Our Best Self-Care Hacks

Taking care of yourself is essential for your well-being. Here are some of the best self-care hacks to help you recharge and thrive.

Remember: Self-Care is Personal!

Prioritize your well-being, and watch how it transforms your life!

Stay awesome! 🌟

More than ever before, we now hear the buzzwords “self-love” and “self-care.” For some, the concepts may be clear, but many are still seeking clarity on what self-love and self-care mean and look like. I am a “Vocabulary Nerd” who loves to look up word definitions to deepen my understanding of a concept. So we will begin with my definition of self-love and -care: Self-love and -care go well beyond bubble baths, a silent moment to yourself before going inside your home after a long day of work, or a cup of tea before bed. Although these are great examples of self-love and -care, they are only examples and do not capture the full essence of these concepts.

 Self-love and care defined:  Self-love and care (n.)(v.): 1. To intentionally and actively offer kindness, support, enhancement, thoughtfulness, patience, restoration, grace, appreciation, and respect toward yourself. 2. To intentionally devote attention and efforts to enhancing and protecting your well-being. So now that we have a clear definition of what self-love and -care is, let’s review some ways to put these concepts into action:  

1. Make good decisions.  By design, life is hard enough, so it is imperative to be mindful  of how your decision-making impacts your quality of life. Some decisions can reduce life quality outcomes like financial condition, mental and physical health, and relationship quality, while others can enhance them. When you love and care for yourself, you make strategic decisions to enhance and protect your life quality and reduce undue burden,  stress, and strain. Poor decisions that create avoidable stress, strain, and undue problems are a form of self-hate  and sabotage.

 2. “B” for BIG  BOUNDARIES.  A client once deemed me as the “Boundaries Queen” I chuckled at the acknowledgment, but they were right. I have grown into a complete understanding of what boundaries are and why establishing and enforcing them are so important, and I have become an expert in boundary enforcement. As a result, my life has forever changed in the best ways. Boundaries are rules that protect you from behaviors of outside others that could potentially reduce your quality of life (intentionally or unintentionally). Boundaries inform others of what’s okay for you and what is not okay for you. Boundaries, simply stated, are the terms in which I feel safe interacting with you—if these terms are broken, our interaction will become limited or terminated. When we fail to establish and enforce boundaries, it permits low-quality experiences to occur in our lives. This often results in frustration and resentment that can negatively impact your inner psychological world, others connected to you, and how you show up. Boundaries are a vehicle of self-love and -care–they say, “I care about you, and I care about me too.”

 3. Be kind to yourself.  Many of us have inherited harsh internal voices of criticism and judgment from at least one place or person with whom we have crossed paths in our lifetime. The more you are exposed to voices of harsh criticism and negativity or the more you value the opinion of the person who spews the harsh criticism, the stronger the lasting impression. Sometimes, the impression is so strong that you adopt (internalize) hypercriticism of yourself as your internal voice. The harm of the harsh criticism continues, even when the external voice of harsh criticism is no longer present. If you tend to be hypercritical and unforgiving of yourself—if you tend not to allow yourself to make mistakes, and when you do, you beat yourself down for it—  stop  ! This is a form of self-perpetuated abuse. Instead, when you make a mistake, shift the narrative you are telling yourself about yourself and the mistake. Recognize that you are a human and humans are flawed by design–perfection in human nature does not exist. Making a mistake does not decrease your value or worthiness. It simply makes you human. When you make a mistake, permit yourself to be human. This means acknowledging your personal disappointment but also offering yourself kindness,  forgiveness, patience, and grace. Hold yourself accountable, learn from the event, and commit to change that will prevent similar mistakes in the future. This is self-love and -care.  

Take Away While there are so many more ways to practice self-love and self-care, I hope the definitions and examples in this post deepen your understanding of these terms and empower you to make them a daily practice in your life.

1. Establish a Morning Routine

Start your day with the intention to set a positive tone.

• Wake Up Early: Give yourself time to wake up gradually.
• Hydrate: Drink a glass of water to kickstart your metabolism.
• Mindfulness: Try 5-10 minutes of meditation or deep breathing.

2. Embrace Digital Detox

Take a break from screens to refresh your mind.

• Set a Schedule: Designate specific times to check your devices.
• Unplug Before Bed: Avoid screens an hour before sleep.
• Engage in Offline Activities: Read a book, do puzzles, or walk.

3. Nourish Your Body

Food is fuel – choose wisely!

• Cook at Home: Prepare healthy meals with fresh ingredients.
• Stay Hydrated: Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day.
• Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your meals and enjoy every bite.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Quality sleep is non-negotiable for self-care.

• Create a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
• Bedtime Rituals: Wind down with calming activities like reading or taking a warm bath.
• Comfortable Environment: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.

5. Get Moving

Physical activity is a fabulous stress reliever.

• Find Activities You Enjoy: Dance, yoga, cycling—endless options!
• Short Workouts: Even a 10-minute walk can lift your spirits.
• Stretch Daily: Helps relieve tension and keeps your body flexible.

6. Practice Gratitude

Focusing on the positive can enhance your mood.

• Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
• Share with Others: Express appreciation for friends, family, or colleagues.
• Visual Reminders: Use sticky notes with inspirational quotes around your space.

7. Connect with Nature

Feel the earth’s magic to refresh your spirit.

• Get Outside: Spend time in parks, gardens, or forests.
• Nature Walks: Observing the beauty around you can be incredibly grounding.
• Mindful Moments: Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air and soak in the scenery.

8. Engage in Creative Outlets

Creativity can be a powerful form of self-care.

• Start a Hobby: Painting, writing, or crafting can help you unwind.
• Express Yourself: Don’t hesitate to create without judgment – just enjoy the process!
• Join Workshops: Meet like-minded people and learn new skills together.

9. Set Boundaries

Protect your space and energy.

• Learn to Say No: It’s okay to decline requests that drain you.
• Limit Social Media Exposure: Curate your feeds to focus on positivity.
• Schedule ‘Me Time’: Dedicate time for yourself each week, unapologetically!

10. Reach Out for Support

You don’t have to do it alone.

• Talk to Friends: Share your feelings and encourage each other.
• Seek Professional Help: A therapist can provide valuable guidance.
• Join Community Groups: Connect with supportive communities for shared experiences.

Remember: Self-Care is Personal!

Prioritize your well-being, and watch how it transforms your life!

Stay awesome! 🌟

OUR MIND JOURNALS