Self-Care Isn't Selfish

The more we practice self-care, the more confident, creative, kind, loving and grounded we are. When we take care of ourselves first, we are also more ready to show up for the world around, build stronger relationships, communicate more effectively and support others.

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or lavish. The key is to find what works for you personally in order to create a lasting impact. Find balance by letting go of the activities that drain you in your off-time, and fill that space instead with things that help replenish your energy. Remember, self-care is more than just a quick fix, it’s a journey towards your happier, relaxed and balanced self.

Here are 15 simple self-care tips that go beyond a massage or face mask (though those can definitely help too). They’re easy to fit into your busy schedule but powerful enough to have an amazing positive impact on your overall well being.

1. Practice gratitude - take a moment each day to think of 3 - 5 things you are grateful for. The appreciation for what you already have will help to keep you in the present moment - there is no room for dwelling in the past or obsessing about the future. By choosing to see the goodness you'll also naturally attract more of it and begin to cultivate a sense of abundance in your life.

2. Focus on your breath - probably the most simple yet the most powerful technique to instantly relieve stress and ground down. Pause during the day and take 5 - 10 conscious deep breaths all the way into your belly to re-center. If you like, try placing one hand onto your belly and the other onto your heart. When you breathe deeply, your body sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.

3. Create a morning routine - stop hitting the snooze button and give yourself enough time so you don’t have to rush first thing in the morning. Meditation, yoga or workout, long shower, dry brushing, gratitude practice, cup of coffee or nourishing breakfast. You don’t have to do it all. Choose a few that resonate with YOU and help you get ready for the day ahead.

4. Get a good night sleep - getting enough good quality sleep is vitally important to your health. Similar to the morning routine, choose a few activities that help YOU unwind after a long day. You can try meditation, yoga nidra, self massage with body oils, relaxing music, turning off your phone or reading a book. The key is to relax your body and mind in order to ease into a deep and restful sleep.

5. Move your body - moving for 30 minutes each day is better than a 2 hour gym session twice a week. Make a daily physical activity your non-negotiable for a happy body and mind. See if you can also include a variety of movement into your routine - stretching and walking are just as important as intense cardio.

6. Stay hydrated - every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Water helps cleanse your body by getting rid of toxins, keeps your skin supple and glowing, your memory sharp, your mood stable and your motivation high. Enough reasons to have your glass or water bottle always full and on hand.

7. Get creative - when the mind focuses on a creative task, worry and stressful thoughts tend to slow down. As the creative mind ‘plays,’ feel-good neurochemicals such as serotonin activate positive feelings. Whether you’re colouring, crafting, trying a new recipe or decorating your room, you’re cultivating a sense of happiness and serenity.

8. Meditate - close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, and begin to release any tension that your body is holding onto. If your mind begins to wander, don’t judge yourself. Simply bring yourself back to the awareness of your breath. Meditation is a powerful tool to calm the part of the brain responsible for the fight or flight response. You can set your phone on a timer or use one of the many free meditations apps.

9. Get outside - spending time outside can help you reduce stress, lower your blood pressure, and be more mindful. By getting outside you are instantly unplugging and reconnecting with nature and ultimately yourself. Go for a walk every day, even if it’s just around your block.

10. Keep your place tidy - when the space around you is cluttered, your mind feels messy and your body gets subconsciously tense. By keeping your place tidy, you’ll be more focused, productive, creative and relaxed. Take some time to clean up after yourself regularly - wash your dishes, put away your clothes and keep your surfaces clean and without clutter.

11. Nourish your body with healthy food - what you eat matters! I know you’re busy and I know it can be convenient and easy to grab something on the go between meetings. But with a little bit of planning ahead you can stock your fridge and cook more nourishing meals at home. Focus on whole foods, fruits and veggies, whole grains and beans, nuts and seeds - the more plants the better.

12. Notice your self-talk - become aware of your thoughts and inner dialogue during the day. How do you talk to yourself when looking into the mirror, putting on/taking off your clothes, working out, walking around, taking your pic/seeing a pic of you or scrolling through social media. Recognizing the pattern is the first step to changing it. We all can do with more self-compassion and self-appreciation. I find journaling really helpful for connecting with my thoughts and feelings.

13. Unplug for a moment - or for an entire evening or even a day. Turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode before bed. You can also try turning off notifications so you’re not being constantly bombarded by news. Create healthy boundaries by honouring time for yourself. Let go of the pressure to be available or online 24/7.

14. Say “no” - often our stress is caused by adding more things to our already full plate. We say “yes” to every task, new project, activity or ask for help. Remember, you don’t have to take on and do everything. Reduce your workload, prioritize your to-do list and start to delegate. Saying “no” to things that drain your energy create spaces for things that replenish it.

15. Enjoy a day without a plan - and simply go with a flow of the day and your mood. We live in a world where most of our time is planned out and structured, even our time off. As much as I love routine and some form of a schedule to keep me grounded, I also enjoy not having a plan at all, especially on a day off.