If you don’t already have one, you need to create a daily self-care routine. Here are simple tips to develop your own self-care plan and healthy habits.
Having a self-care plan is an important part of being healthy and happy. It’s easy to get caught up in taking care of others while neglecting yourself. I know this first-hand.
In 2017, my mother had a stroke. After that, I stopped doing all of my daily routine activities while I struggled to incorporate suddenly having to take care of her into my life. I wasn’t exercising, eating right and generally just not taking care of myself because I was so focused on her needs.
Eventually, my body started to rebel and a doctor’s visit set me straight. I needed to look after myself or I wouldn’t be able to take care of her.
Even though I knew this long before it started to take a physical toll, it was hard to figure out how to accomplish it. I knew I had to develop a new daily self-care routine that gave my mother what she needed while allowing me some down time.
And so, I set about the task of rebuilding new self-care strategies for myself. It wasn’t easy and it’s still not perfect but it’s what I have for now.
So, based on what I learned, here are five realistic tips for developing a new self-care routine.
How To Develop A New Self-Care Routine
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1. Create A Self-Care Activities List
Write down a list of self-care activities that will nourish not only your body, but your mind and spirit, as well. In other words, things you enjoy. When you want to relax, just pick from your list.
You may decide to create a productive morning routine to start each day off on the right foot and an evening self-care routine that will wind you down before bed. It’s totally up to you.
Here are a few examples of self-care activities for you:
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- Get or give yourself a pedicure/ manicure/ facial
- Get a massage
- Read or listen to audio books (Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks
)
- Meditate
- Color (Yes, I said color!)
- Take a bubble bath
- Exercise
- Go for a walk
- Practice a hobby
- Listen to music
- Watch a movie
- Sleep
)
2. Take Small Steps
When you first start out with your new self-care routine, take baby steps. Trying to change up your day all at once can lead to you feeling off-balanced and overwhelmed.
You may be tempted to cram it all in but you’ll be better off just picking one or two things you really want to get done. Eventually, you’ll get into the habit of doing those activities frequently. When this happens, add some more to your list.
3. Schedule It
After you decide what activities you want to do, schedule them on your calendar. Whether you prefer a physical planner or you’re digital girl like me, it’s a good idea to pencil in your self-care activities. This way they’ll actually get done.
It can be so easy to forget or neglect to do things even if they’re activities you want to do. Once it’s on your schedule, you’ll be less likely to ignore them.
4. Eliminate Distractions
Remove all distractions while you’re taking time out for yourself and just focus on the task at hand. If you find your mind wandering to thoughts that worry or stress you, bring your mind back to the present. For the time being, ignore money problems, issues you may have at work and the pile of laundry sitting in the hamper.
5. Enjoy Your New Routine
Remember when I said your self-care routine is all about keeping your mind, body and spirit healthy and happy? So, enjoy it!
Don’t get so caught up in following your daily self-care checklist to the letter that it makes you feel guilty. If you scheduled something but don’t feel like going through with it, then so be it. This is your time. Do what makes you feel good.
I can’t stress the importance of self-care enough. Having gone through that period of time where I let this critical part of my day go, I know how burnt out you can feel after a while.
You may worry that blocking off time for yourself may seem selfish when you have a family to take care of but your kids, significant other and you deserve better. Make time to relax so you can give them a better version of you.
Weekly and Daily To Do List Printables
If you need help planning out your days and incorporating routines into your schedule, download the Weekly and Daily To Do List Bundle. For just $5 you can start organizing your life and carving out time for yourself.
There are two printables in this bundle:
The Weekly To Do List printable has space to do a weekly brain dump. This is where you get all of the tasks you need, or want, to get done out of your head and onto paper. It’s a very freeing experience. Set your priorities for the week and then, begin to map out what each day will look like.
Use the Daily To Do List printable to plan out your schedule. Write down your daily priorities, create a menu plan to simplify meals and make note of what you’re grateful for that day. Practicing gratitude can be a huge help when you’re not having a good day. It’s always nice to take a step back and realize you do have something to be happy about no matter how small it is!
Click the button below to download your copy of the Weekly and Daily To Do List Bundle.
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