Self-care

Self-care has become such a buzz word….. however what actually is it?

Self-care is anything that you do to take care of yourself; physically, emotionally,

mentally and spiritually.

Getting dressed, brushing your teeth, combing your hair, eating, drinking water, moving your body, sleeping, maintaining your boundaries, managing your finances - these are all examples of self-care.

When implementing a new self-care routine, it’s about progress not perfection.

You won’t do it 100% first time around (or even the second time), because life doesn’t work like that. 

Here are my Top 25 self-care routines (in no particular order)

 Music – listening and or dancing and singing along; listening to sleep music

Meditation – try Calm app or Hayhouse Audio for examples

Visualisation – close your eyes and visualise what and how you want your day to turn

out and/or your goals

Gratitude diary – list 3 things you are grateful for today

Body movement – walking, exercise, stretching, pilates, yoga, swim

Box breathing – breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4; repeat for 4!

Journalling – download your day, list the top 3 things that went well today and the top 3

areas where things didn’t go well and what was your role in each

Ask yourself these questions;

o What am I going to do today to love myself?

o What is the most self loving action I can take for myself today?

Read 10 pages of a self-improvement book each day

Watch the sunrise or sunset

Have a bath (candlelight, music and champagne are optional extra’s)

Get some bubbles, blow bubbles (and pop them)

Grounding – go barefoot and directly stand on mother earth for 3 minutes

Blow up a balloon and play with it for 2 minutes

Listen to a motivating podcast for 15 minutes each day

Walk along the beach or in a forest – breathe in the smells, listen to the sounds of nature

Research a new recipe

Get enough sleep – every day

Go crazy with texta’s, crayons or paint – paint, draw, cartoon

Let your creativity take over - make your own artwork, become a photographer, knit, sew, make candles, learn a new language

Buy yourself some flowers – every week for a year

Build something - use lego, or blocks, straws, paper cups

Go to a playground - have a swing, a slide, or some other activity

Disconnect from all screens and technology (phone, socials, computer, TV, streaming) - start with 10 mins

Do nothing - give yourself permission to just BE - start with 10 mins