When life gets busy, it’s hard to find time for practical self care, but it is SO important that you squeeze in a little each day. A couple of hours to yourself is ideal, but sometimes you can only squeeze in 15 minutes at a time. That’s okay! A little time is better than no time at all, and you must make yourself a priority. You can’t give your all to your kids, your partner, your job, etc. if you are not making YOU a priority.
I learned the hard way how important self-care is. I let myself become overwhelmingly burnt out and still refused to do anything about it. The emotional burn-out made me feel grumpy, emotional, short-tempered, and like I couldn’t even accomplish the smallest tasks. Still, I was piling more and more stuff onto my already full plate and couldn’t keep up. I felt like I had no time for myself so I just ignored the need to relax and enjoy ME. It got to the point where I just couldn’t do it anymore.
Finally, I caved and asked my husband to take the kids somewhere for a couple of hours so I could have a break. It was just what I needed. By the time they got home, I was happy to see them and much more rejuvenated. Now I make sure that self care and me-time are a normal part of my life.
Before You Begin Practical Self Care
If you don’t have the option of asking your partner to take the kids, ask a family member or a close friend. If those aren’t options, take the kids to the park all day and wear them out so that they will go to bed quickly and easily. Ignore your usual chores or nightly routine for one night and get that practical self care and me-time you need. You have got to take care of yourself!
Before you start your self-care time, turn your phone off. Don’t let anyone or anything interfere with your time. If you need to leave it on, turn the volume up and leave it across the room or in another room where you will hear it but won’t be so tempted to scroll through social media.
***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***
Ideas For Practical Self Care and Me Time
1. Take a Bath and Pamper Yourself
Run a hot bath, use a bath bomb, light some candles, turn on music, and pour a glass of wine. Put on a face mask, exfoliate, and read a book while you relax. Afterward, paint your fingernails and toenails. By the time you’re done, you will feel so good and relaxed.
2. Catch Up On a Favorite TV Show
Take some time to binge-watch your favorite TV show or something you’ve been wanting to try out. Make sure you have some yummy snacks and comfy clothes.
3. Stick to Your Skincare Routine
Finding a skincare routine that works for you and makes you feel good is essential. By ensuring you take care of your skin each day, you will experience a boost of happiness each time you do it. Focus on preventing blemishes, eliminating acne scars, and keeping your skin healthy.
4. Spend Time Outside
Garden, go for a walk, lay out in the sun, read a book outside, watch the sunrise or sunset, or simply sit outside and enjoy the breeze. It doesn’t matter what you decide to do out there, just get outside and breathe in the fresh air.
5. Try Yoga to Enhance Practical Self Care
Find a beginner’s video on YouTube or Amazon and give yoga a shot. You could even try to find a beginners class near you, but for me, I have to do yoga when the kids are in bed so *this video* is where it’s at for me.
6. Write in a Journal
Make time every day to write. Write about your day, your feelings, what you’re grateful for, or anything else that comes to mind. The point is to get your thoughts out on paper no matter what they are. You can find super cute journals on Amazon or you can check out your local Target.
7. Cook or Bake While Focusing on Practical Self Care
Take time to make your favorite recipes, or try something completely new. For practical self-care, do your cooking and baking alone instead of with your kids. You can cook with them later, but right now, focus on enjoying your time alone.
8. Relax, Stretch, Take a Nap
Sometimes the best type of practical self care is to spend time relaxing and stretching your body. If you get so relaxed that you feel like taking a nap, do it!
9. Take Yourself On a Date
Do whatever makes YOU happy. Since you’re the only one on the date, you don’t have to worry about anyone else. You can go to a movie, eat at your favorite restaurant, or have a picnic. Make sure it’s a relaxing date!
10. Enjoy Coffee in Peace
For me, this means waking up before my kids and curling up with a hot cup of coffee while I read a book or watch something on TV. Sometimes I sit on our patio and enjoy the cool morning alone.
11. Enjoy the Water
Go to a nearby lake, river, or ocean and just relax. Don’t do anything while you’re there… just be. Spend time meditating or focusing on your breathing.
12. Read a Book for Practical Self Care
Curl up with your favorite blanket or find a relaxing spot outside to read a book. Choose one that helps you relax rather than something that makes you feel anxious or sad.
13. Read a Magazine While Enjoying Your Favorite Beverage
Magazines aren’t as popular as they used to be, but I love to spend time reading them and looking at the pages. I love the Magnolia Journal or Good Housekeeping. There are other magazines that I enjoy, both of those are the ones I regularly have and look forward to.
Then, choose your favorite beverage to enjoy while you browse the magazine. For me, it’s wine, of course.
14. Make a List of Your Goals and Create Vision Boards
Make a list of your short-term or long-term goals. Your goals could be oriented around your career, family, personal life, or home. Whatever it is that will make your life better, begin determining your goals in that area.
Once you have a good idea of your goals, create a vision board. Vision boards will help you remember what you are working toward, giving you inspiration and motivation moving forward.
15. Do Your Make-up
I’m a mom of five kids, so I rarely have time to do a full make-up routine. My daily routine consists of throwing on some mascara in the car when we arrive wherever we are going. I always enjoy having the chance to take my time and do concealer, foundation, powder, eyeshadow, etc. It is one of my favorite “me time” activities.
16. Do Your Hair for Practical Self Care
When I say do your hair, I don’t mean wash and condition it. I mean that you should take your time and do something super cute that you don’t always have the time to do. Or, you can turn it into a challenge and see what you can come up with within 15 minutes or another set timeframe. You never know, you might find your new favorite hairstyle. Pinterest has a TON of ideas to get you started.
17. Choose New Recipes You Want to Shop For
Look through cookbooks or browse Pinterest for a few new meals to try. Make a list and shop for the ingredients on your next shopping trip.
18. Start Planning For the Next Holiday
When you are excited about an event, the planning process will often prolong the joy you feel. Plan the perfect holiday and start getting things ready, even if the event is still a few months away. I always start with a brain dump because it’s easy to get my first thoughts in order that way.
19. Practice Photography
Take your camera or smartphone and go take photos somewhere. Have a little photoshoot of whatever you want to capture. Practice your camera skills and experiment a little so you can unwind and enhance your skill while having fun.
Practical Self Care
Remember, you must take care of yourself to give your all to anything else in your life. Even if you can only take 15 minutes to yourself, squeeze in something that you enjoy.
Leave a comment and let us know how you fit practical self care and me-time into your life!
