I hate the word self-care. But I’m about to use it a million times in this blog post.
The idea of self-care is great. Having rituals that allow you to recharge and take care of yourself.
What’s been rubbing me the wrong way is the idea that self care has to be expensive. And that it also has to be time consuming. I see bloggers posting about their elaborate self care routines. These extravagant rituals that take hours to complete. Who the fuck has time for that?? Not I.
And as much as I would love for my self-care routine to include luxurious facials, fancy massages and acupuncture, that’s not realistic to my life. And my current budget.
But I still believe in the importance of self care. I’m an introvert but my job as a fitness instructor requires me to be extroverted. Very extroverted. Because of this, I know I have to protect my energy when I’m not teaching and I tend to spend a lot of time alone. Whatever your career, life, situation is, recharging is SO important. Ya don’t want to burn yourself out, my loves.
Here are some of the super realistic (and mostly free!) ways I’ve been practicing self-care lately:
Realistic Ways To Practice Self-Care
Reading before I go to bed rather than scrolling
I don’t do this 100% of the time, but I’m usually pretty good about putting my phone away and reading before I go to sleep. It’s a habit my librarian mama instilled in me and my brother at a young age — and it’s stuck with us!
Also on the topic of reading, I’ve been reading exclusively fiction lately.
At first I felt guilty that this is what I’m reading — shouldn’t I be reading marketing and self-help type books books that better my business and my life? Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for non-fiction. I’m SO not hating on the genre. But lately it’s not what I’ve been craving.
To me, there is nothing cozier than curling up to a deliciously addicting fiction book. I get totally sucked into that world and fall in love with the characters I’m reading about. I find this far more relaxing than reading thought provoking non-fiction before bedtime.
Some of my recent favorite reads:
Taking an extra long shower where you don’t have to rush
There’s nothing more glorious than taking a long, elaborate, shower where you don’t have to rush and get ready right after, ya feel me? Well, the experience can be made two folds with a magnificent bathroom. You can think about getting your bathroom remodeled to install a huge bathtub, multi-head shower, fancy shower products, etc. However, ensure the shower head height is perfect for you, and with that, you can relish your self-care ritual to the fullest.
During the week my showers are usually super speedy. I have to run off to the next meeting or thing that day. I’m usually only rinsing off after teaching in the hot yoga room. Monday through Friday it’s a miracle if I even wash my hair these days. Once a week or so I try to take a long, drawn-out shower. The kind when you exfoliate every square inch of your body (I love this scrub from Soap & Glory) and let your thoughts wander.
However, you don’t have to stop there. If you have the time, then go a little further. After the shower, you take some time out to get into a soothing skincare routine. Treating your body to some essential oils, masks, or serums from brands like JoyViva could give you the lift you need to shake off the tension of the week. Top it off with some sunscreen and you would feel ready to take on the world anew.
Cook for yourself in an un-rushed manner
Cooking all my Sunbasket meals last week reminded me that I don’t hate cooking. I just don’t love the stress that I sometimes associate with cooking. Contrary to my own previous belief, I actually really enjoy cooking lunch for myself most days. It’s time that I spend away from my computer. Maybe I’ll listen to a podcast. Maybe I’ll just get lost in my thoughts. Most afternoons I’m not rushed to cook — I generally teach in the morning and late afternoon/evening so the middle of the day is my chill time. I find there’s something oddly soothing about doing something with your hands.
I’m not always great about cooking for myself, usually, I get takeout for dinner most evenings before I rush off to teach some yoga. But when I can cook and I’m not rushed, I find it to be really rejuvenating. Plus in the end, you end up with something that’s literally nourishing your body.
Go for a walk
I think I mention going for a walk as a solution to all ailments and struggles in every blog post I write. But I really really do love walking — it’s a big part of my self-care routine.
Most afternoons I try to get outside and walk for 45 or so minutes, depending on how much time I have. I know this isn’t super realistic for most people. I certainly wasn’t allowed to take a long ass walk in the middle of the day at my previous 9-5 jobs. But do what you can get outside. Maybe it’s getting off the subway a stop early on your way home so you can walk a bit more. Sometimes even just going outside to get coffee or take a walk around the corner in the middle of the day helps.
It can make SUCH a difference and you’ll come back refreshed and recharged
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Your turn: Do you have your own self-care rituals? What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?
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