Five Ways I Practice Self Care and Why You Should Too

I know, self care is a total buzzword these days. You can’t turn on daytime TV or log on to social media without someone talking about self care and why it’s important. But I want to get past the pseudo-psychology and new age BS and talk about what it really means to me. Self care is really about taking even the smallest amount of time out of your day and devoting it entirely to yourself. No kids. No husband. No work. No chores. Just time for you. It’s a time when being 100% selfish is 100% the right thing to do. It’s not always easy, but the more you practice it, the better you’ll get. And I really think that taking care of others becomes easier and more effective when you can take care of yourself first.

I’m fully embracing the idea of self care, and turns out I’ve been doing it for a while now, way before it was even termed “self care”. It can take many forms and really embodies whatever is most important to you. Some big things, some small things. But it has to be something that is important to you. Take your time to find out what works best for you. Try different things out. But make sure you’re taking time each week, and maybe even each day to practice self care. You and others around you will reap the rewards. If you need a little inspiration, here are my favorite five ways I practice self care right now. They might work for you too or you might find your own thing. Whatever it is, go find it and go do it!

1. Bath Time

Ever since I was little, I have loved taking baths. And by now, most adults have grown out of baths and instead favor a short or maybe a long shower. But I find that a shower is no substitute for a really wonderful bath at the end of a long day. It doesn’t even need to be anything special. Just hot water and my favorite tv show will do the trick. Important to note, having a bath tub with a clear view to the TV is an absolute must for this heathen. Run a bath. Find your favorite show. Mine happens to be a British mystery that is on humorous side. And if you really want to go all out, throw in some bath salts, light a candle and really make a night of it. But honestly, this one is so simple and really delivers the biggest reward. I make sure to get in at least three baths per week. And my sanity thanks me for it.

2. Nail Time

An expensive, but completely worthwhile habit, I absolutely must get my nails done once a month. My best friend got me hooked on manicures, and I haven’t missed one in years. It’s one of the few times where you’re all but guaranteed to not be around any men, and you always come out refreshed and looking great. Plus you can never underestimate the appeal of a good manicure. It’s amazing how many people notice your nails when they look good. So just imagine how many people notice them when they look terrible. This one is an absolute must on my regimen and is a great time to disconnect from your phone and just be.

3. Garden Time

Gardening is still a fairly new hobby of mine. I’ve only really gotten in to it in the last year or so. Before that I killed just about everything i touched. But something clicked for me, and I have this great container garden of beautiful flowers and wonderfully scented herbs out back. I’ve found the trick to plant what I know I won’t kill. It’s been a trial-and-error effort, especially in the unforgivable Texas summers. But I now have a solid go-to list of flowers and herbs that I know will last through the year. My favorites are basil, rosemary, lavender, mint, salvia and diamond frost. I always get these and then experiment with something new to see how it does. This year I’ve added hearty thyme, fortnight lilies and gerber daisies to the mix. Time will only tell. But being outside in my garden, enjoying the sights and smells is totally worth it. Also the simple act of watering each of my plant babies means I have a dedicated quiet time outdoors where I can turn off the day and just enjoy my surroundings.

4. Sleep Time

A lot has been written up about sleep lately. Just about every website will say what’s good, what’s bad, tips and more.  At least three people have sent me a CNN article about the importance of sleep and common myths. You can and should read it here.  You’re gonna spend a significant amount of your life in bed. Invest in a good mattress and equally important, a good pillow. I sleep on a silk pillowcase every night that supposed to be kinder to my skin and hair. I also consider 9:30/10:00pm to be a totally acceptable bedtime. I don’t care what anybody says. I need sleep, and I understand my body’s need for sleep. It’s one of the most important parts of my day and when I’m done, I say goodnight with no regrets and hopefully sleep like a baby.

5. “No” Time

Saying “no” is my newest way to practice self care. I’m 100% introverted which means normal daily activities at work and at home really take a lot out of me. I need to be able to turn off at some point. So I’ve started saying no more. It sounds simple but it’s actually a really big deal. I’ve really had to practice saying no to things I know I don’t want to do. It might be things that drain me physically or emotionally. A lot of the time, it’s turning down social events and obligations that really don’t serve me. And it’s not easy. I place of a lot of emphasis on the things I feel like I should be doing. But in the last few months, I’ve really pared down the social interactions, happy hours, work obligations, and other societal expectations. And I don’t regret a single thing I’ve said no to. It’s liberating and refreshing for someone like me. And leaves me feeling more energized for the other parts of my life.

Well those are my five simple ways that I practice self care. There are so many more ideas out there. Just little luxuries you can do for yourself, like Baileys over ice cream or fresh flowers on my desk. There’s a ton of ways to take care of yourself. Find the ones that work for you, and hold on to them as tight as you can. You will totally thank yourself, I promise.

Love,

Sara