Thinking about Therapy?
Take our quiz to see therapists who are a good match for you.
Take our quiz to see therapists who are a good match for you.
Take better care of yourself is a statement I’ve said many times in therapy sessions and towards myself. We know it’s important but it’s still difficult to do. There is a cacophony of factors that stand in the way of self-care. We forget to practice self-care, we choose not to prioritize ourselves, and I argue that we also don’t know how.
What does self-care look like for you? Self-care is related to all parts of you. It’s your mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s what you need to be okay. It’s how you reenergize yourself. It’s what inspires you. It’s the things in your life that make it a life to look forward to.
Self-care is more than just spa days and a fresh nail set. Self-care is therapy for a lot of people (me included). It’s finally having the hard conversations with people you adore. Self-care is a day off with no plans, work, or cleaning to-do list. It’s Christmas flights to be with family at the expense of a few missed days of work. What self-care looks like for you is unique to you. But, if you still don’t know what you need, that’s great too because you get to have fun and explore new experiences. You get to figure out what self-care looks like for you because it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself.
Here are 10 self-care ideas to help get you started.
1. Professional massage: I recently received a 60-minute Swedish massage at Spa Reveil in Austin. The customer service was on point and my back is forever grateful for it.
2. Facial: I love a good facial. You can go to a spa, and you can also find an esthetician. If you’re in the Austin area, you can check out the Sunflower Experience.
3. Staycation: If you can’t think of the last time you had a day off & money is a little tight right now, this may be the perfect option for you. If you have kids, see if you can get a babysitter, maybe you can find a place for everyone to go to for a few hours or an entire day. You can bring the spa to you. Relax. No work. No cleaning. Rest, relax, and fill your time with things that help you to do just that.
4. Girl’s night out: A night out doesn’t always have to include drinks. It can be a Zumba class, hiking (a day out), or just catching up at a friend’s house. But it can also be going to eat and drink. However, be mindful if drinking is to enjoy the drink and time with your friends or if it’s a way to avoid conversations and problems you need to address.
5. A safe place to cry: Everyone needs an emotionally safe place to bawl their eyes out. A place to cry, be vulnerable, not be judged, and just not be okay.
6. Meditation: An article on NIH describes meditation as, “a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration and are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being.” There are numerous types of meditation, and it may take a lot of practice and exploration to find a good fit for you. Meditation may help you calm down your nervous system, refocus, slow down, and practice breathing techniques. Meditation may be difficult for individuals who struggle with intrusive thoughts or who are conditioned to constant stimulation to cope with life stresses. If this is the case for you, it may be best to seek professional mental health services before trying meditation on your own.
7. Journaling: Process through your thoughts, emotions, day, events, fears, and whatever is on your mind. You deserve space to think through and feel whatever is going on with you
8. Reading: If you’re into fictional books, reading can be a great way to have a healthy escape from life. It can also provide inspiration for projects or ideas you’re working on. Also, I’m including audiobooks under the reading category. People love a good story and getting engrossed in a good story has the potential to reward you with inspiration and motivation. The topics can range from romance to murder mystery. Self-care is not just about the needs but the things that help you enjoy your life. I believe the more you engage in activities you enjoy, the more capacity you have to manage the stressful areas of your life.
9. Physical activity: You can play a sport, even as a non-professional adult. You can walk, go to the gym, or take dancing classes. You can learn to salsa, pole dance, twerk, or line dance. What do you like to do or what has piqued your interest in trying?
10. Personal Interests: What is something you’ve always wanted to try but were too scared or embarrassed to do? You don’t have to be a professional or naturally talented at something to do it. You can engage in personal interests just for the sake of enjoyment. You may want to learn to crochet or act or code. Everything you do does not have to be tied to perfection or how much money you can make from it. There is value in time spent doing things that put a smile on your face.
These are only a few ideas to get you started. The point is that your mental health is important. The better you take care of yourself, the better you are able to take care of the people who are important to you.
For more blog posts, visit www.whitneybtherapy.com
