I’ve decided to write a blog on one of my favorite subjects! As someone with a past of mild depression and lots of anxiety overall I’ve come to be really passionate about having a self care routine I stick to regularly and which meshes into my everyday life. I noticed throughout the years that the more I take time to focus on making myself feel good, the more I’m able to 1) come out of my bad feelings quickly and back into a positive place and 2) be kind and my best self to everyone around me.

Why is self care so important?

In today’s fast-paced society, having a self-care routine is a MUST in order to maintain your sanity and the joy in your life. I notice way too many people that don’t take enough time for themselves. I have a feeling this either comes from a place of putting other’s happiness and people pleasing above their own peace of mind or feeling like there’s no time for it. Another reason is that some people think pushing themselves to the max is something to be proud of. Sometimes yes, but the phrase “hard work pays off” only goes so far! Eventually the exhaustion, stress, and effect of the stress on your body will build up and you won’t perform well. Plus you’ll be unhappy in your time off.

There are also a lot of people out there who think self care is selfish and self-absorbed, which it is absolutely is NOT. There’s no way you can treat others around you with kindness and patience without feeling calm and peaceful within first. You may be able to be your best self on the outside for a short time, or in short bursts, but without self care it won’t last long. There will either be a build up of negativeness which you’ll spread to others, or frequent breakdowns and mood swings (sound familiar?).

Think about it – when a flight attendant gives instructions for what to do in an emergency on a flight, do they say to put the mask on your kids first? Nope, they say to put your own mask on and then your kids. This is because if you don’t take care of yourself first, you won’t be able to keep your kids safe anyway and you’ll both be in trouble. You have to practice enough self care that you can properly care for others.

How to create a self care routine for daily life written out on a graphic

How to Implement a Self Care Routine

There are lots of ways to practice self care, which can range from something as small as taking a minute or two to breathe throughout the day, to something as big as taking time off for a wellness retreat. I want to focus on self care you can implement in your everyday life, so I’ve come up with a list of ideas that you can use daily. Plus practicing self care regularly will prevent the crashes that require a full-blown retreat getaway to regain your sanity (although I don’t discourage it!).

Self Care Ideas:

-Get up a few minutes early to make yourself feel good AND set your intentions every morning, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This is a huge one for me – I LOVE my time in the mornings. Listen to an uplifting or funny podcast, rejuvenate your skin, do your hair, drink some delicious tea or have your morning coffee with a book you enjoy, or find an inspiring video.. There are so many options!

-Have a no-phone or email time during your day where you don’t answer to anyone (except in emergencies of course). I do this in the morning for an hour or so and it’s been life changing. Another idea is if you don’t have kids or anyone you need to answer to frequently, give yourself a whole day or weekend to yourself with no communication. If you’re a people pleaser, its even more important! There is tons of info online about digital detoxes as well, for example at this awesome blog post!

-Play some music that lifts you up. Sing and dance if you’re really feeling good! Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed I like to lay down and listen to a few of my favorite songs.

The top half of a woman laying down on a bed, on her side smiling and laughing, holding a pillow

-Create a sleep space that you enjoy coming to every night. This is VERY important for your new self care routine because you spend ONE THIRD of your life in bed. If you’re going to splurge on anything, your bed is when you should do it. Get good pillows and make your bed as firm or as soft as you want it. Splurge on that king bed!

-Do what it takes to feel good about yourself and confident every day – or at least as often as you can! If you don’t already have one, take time to create a skincare routine that works for you. Find some new hairstyles you can do in the morning. Get your hair or nails done. Use a face or hair mask.

-One day of the week let yourself sleep in as long as you want! Or if you have young children, take a cat nap in the middle of the day just because! Another option is to go to sleep a few minutes early.

-Burn a favorite candle or some incense to instantly change the mood of a room!

-Take an afternoon to learn or improve a new skill or hobby! This is one of my favorite things to do when I’m feeling off and is a huge part of my self care routine. The internet provides so many free resources!

-Take a few minutes during your day to sit in stillness and intentionally empty your mind. No matter how busy you are, taking 1-5 minutes to do this will absolutely not have an impact on the productiveness of your day! Taking 5 minutes to relax can work wonders. and will leave you feeling calm and at peace.

-Plan your next vacation or day trip you’ve been wanting to go on!

-If you like the outdoors (or even if you don’t- I bet at least a little part of you likes it) get outside! Go swimming, go for a hike, look at the stars or have a picnic.

Woman reading a book titled the sun and her flowers on her bed, holding the book up and covering her face

-Watch a feel-good movie or a comedy, or do some light reading! Sometimes escaping for a few minutes is just what we need to reset our minds and peace of mind.

-Cook or bake something, preferably with fun music you can sing and dance to. I really enjoy cooking and try to cook one of my favorite meals after any day I’ve felt has been particularly long or stressful!

-Either clean up, reorganize, or redesign your space to make it a space you enjoy being in. This could be your room, office, your whole house, or a little corner you’ve been trying to clean but haven’t had time. This isn’t a typical self care activity but I’ve found this always leaves me feeling refreshed!

-Take a bubble or epson salt bath, complete with calming music! A good bath is my favorite place to read personally and I’ll do this at the end of a long day (along with a glass of red wine) 🙂

-The next time you’re at the store, buy yourself a little treat that you don’t need. I try to do this every time I do my biweekly shopping run. In the end I only end up spending an extra $10 or so, and whatever I get makes my day! Some examples are a favorite treat, a fun new accessory, something for your desk or office space, a new makeup or beauty product, etc. the list goes on and on!

Letting Out Your Emotions as a Part of Your Self Care Routine

Lastly I want to talk about a component that should be in our self care routine which isn’t as traditional, which is to care for yourself when you’re going through a hard time / challenging situation. Let yourself be in emotion when something happens that really upsets you, or even if your emotions have built up or you’re feeling emotional overall. You can do this by giving yourself a few minutes to cry, maybe putting on a TV show or music that you know will help get those tears out ;). You could also journal or talk to a friend who you can vent to. You really want to give yourself enough time so that when you’re done letting your emotions out, you no longer feel emotional. I call this an emotional purge. Afterward you should feel lighter and ready to move on.

I hope this advice was practical and something that you can bring into your everyday life to create more joy and peace! If you liked this advice you should also check out my blog post on how to simplify your life. Overall taking steps toward minimalism and simple living leads to more time for self care and peace within. I’d love to hear what your self care routine looks like, so if you have ideas you’d like to share please leave a comment. 🙂

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Profile image of Lauren Kessel, the owner and author of the Inspired Self Discovery blog
Lauren Kessel
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Lauren Kessel is the author and owner of the Inspired Self Discovery blog. She is passionate about supporting personal growth and transformation in her life and others through yoga, mindfulness, spirituality and personal development. Lauren has been writing for over 15 years, practicing yoga for even longer, and has always had an interest in inner work.