6 SELF-CARE HABITS FOR YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Self-care doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive or time-consuming. For practical ways to look after your body and mind every day, check out this post for 6 self-care habits for your daily routine.

PRACTICAL, EFFECTIVE SELF-CARE

Many of us already understand that self-care is more than a manicure and bubble bath. As lovely as these things are, there’s more to a happy and healthy body and mind than a quick-fix to make our nails look pretty or a soak in a warm bath.

The true meaning of self-care is doing whatever we need to nurture a healthy body and mind. It’s about making good decisions on what benefits our well-being on a regular, daily basis.

• Self-care is about knowing ourselves, keeping positive habits, developing good boundaries and knowing what makes us feel good instead of just what brings us down.
• Self-care is learning about and leaning into what makes us happy, positive, confident and resilient and leaning away from the things that cause us stress, upset, frustration and negativity.
• Self-care doesn’t have to be big or complicated. It doesn’t have to be unrealistic for those of us with a busy life, a busy home and a busy schedule. In fact, if that feels like your life right now, self-care is even more important. It’s what will keep you going even if your life feels like it’s running away without you!

Effective, empowering self-care is little things done often. It’s about building up little habits that you repeat daily and which become part of your daily flow… without feeling like it’s yet another thing to add to your To Do list!

To give you some ideas, here are 6 self-care habits for your daily routine – for a happy and healthy body and mind, without added stress or hassle on your To Do list.

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” (Eleanor Brown)

6 SELF-CARE HABITS FOR YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Here are 6 self-care habits for your daily routine.

1. Create a supportive morning routine

Establish a morning routine that prepares you for the day ahead. Choose to wake up a little earlier if this is the only way you can carve out some extra time for you. Fill it with things that will support you to have a better day or which are weighing heavy on your mind so you can get them out of the way first thing. Give yourself a little extra time to get ready for the day or use the quiet, peaceful time before the house wakes up to do things you wouldn’t be able to do during the day.

Further reading: How to create a simple morning routine

2. Choose healthier food and drink options

Drink plenty of water, choose healthier meal and snack options, watch your intake of sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol. I’m all for eating healthily but I don’t like the extra faff that comes with sticking to a special diet. I don’t do very well when I try to cut things out completely and I hate fad diets that promise the earth but which I can’t deliver on. Instead, I prefer to just try choosing healthier options wherever possible. Decaf coffee sometimes instead of the strong stuff. Half a glass of wine mixed with some lemonade. If I set the bar too high, I never meet my own expectations. Give myself a little more latitude and I usually surprise myself!

Further reading: Simple tips for healthy eating

3. Move your body regularly

Take regular exercise and move your body in a way that’s comfortable to you. Choose to walk instead of hopping in the car, the stairs instead of the lift, kick a football around the park with your kids instead of screen time. Again, it’s about setting realistic and simple targets and expectations for yourself instead of setting the bar too high and giving up because you can’t reach. A little bit of exercise as often as you can will do much more for you than one month in the gym and 11 months off.

4. Listen to yourself

Check-in with how you’re feeling and recognise when you’re having a bad day, need to slow down, do less, come away from the screens, avoid social media, take a nap, let off steam, hug someone, confide your thoughts or share a laugh. Your body and mind will tell you what they need if you choose to listen to them instead of the noise of the busy world outside.

Further reading: How to slow down and enjoy the little things

If you ever feel tired out, worn down or in need of some TLC, perhaps it’s time to do something just for YOU! Use the Ultimate Self-Care Toolkit to help you build a realistic, easy and supportive self-care plan for your body and mind to become your BEST SELF! Click here to learn more…

5. Do something that makes you happy

There’s enough sadness and struggle in the world and we could all do with a little more cheer and joy. Be mindful of the little things in life, laugh as much as you can and seek out happiness wherever possible. Have a laugh with your friend, joke with your partner, giggle with your kids. Be mindful, be grateful, be happier.

Further reading: 20 ways to be happier

6. Create a calming evening and bedtime routine

A calm, restful evening routine helps us wind down from the day and prepare your body and mind for sleep. Stay away from the screens, do things that quieten your brain and relax after your busy day. What you haven’t got done today, pop them on your list to do them tomorrow.

Further reading: How to create a simple evening routine

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I’m Antonia and on this blog I share practical inspiration to simplify your home, time and life. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest! You can also subscribe to Balance Through Simplicity and receive regular simplicity tips straight to your inbox for free. Make sure you never miss an article plus you’ll get a copy of my free Declutter Starter Kit as a welcome gift!