How to Start a Daily Self-Care Routine

Self-care tends to fall pretty low on the priority lists -- even for those of us who try to make it a priority. Other stuff comes up, and taking care of ourselves is the last thing we have time for. The thing is, just like the flight attendants tell you to put your mask on before your children's masks in case of an emergency, you also need to take care of yourself first, or what is left of you for others? If you are not well, how will you take care of all of your responsibilities? And self-care is all about wellness -- mental and physical.

Make self-care a routine. Put it on your calendar so that it is something you think of as important. Set reminders so that you can decide ahead of time which type of self-care is best fitting that moment in your life. There are so many types of self-care, from something as simple as getting some quiet alone time to getting your butt to the gym for a good sweat.

Daily self-care doesn't require that you always have an hour or more to dedicate to caring for YOU, but you definitely want to give yourself a good ten or fifteen minutes that is just about things that help you relax and feel good about yourself. Not sure what to do? Here are some good places to start.

Take some time out to meditate

Meditation is an easy one to fit into each day. You could get up a few minutes early or head to bed a few minutes early and use that time to quiet your mind and meditate. Pick a relaxing guided meditation on YouTube to help you fall asleep faster or a motivational one in the morning to help start your day on a positive note.

There are a bazillion health benefits that come with regular meditation. Just to name a few off the top of my head, it helps lower blood pressure and it can greatly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

All you need for a good meditation is a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. Get YouTube on your phone if you don't already have it. There are also apps out there for all the mobile phone platforms that can help remind you to take time for meditation.

Embrace the power of aromatherapy

When many of us think of self-care, long baths and facials may come to mind. One thing you can combine with these luxuries, or use on its own, is aromatherapy. If you need relaxation, use scents that relax. If you need motivation, use invigorating scents.

If you don't have time for a full soak in the bath, but you're suffering from sore and tired feet ... take a foot bath. Add some lavender in, just like you would for a relaxing soak in the tub. Your morning facial routine could include a face wash with a citrusy scent that invigorates you and wakes you up.

Some other relaxing scents include sage, vanilla, and chamomile. Some other invigorating scents include peppermint and eucalyptus. You can even enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy by indulging in some herbal teas.

Work on your physical health

Sitting stagnant all the time is extremely bad for your health. Everyone needs physical activity -- but you don't have to overdo it. You can start by simply going for a half-mile walk every day, or perhaps doing some light yoga. You don't even have to have a gym membership -- just get up and do something that gets your body moving.

Yoga is like a moving meditation. It's fairly easy to do if you're not strict with yourself. You can find starter yoga poses on YouTube the same as you can find stuff for experts. There's even chair yoga! Yoga helps strengthen your muscles, and it can even make you taller. It's great if you have balance issues because it can help with that. There are yoga poses for every part of your body that can help with different ailments, from back pain to tummy troubles.

Walking and yoga are both excellent ways to warm your body up for deeper workouts as well. If you want to start a running routine, start lifting weights, or start going to the gym regularly, starting small at home will help you build your stamina.

Watch what you put in your body

The easiest way to love your body and practice good self-care is to watch what you're putting IN your body. If you're a smoker, make it a plan to quit. If you have a sweet tooth, find healthier sweets to indulge in. Yes, we know it's easier said than done, but you'll live longer (perhaps) and your body will be happier for it.

Even if you start by making one meal choice a day that is on the healthier side of things -- like having a salad for lunch each day. When you want sugar, eat some berries. When you're carving something crunchy, have an apple or some carrots. When you're craving something salty, have a pickle.

Also, consider your liquid intake. Opt for water or unsweetened tea in place of sugary drinks. If you imbibe in alcoholic drinks, stick to a small amount, like one glass of wine.