression. If you do have the opportunity to get free or partially-covered mental health services, take advantage — even if it’s just a little check-in every now and then. With the rise of telehealth, there are also more affordable options available like Better Help and Talkspace out there that won’t break the bank.
And of course…indulge
Do take some time to get indulgent. Take the luxurious bubble bath. Plan the weekend getaway. Make a massage appointment. Just remember that self-care is part of a healthy lifestyle and not just reserved for the wealthy or those who have more time. Find what keeps you sane, relaxed, driven, happier, and healthier. Sometimes that means checking off your chore list so you can sleep better at night or walk into a clean home after work.