Fun fact: September is Self-Care Awareness Month. We want to celebrate this and help you celebrate yourself by giving you our favorite self-care tips. So sit back, chill and scroll as you discover your new favorite way to treat yourself.
Let’s do this.
Self-Care Tip #1: Start Journaling
One of my personal favorites and something that truly changed my life. The people in my life know that I swear by journaling. I’m someone who tends to overthink and live in my head. So being able to journal and get out all my thoughts on paper has been so freeing.
There are many ways to journal. You could start by using some journal prompts to help with potential writer’s block. Or you could do a stream of consciousness journal which is where you just write without filtering your thoughts.
Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation or spelling, it's supposed to be raw and messy. You’re simply trying to process your emotions. This is my personal favorite because it gets out all the thoughts and feelings I have into something concrete that I can see. I feel so much lighter after I do it. You can even do it on the go by just pulling out your notes app on your phone.
Self-Care Tip #2: Start Meditating
I am also a huge huge HUGE proponent of meditation. This also changed my life. Meditation is like exercise for your mind. It has so many benefits like reducing stress, improving your sleep, coping with emotions, and having mental clarity.
It can be difficult in the beginning and may not even be enjoyable at first. I frankly hated doing it in the beginning. Don’t give up. Start by doing 10 minutes and slowly increasing the time. I try to do 30 minutes of focused meditation. Start by doing guided meditations to make it easier to focus. This is a great guide from Headspace to get you started on your meditation journey.
Self-Care Tip #3: Create a Gratitude List
Focusing on and appreciating the many positive things, inspiring people and blessings in your life will attract more of those things in your life. Sometimes we think more about what we don’t have instead of being thankful for what we do. This is a great activity to do in the morning to set the tone for the rest of the day.
Write 1-3 things you are grateful for every day. Use some gratitude prompts to get you started as well.
Self-Care Tip #4: Use Affirmations
Using affirmations and mantras daily can incorporate new belief systems and shift your energy to be more positive. There are many different types of affirmations so find what works for you and what you want.
Take five minutes daily to write those affirmations and truly believe in what you’re writing.
Self-Care Tip #5: Have Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
We’re all human. Which means we make mistakes and do things we regret and are hard on ourselves when we don’t accomplish all our tasks in a day. Please be kind to yourself.
You deserve the same kindness, compassion, and empathy you give to others. Remember that you are doing great and doing your best. Tell yourself “I’m proud of you, I forgive you, I love you, and thank you.”
Self-Care Tip #6: Unplug From Your Phone
In this digital world, we use our phones for literally everything and we are always using them. It’s important to take some time every day to unplug and focus on other things. An easy time to do this is before going to bed.
Put your phone down at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Spend that time cleaning your room, lighting a candle, doing your skincare routine, or doing a 5 minute breathing exercise.
Self-Care Tip #7: Move Your Body
Our bodies were made to move. Exercise is proven to have so many benefits. And there are so many ways to get your body moving.
Some ideas include going to the gym, attending a workout class, doing yoga, going on a walk outside, going on a hike, and even having impromptu dance parties. Start experimenting to figure out what you like.
Self-Care Tip #8: Listen to Uplifting/Motivating Content
The content we consume can affect our thoughts and inner world.
Read books, listen to podcasts, listen to music, watch YouTube videos, or take online courses.
What we listen to and read can make the difference in shifting to a more positive mental state the majority of the time. Start paying attention to what you consume and slowly make little adjustments.
Self-Care Tip #9: Use Coloring Books
I love using coloring books to give my mind a break and do something creative. This activity also involves you using your hands so it gets you out of your head for a while.
I like this coloring book because it’s made to be relaxing and this set of markers is perfect for coloring.
Self-Care Tip #10: Skincare, Bath and Chill
Nothing says self-care more than a face mask and a bath bomb. It’s the perfect thing to do after a long day.
Try this face mask and these bath bombs. Plus, you could catch up on your fav show and light a candle and you’re in business for the perfect self-care night.
Self-Care Tip #11: Watch a Comfort Show/Movie
We all have our collection of comfort shows and movies that we watch over and over again. I have too many tbh. Those tried and true shows/movies are perfect to watch when you just need to jump into a new world and get your mind off things. There’s no shortage of streaming options to find your favs.
Self-Care Tip #12: Have a Morning and Night Ritual
The way you start your day can set the tone for the rest of your day and the way you end your day can help you wind down and relax.
Some things you can try for your morning ritual are exercising, meditating, journaling, listening to an uplifting podcast, reciting affirmations, or creating a gratitude list.
Some things you can try for your nighttime ritual are to make yourself a comforting drink (tea, hot chocolate, etc), clean your space, do a 5 minute deep breathing exercise to calm your mind, reflect on your day, make a to-do list for the next day, or do a solid skincare regimen.
My personal fav is The Five-Minute Journal.
Self-Care Tip #13: Treat Yo Self to Your Fav Meal
We all have our fav comfort foods. For me, it’s pasta, french fries, and chocolate in any form. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a meal that makes you happy and brings you comfort. You deserve it.
Self-Care Tip #14: Call a Family Member/Close Friend
Sometimes after a long day or to take a break I love calling my family or my best friends to talk. It can be about anything. The people you surround yourself with also make a big impact on your thoughts and inner world.
It makes all the difference to have people in your life that make you feel good, inspire and motivate you, love you unconditionally, and help you keep a positive mindset.
Self-Care Tip #15: Say No
Be okay with saying no when doing something doesn’t align with who you are or what you want. Sometimes the default setting in our world is to say yes. Maybe you agreed to do something a month ago but now that the day has arrived you’re not feeling up to it and need a break. Don’t be afraid to put yourself and your well-being first.
The more you say no to others, the more you say yes to yourself.
Self-Care Tip #16: Spend Quality Time with Yourself
We are all busy and doing a million things every day. And if we’re not doing something then we’re thinking of what we need to do next or dwelling about the past. We very rarely stay in the present and take time to just be with ourselves. No phone, no music, no talking.
Taking even 10 minutes out of your day to just sit with yourself, get to know yourself, and take a break from the rest of the world can make a huge difference.
If you’re having trouble getting started, start by incorporating one self-care habit into your life at a time and work your way from there.
Choose what works best for you. And just remember that you deserve to treat yourself, you deserve to relax, and you deserve to feel your best every day.
Comment below what you do to take care of yourself or what your favorite tip was from this list.