40+ Practical Self-Care Practices for Your Every Day
Meditating in Sedona, AZ
I’m going to take a moment to get very real and vulnerable. I have been out of my standard healthcare and self-care practices these past few weeks and it is really taking it’s toll on me.
A few weeks ago I was on vacation with my incredible family in Sedona, AZ. While vacation was most definitely splendid, it got out of my normal rhythms and practices I have in place every day to help me function as my best (or even simply a better) self.
We had so much fun, but that fun also included changing my sleep schedule, imbibing in cocktails and wine, eating more sugar (and just more) than I typically would, skipping a week of therapy, not getting in my normal workouts, living in shared spaces, not taking as much alone time as I normally would, etc.
Since getting back from our trip, I have been in an almost constant state of GO! I’ve been on the move and trying to simply keep up and catch up over the past few weeks. So, while I’ve been trying to get back on track with my normal health care and self-care routine, some of those practices have slipped!
All of the practices I’ve established at home as part of my every day, set me up to live an easier, healthier life. As I’m coming out of a couple very stressful and important weeks, I’m going to work very hard to return to my regular care routines. BOTH my normal healthcare and self-care routines.
Part of my regular healthcare routine is taking time to communicate with my partner over a nutritious meal.
First, have to come my standard healthcare practices. Those practices are a MUST. They are my have to’s. They are the things that help me function at what I like to consider a healthy baseline.
But…What does that look like and how is it different from self-care?
My Take: Self-care practices are the extra things you do for yourself to help you maintain and improve your overall self, headspace, energy. Things like meditating, journaling, dancing to your favorite music, spending time with a friend, enjoying a nature walk, etc, are what I would consider to be self-care practices.
When people tell me they are planning to get 8-hours of sleep or start working out as part of their “self-care” routine, I often have a good little giggle. Moving your body, feeding it, and sleeping enough are the base level needs that must be met in order to simply live.
Forget taking a peaceful bath if you aren’t sleeping enough at night. If you look at your life like that of maybe a video game character, every activity depletes your energy and health. If you aren’t sleeping enough at night or providing your body with proper nutrition, then you begin each day with a lower energy level. Taking a bath as self-care during your day, may provide a brief boost for your batteries, but if it’s also cutting into your health-care routine then you are creating an overall deficit.
Proper healthcare has to come first. Before we even consider self-care activities.
Getting outside, daily, is a must in my healthcare routine. Even if only for a few moments. I HAVE to breathe fresh air.
Now, I’m not saying don’t engage in self-care at all while you’re developing your new healthcare practices. Do the things that fuel you; but also, recognize that the thing that will make the biggest overall difference is attending to your overall physical health. How much better will that bath feel if you are properly rested? How much further can you go on your nature hike if you are engaging in regular exercise and proper nutrition practices? How much more peacefully can you meditate when you aren’t worried about your overall safety or well-being.
If you take a look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, so often, the practices we talk about as self-care fit in the lowest tiers of the pyramid. Is that where you want to be functioning? At your lowest level? You cannot sustainably reach a higher level of the pyramid until you have built a solid foundation.
This week, I’m making sure I get back to all of my standard/routine healthcare practices before anything else.
Going to the gym and seeing my acupuncture practitioner are both STANDARD parts of my healthcare routine.
My Standard Healthcare Routine Includes:
Getting 7-8 hours of sleep
Drinking a 1/2 gallon to gallon of water every day
Taking all of my medications and supplements
Going to the gym 3-4 days of the week
Getting outside daily
Taking a shower and putting on regular clothes
Cooking myself nutritious, low sugar meals
Going to therapy
Working with at least one of my bodywork practitioners (acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, TRE, and/or craniosacral)
Maintaining clear and consistent communication with my partner
Maintaining a clean home
Making my bed, daily
That may seem like a lot, but I also didn’t start with all of those things at the same. I started by simply drinking a 1/2 gallon of water each day. That’s it. Just one thing.
I made that a standard practice of mine. A habit and a routine that I stuck with every day, no matter what. Then I added making my bed, daily. That may seem like a silly healthcare practice, but it helps me start my day feeling fresh and ready while also allowing me to feel more comfortable and safe at night. Once those two habits were concrete, I got a pill organizer and started organizing my supplements on a weekly basis. This way, I never missed a dose AND always knew when I needed to call-in or order more :)
The more I’ve focused on my healthcare routine, the better I’ve felt. The better I’ve felt, the more I’ve wanted to engaged in other regular self-care activities that further fueled me, expanding my world and helping me to live my best life.
Sometimes, spending time alone at home with a good candle is the best form of self-care.
Some of the self-care practices I regularly engage in include:
Playing my piano for fun
Writing a song
Cooking something special or trying a new recipe
Planning an outing with friends
Going to my local Farmer’s Market
Going for a hike
Going dancing
Lighting a candle I love or filling my oil diffuser
Making Tea
Taking a bath
Engaging in special skin care routines
Getting a pedicure
Sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee and no electronics
Creating art
Taking a yoga class
Learning a new art-based skill
Trying a new restaurant or food
Going on a trip
Playing a video game
Binge watching a favorite show
Working in my garden or with my plants
Going shopping with no agenda
Spending time with my sister
Engaging my tarot practice
Reading
Journaling
Stretching
Creating or listening to a playlist of favorite songs
Listening to a new album
Going to a drive in the country
Singing at the top of your lungs
Swimming or being near water
Putting together a lego set *
Mediating
Taking a nap simply because I can AND NOT because I’m exhausted
Writing someone a letter
Cleaning out a part of my closet
Decorating for the season
Running
Making French press or pour over coffee instead of drip
Creating a photo album or going through old pictures
Getting a special coffee or snack from somewhere local
Putting my phone on DO NOT DISTURB
Talking to an old friend
Spending quality time with a loved one
Doing NOTHING
AND MORE
My recent self-care included putting together this lego set. *
What are some of your favorite self-care practices? What do you do for your daily health care practice?
Stay Well!
<3 Katey
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