This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
I’m going to tell you something that I know about you.
You are unique and beautiful and a powerful human being.
You work hard, achieve wonderful things, and you are loved by so many.
However, do you put yourself first?
Do you care for yourself?
We all have heard about the importance of self-care, but do you intentionally practice it often?
Self-care is not just face masks and going to get your nails done.
Self-care is the way you show love and appreciation for yourself.
It encompasses the whole self—mind, body, and soul.
It is important that you create a daily self-care routine for your mind, body, and soul.
It may look different for each person, so you can tailor your routine to you and what each area needs. It does not have to be complicated, and there are many ways that you can fit self-care into your busy life.
Here are some ways you can create a daily self-care routine for your mind, body, and soul.
Mind
Read an uplifting book
Reading is good for the mind, and reading something either educational or uplifting can be a form of self-care.
You can try to squeeze 10 pages of reading in during the morning or at night as a way to start or end your day.
Some great places to start are self-help books and reading positive affirmations.
Watch a Ted Talk or listen to podcasts
Yes you can multitask, even when you are practicing self-care!
You can watch a Ted Talk or listen to podcasts while you are eating, folding laundry, or during your commute each day. They can be educational or just plain inspirational, but either way, you are taking time for yourself.
An uplifting Ted Talk or inspirational podcast is much more beneficial than just binging Netflix, anyway.
Unplug before you start your day
Do you sometimes feel like your phone controls you?
Take some of that power back by unplugging before you start your day.
Try to not scroll through social media or check your texts for the first hour of your day.
This will help you start your day slowly and on your own terms.
It will also make your mornings more productive by not wasting time on your phone!
Do some jigsaw puzzles or play Sudoku
It is very important to always keep your mind active, and doing so can be a form of self-care.
Try to do something every day that challenges your mind, in a good way.
Jigsaw puzzles or Sudoku are fun ways to challenge the mind and keep it working!!
Body
Stretch every morning
No sore muscles here!!
Stretching when you get out of bed helps wake your body up after sleeping all night.
Your brain will get that signal that says “hey buddy, it’s time to get moving!!”.
Stretching also helps you increase your flexibility!
Treat your stretching time as sacred. Throw on some ocean sounds or calming music and relax!
Drink water throughout your day
You should be drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.
For example, if you were 120 pounds, you should be drinking at least 60 ounces of water each day.
Using a water bottle or a water tracker app to track how much you drink can help.
Drinking an adequate amount of water keeps your appetite in check and helps you feel more energized throughout your day. Not to mention, you need water to live!
Fuel your body with healthy, whole foods
After a bad day, pizza can be a form of self-care.
Let’s be honest.
Aside from those occasions, you should be choosing to eat fresh food that fuels your body.
Food is a way of honoring and loving your body, so think of vegetables as a gift.
Cooking can be therapeutic and fun!!
Move your body for at least 30 minutes a day
Just like food, exercise should be a way to celebrate your body and how strong it is.
Moving your body for 30 minutes a day is so important.
You may choose to go on a walk or run with your dog, go to the gym, or take a group fitness class.
Whatever you choose, it should be an exercise that you love and look forward to each day.
Additionally, you should complement consistent exercising with regular visits with a physician and a dentist. If you’re looking for a dentist right now, you can reach out to this one that offers crowns, teeth whitening, and dental implants in Avon Lake.
Soul
Have intentional quiet time each day
Life can be heavy with so much noise, that finding quiet time takes persistence and intentionality.
Each day, find time to breathe, meditate, and clear your head. If you are religious, this would be a good time to pray.
Incorporate something soothing like painting into your quiet time to relax and express yourself. The act of painting can serve as a meditative practice, allowing you to focus on the present moment and let go of stress.
This time is for you to find some peace.
Practice gratitude
It is so important to always find something to be grateful for.
Some find it helpful to constantly have a gratitude list going or write down five things you are grateful for each morning.
If you don’t keep a list, just notice and appreciate the things in your everyday life that you are grateful for.
Write in a journal
Journaling is a natural way to organize those millions of thoughts spinning around your head.
It can ground you and bring you peace.
You can choose to follow guided prompts or write freely. Either way, allow your pen to flow without judgment.
Talk to a loved one
Talking to our loved ones is so good for the soul.
Whether you grab lunch together, have a quick phone call, or send a voice memo to let them know you’re thinking of them, talking to loved ones is therapeutic.
It allows time for smiles and laughter, and they are always there if you are having a bad day.
Final Thoughts
Creating your self-care routine takes time and dedication, so give yourself some grace during this process.
Self-care takes practice, so perhaps you start working on self-care in one area, and you add on as you go.
Remember to eventually work up to different ways to support all three areas—mind, body, and soul.
Follow this list as a guide and continue perfecting your routine until it feels right for you!!
Michelle Gagliani
Owner & Founder
Michelle is the Founder of The Balanced CEO and a Holistic Nutritionist + Health Coach. She was born and raised in St.Thomas, U.S.V.I., and is currently living in Austin, TX. When she’s not running this blog and online business, she is cozied up at home watching TV, taking long walks in nature, or trying out new healthy recipes.
Unplugging before you start your day is a great way to nourish and feed your mind, body and soul. As I spend a lot of time on my computer and laptop, taking time out before I start my day would be great as a break.
Hey Ana! Yes definitely. I spend all day on my laptop and phone too. So, taking a break has helped me a lot and I hope it helps you too! ?