When we are living our crazy, exciting, stressful, busy lives, it can seem near impossible to feel rested and centered. Unfortunately, that means it’s easy to forget about yourself and put yourself on the back burner - but this will just add to your already hectic life! After just a little bit of attention to yourself, you will have so much more to give to everyone and everything else. So, take the time to love yourself. Slow down and think about what you need. Make the decision to do something for you.

Energize Your Body

Exercise is truly magical for helping us feel good. Though it may be hard to get started, exercising for even just half an hour will leave you feeling energized and will instantly boost your mood, thanks to the endorphins your body releases! So whether you run, walk, practice yoga, or exercise in another way, this is a wonderful way to care for yourself!

Meet With a Therapist

Talking about yourself sometimes is so important, and a therapist can really help you navigate all that you go through in life. It can be hard to talk about some things to people close to you, which is why a therapist is so nice - they are only there for that one purpose! Spending a little energy working on your mental and emotional health pays off in big ways.

Unplug

Ah yes, we know you’ve heard it - “stop looking at your phone, you’ll feel better!” Well, guess what? It’s true! Studies have shown that limiting screen time ultimately makes people happier. So put down your phone, close your computer, and turn off your TV - it’s time to care for you!

Pamper Yourself

Who doesn’t love a good spa day?! Massages, pedicures, facials, and other spa services are so relaxing, we can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy them. If a day at the spa isn’t in your cards, no worries: you can give yourself your own spa day at home! Use a face mask, give yourself a foot bath, or soak in the tub with some bath salts. You will feel so relaxed and loved by you.

Meditate

Taking a few minutes to meditate each day can seriously bring some peace to your day and help keep you grounded. Some people prefer meditating in silence on their own. If you feel like you need a little help getting started, there are some wonderful guided meditation apps, as well as some on YouTube.

Love Your Pet

Your pet wants nothing more than to spend time with you. (Yes, even cats love you just as much as dogs!). So cuddle up with your furry friend - petting them is shown to boost serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, which are all chemicals in the brain that make you feel good and happy. The best part? Your pet feels the same way!

Practice Saying No

Everyone is so busy, and it can be so easy to take on too much and overwhelm yourself. To help combat this, practice saying no when you know you can’t handle anything else on your plate. It may be hard at first, but look inward and think about what you really need. Saying no when necessary will leave you with more energy to do things well, care for yourself, and be happier and stress free.

Go Outside

We are meant to be in nature! Going for a walk outside can significantly lower stress and make you feel more relaxed. So, whether you walk to walk around your block or go for a hike in the woods - get outside!

Sleep

Sleep is such an important part of self care - not even just for the beauty rest! When you sleep, your body has time to recover from your long, active day. Your skin cells regenerate, your body fights off any viruses or bacteria that may be trying to compromise your immune system, and your mind has a chance to stop working so hard for a few hours.

Journal

Reflecting on your thoughts and experiences in a journal can be so effective in helping you process the things that happen to you throughout your life. If you’ve never journaled before, try some different methods out. You can recount your day, you can write about how you are feeling (physically, mentally, emotionally), you can write a story - anything! Spending time with a journal and a pen can be a very nice way to wind down at the end of the day.

Spend Time With You

Sometimes, self care means hanging out with your lifelong companion - yourself! Take a little time now and then to remove yourself and spend a little time alone to help feel refreshed, grounded, and ready to take on the world.