I think almost everyone can name a time they didn’t feel like themselves. Whether you’re a new parent, working long hours, dealing with relationship stress or some combination of all the above, it’s all too easy to reach a breaking point. But as the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”—that is, you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. I loved Liz’s post on Wednesday about the importance of self-love during motherhood. I’m not a mom yet, but making time for myself is certainly a lesson I’ve learned the hard way—when you’re starting to feel run-down, it’s incredibly important (and healthy!) to put yourself first. Here are a few of my favorite, simple ways to emphasize self-care.
- Light your favorite candle
- Go for a long walk (and leave your phone at home)
- Try a new workout class
- Phone a friend
- Make a list of ten good things that have happened lately
- Plan a weekend of no plans (my fave)
- Treat yourself to something small—like a new succulent, face mask, or essential oil
- Cook a new, healthy recipe
- And/or get doughnuts
- Put on your favorite playlist (always the Avett Brothers, for me)
- Declutter: pick out three things to get rid of or donate
- Drink a glass of water
- Spend five minutes foam-rolling (I like to follow this routine)
- Go to bed early (on fresh sheets!)
- Explore a new neighborhood
- Bring a book to a coffee shop
- Watch an episode of your favorite show
What are some of your favorite methods of self-care? Any go-to activities when you’re having a bad day? Let us know in the comments! We’re working on bringing lots more wellness-related content to the blog, so we’d love to know what other wellness content you’d like to see.
Have the best Saturday!
XO, Carolyn
){kind=link}