9 Simple Self-Care Tips to Feel Refreshed and Recharged
It's the beginning of the year and we’ve all hit the ground running with our lists of goals and resolutions. In the past, I’ve been known to make to-do lists of tasks that keep me on track. But by the time February rolls around, it’s easy to already feel a little defeated.
None of that this year! It’s 2023 and we’re living through a pandemic that just keeps going. Has there ever been a time when it’s more important to show ourselves some extra love and self-care? I think not. But beyond eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising, and perhaps having regular sessions with a therapist or practicing mindfulness, how can we practice self-care? Read on to see what this typical stressed-out, overworked millennial thinks about taking a beat.
Make a chill playlist for downtime
Just got home from work after a stressful day? Had a fight with your honey? Time for that zen playlist! For those with limited time, play any curated playlist or dedicated station on the music service of your choice. Alex has recently been into the Hawaiian Station on Apple Music (as crazy as it can make me at times 😅). Or, if you’re feeling creative, build a playlist yourself. Some of my favorite go-to ideas for playlists include:
Songs that bring you back to a specific time and place (my lists include lots of music we listened to while in Greece)
Songs from shows or movies you love
Songs from different eras you find fun (The Red Hot Chili Peppers will always remind me of middle school and being driven to school by my older brother)
Pair listening to your new playlist with a favorite hobby to really feel those cortisol levels drop!
2. Make a budget
We know this doesn't sound very relaxing, but hear us out. Creating and sticking to a budget will help free your mind of stress around finances. Nothing makes me more unhinged than health-related expenses (The United States has some serious work to do when it comes to taking care of humankind), but having a savings goal to hit in our “Medical Expenses” fund each month gives me a tiny slice of peace and helps me sleep soundly at night.
Alex and I use YNAB, which admittedly has a steep learning curve, but once you get into the groove, you never look back (or actually you do, but only to sigh and think about how much money you would have saved had you started sooner).
There’s also Mint and Simplifi and probably a dozen others! Imagine never having to worry about overdrawn accounts again.
3. Wake up early and take your sweet time getting ready
Who wants to feel rushed in the morning? No one. Even if you enjoy hitting snooze a few times, everyone knows it feels better to mosey about, drink a hot beverage, and enjoy time with loved ones or a quiet moment to thumb through the paper.
Waking up early is great for physical and mental well-being and helps to set a positive tone for the day. Early risers tend to be more proactive and productive, as they have the chance to tackle tasks before the distractions of the day set in. What will you do with just 20 or 30 minutes extra in the AM? You could…
Exercise or go for a walk to boost energy levels and improve overall health
Meditate or practice mindfulness to calm the mind and reduce stress
Plan and prioritize your day or reflect on personal goals to make progress on them
Read or learn something new to boost self-confidence
Prepare a healthy breakfast to start the day off on the right foot
Engage in a hobby or creative pursuit to express your passions and relax
Connect with loved ones through a phone call or video chat to strengthen relationships
Alex and I enjoy sharing in a cup of tea before each heading to work.
4. Set aside days to do nothing
Remember what it was like to be a kid on a Saturday morning? Literally no responsibility. You woke up on your own time, indulged in some horrible-for-you sugary breakfast cereal, and sat your butt on the couch for some mind-numbing cartoons. Ahhhhhhh, yes. ‘Twas the life. Here’s a secret: you can actually do this as an adult, too. But it takes some determination: don’t let guilt or normal, day-to-day priorities get in your way.
Taking time to simply relax and disengage from the constant stimulation of modern life can reduce stress and improve mood. It can also give the brain a break, allowing for improved cognitive function and increased creativity. Engaging in leisure activities such as reading, listening to music, or simply lying in bed can help re-energize and restore mental and physical energy. So set a date every couple of weeks to take a step back and focus on your own needs and wants. By taking time to do nothing, you can improve your overall well-being, increase happiness, and lead a more fulfilling life.
5. Hang out with a friend
Ever since Covid hit 3 years ago, socializing has been different. We’re used to hunkering down at home and spending all our time with those we live with. But engaging with people you love outside your bubble is vitally important and increases your sense of belonging and connectedness. Talking and sharing experiences with friends can help provide new perspectives and ideas, leading to personal growth and development.
So call up your pal! Have fun trying new activities together, grabbing a happy hour cocktail, or simply engaging in lighthearted conversation. Creating positive memories with people that bring joy to your life is crucial to self-care.
6. Spend time spoiling your body
Sometimes focusing hard on something and getting into a flow state can really shift your mood for the better. Spend 5 extra minutes on your nighttime skincare routine. Learn how to properly trim your beard or shape your brows. Give yourself a pedicure, spending extra time moisturizing and noticing how you feel after massaging your legs/feet. Make spoiling yourself in small doses a type of meditative practice; it will help you disconnect from all the distractions of life so you can be present in the moment. Being present and letting go of all the other things bouncing around in your brain is guaranteed to help you relax.
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7. Take a walk in nature
The grander the sights, the better. Taking a walk around your neighborhood, in your city’s park, or on a hiking trail are all excellent forms of self-care. Exposure to natural environments has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, as it provides a break from the sights, sounds, and distractions of our busy lives. Being in nature also enhances creativity and stimulates the brain, providing a welcome break from the demands of daily life. There’s also something about being amongst the trees, surrounded by fresh air. It fosters a sense of connection and appreciation for the environment, promoting a sense of well-being and contentment. So lace up those sneaks!
8. Set aside 30 minutes to read
Set aside some amount of time to read. Alex reads in the morning when he wakes up. I sometimes take a mid-morning break from work to catch up on my favorite blogs and newsletters. Reading has been shown to improve vocabulary, increase empathy, and reduce stress. It can also provide a welcome escape, allowing you to immerse yourself in new worlds and perspectives.
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The residents of Haven, Wisconsin, have dined on the Fine Chao restaurant's delicious Americanized Chinese food for thirty-five years, content to ignore any unsavory whispers about the family owners. Whether or not Big Leo Chao is honest, or his wife, Winnie, is happy, their food tastes good and their three sons earned scholarships to respectable colleges. But when the brothers reunite in Haven, the Chao family's secrets and simmering resentments erupt at last.
Before long, brash, charismatic, and tyrannical patriarch Leo is found dead--presumed murdered--and his sons find they've drawn the exacting gaze of the entire town. The ensuing trial brings to light potential motives for all three brothers: Dagou, the restaurant's reckless head chef; Ming, financially successful but personally tortured; and the youngest, gentle but lost college student James. As the spotlight on the brothers tightens--and the family dog meets an unexpected fate--Dagou, Ming, and James must reckon with the legacy of their father's outsized appetites and their own future survival.
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320 pages
Hardcover
A "hilarious, tender, raw, and heart-stoppingly moving" (Amanda Eyre Ward) debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life's possibilities.
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Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents' fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn't exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn't exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the "heteronormative paradigm" of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny's flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It's all going quite well.
Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he's known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London "commune." What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy--all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he's spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?
400 pages
Hardcover
But hey, if reading isn’t your jam, pick your favorite hobby and spend some quality time focused on that instead.
9. Book a vacation
If all else fails, Book a 7-day vacation to the nearest tropical island (your budget will help with this 😉). You can’t go wrong. White Lotus be damned, it’s going to be a great time.
What do you do for self-care? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
