Taking care of ourselves is essential for our mental and physical well-being through all stages of life. But what does it mean to create a self-care routine that works for your mind, body, and spirit? The trick is – our self care routines should be as diverse as we are!
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No one person is exactly the same. We all have different wants, needs, jobs, schedules, passions and more. Our self-care routine should reflect that diversity! What works for one person might not be best for another, so it is important to analyze our lives by paying attention to our needs, and then determine how we can best benefit ourselves. There is no one way to self-care, it is a spectrum that we can all build around our busy lives!
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is best defined as “Something we deliberately do, or not do, with our own well-being in mind,” according to Dr. Matthew Sacco of the Cleveland Clinic. He believes that this can be “anything that promotes emotional, physical, psychological, or spiritual well-being.” This means self care can be jogging after work, but it can also look like swapping your evening wine for a hot cup of tea.
A self-care routine is a ritual that you regularly engage to generate positive feelings in your life. Assessing your schedule to determine what self-care looks like for you will create the greatest chance of sticking to your wellness goals. After all, a self-care routine is meant to add some TLC into your life, not make it harder!
Why is Self-Care Important?
Amongst the hustle and bustle, our wellness can often become last on our never-ending list of things to-do. If our self-care routine becomes non-existent, we might see some negative effects on our bodies.
Self-care promotes healthy well-being by:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improving immune system
- Preventing brain fog or low concentration
- Boosting happiness
- Improving sleep
Creating a Great Self-Care Routine
To create a self-care routine that you enjoy and can stick to long-term, you’ll need to look at the personal details of your life and tailor your schedule to your needs. If you have no idea where to start, consider these points to begin.
Make a list of your favorite parts of the day.
Write down activities during your day that you love most. If you look forward to eating your favorite meal-prepped lunch each day, add it to your favorites list! Perhaps you can’t wait for an evening phone conversation with your mom, family members, or friends after dinner. Your morning cup of coffee (or alternative) may pump you up for work. Jot those down!
Once you have a list of eight to ten favorites written down, think about how you can create a routine around these happiness points throughout the day. Start with your favorite coffee, move onto your favorite lunch, then call your mom after dinner. This is a solid self-care routine as-is!
Take it even further by integrating things you’d like to try. Leave space on your list for adding in a new workout exercise, or reading a new book here and there. Having a set routine is comfortable, but don’t fall into the trap of rigidity. Be open!
Connect with God and build a closer relationship.
This is an important factor that many people don’t consider when it comes to self-care. Our souls/spirit need to be rejuvenated and refreshed just as much as our bodies. Mind, body, + spirit are all inter-connected, therefore, spending time to connect with God is important through the reading of His Word, prayer, fasting, quiet moments in His presence, journaling to Him, worship music, etc.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:
- “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”
- “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
- “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”
This is where we find peace and rest in Him, which adds great value to our self-care routine.
Define what healthy habits mean to you.
Not everyone is into lifting weights or eating completely clean. And that’s okay! Healthy habits can mean anything from getting enough protein to indulging in your favorite candy every now and then.
You don’t have to be ultra active or even belong to a gym to engage in healthy movement. A simple morning stretch or walk around the block is the perfect way to move, if that’s what works for you! The more intensity you can handle, the more you can add to your self-care routine. Maybe even adding essential oils to your routine throughout the day, whether using a diffuser or simply inhaling ones that reduce stress, bring calm, etc.
Perhaps healthy habits look like skincare routines or spa treatments to you. Indulge in a hydrating facial mask or schedule a monthly massage to unwind! Even a midday nap can do wonders!
Leave dedicated time for doing nothing.
While it may seem counterintuitive to schedule time for nothing, it is actually very beneficial! Your block of “nothing” time is actually time dedicated to you – 100%! This means you can play your favorite video game with no distractions, or take a much-needed nap, or cozy up by the fireplace. Whatever you choose to do is up to you at the moment! This is time for you to decompress from all other scheduled activities and prioritize the most important person in your life – you.
Your Self-Care Routine is Complete – Now What?
Once you have a self-care routine that works for your life, it is time to practice it. This just happens to be the most exciting part of having a wellness schedule! You get to now care for yourself as you would a loved one, and that is the main goal! After all, self-care is practicing self-love.
Here are some tips for keeping your routine on track.
Practice even when it’s hard.
Knowing that your self-care routine is helping you stay mentally and physically well is often enough to keep you going. Some days, this might not be the case. Don’t let what works for you become less of a priority, even when you are in a positive mental space. That positivity is partially coming from the routine you’ve built, and consistency is the trick!
Give yourself grace.
When you stray from your self-care routine, do not turn to negative self-talk. It is okay to take breaks and change up your schedule when needed. You know your body best, so read it and listen! Know that we cannot be perfect with our schedules every single day and perfection is unattainable. God gives us grace, so let’s also give ourselves grace in times of need.
Creating a great self-care routine is essential for our mental and physical well-being. It allows us to feel even more joy by integrating small things into our day that we love. Seek within to determine what self-care looks like for you to create the greatest chance of sticking to your wellness goals. Find exactly the type of self-love you need and create a routine that amplifies your happiness today!
