10 Self Care Practices to Start Today

Self care practices have many benefits, including reduced stress and higher self esteem. Anyone can benefit from a little self care. Here are 10 ways you can practice self care today:

Soak Yourself

Once a week, or more, give yourself a long bubble bath. Fill the bath with Epsom salts and your favorite bubble bath. Epsom salts help soothe tired muscles and detox your body. A warm vanilla or lavender scented bubble bath can promote relaxation. Light some candles and play soft music. Before you know it, the worries of the day are soaked away.

Yoga

A little time spent for yourself in the morning can change your entire day. I suggest doing sun salutations right after you wake up. You can even stay in your pjs. The sun salutation is very simple and perfect for all experience levels. There are many easy to follow videos available on YouTube. I suggest doing it once in each direction. This will only take a few minutes and your whole body will be warmed up. It is amazing how a tiny bit of stretching can help your whole day.

Get a Manicure or Pedicure

Get a manicure or pedicure or both. An often neglected part of my body are my hands and feet, which is funny since they probably work the hardest. There is something so satisfying about having soft hands and feet. Plus, having someone massage your feet and scrub off those calluses is super relaxing. If you prefer, you can opt for the at home pedicure. Fill a bucket with warm water and Epsom salts then stick your feet in. You can use a pumice stone to smooth out rough soles.

Read

Reading is a great leisure activity. It is relaxing and stimulates your mind. If you take an hour and get lost in another world, your whole outlook could change. I suggest brewing your favorite warm beverage, caffeine free, snuggling up on the couch, and cracking open a good book. For added ambiance, light a candle in your favorite scent.

Walk

Walking is a great and easy form of exercise. Even a short stroll can be enough to change your mood. Pick a new place to walk every week and really get to know your area. Going through a park or nature trail can relax a busy mind. If you are able to get away from your city, enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. Breathe in the fresh air and love yourself.

Give Yourself a Spa Facial

Give yourself an at-home facial. Start by cleansing your face. Then get your scrub on and exfoliate your skin. PRO TIP: Blast your favorite tunes and dance around a bit. The next step is to get a pot of hot water to steam your face. If you would like, add some essential oils to the water. To get the best steam, place a towel over your head and the pot of water. Lean over the water and allow yourself to be steamed for at least 10 minutes. Pat dry and apply a detoxing mask. Rinse off residue and use a toner. The final step is to apply a moisturizer. Your skin will feel amazing after this!

Journal

Start a journal. Writing down your thoughts can help organize them. This will assist you in being more productive once you get back to life. A really cathartic experience is to write about subjects that really bother you. Doing this can help you to let go and forgive.

Laugh

Have a good laugh. Do whatever you can to get a chuckle. Watch funny movies or YouTube videos. Animal videos always get me. It is stunning how fast your outlook can change after a good laugh. A healthy sense of humor makes life worth living, in my opinion.

Clean Your Bedroom

Clean or organize your room. Your space can greatly impact your mood; probably more than you may think. Take the extra time to make your bed in the morning. Make an effort to make your bed inviting and relaxing. I love extra pillows and fluffy blankets. A cozy space is relaxing and can help you get a better sleep. Pick everything up off the floor and give it a designated place. This will make everything easy to find, saving you time and stress.

Meditate

Take some time to meditate and focus on breathing. Even if you are only able to get a minute, you can experience benefits. Take long deep breaths. Try breathing in through your nose for 8 seconds. Then exhale from your mouth for around 8 seconds. This practice can help you be mindful of your breath and thoughts. Being completely present can help you be more patient and let go. So much of our stress comes from holding on to anger or worry. Do yourself a huge favor, breathe it away.