9 Self-Care Habits to Try

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Did you know that engaging in a regular self-care routine has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve our mood, strengthen our immune system, and enhance self-esteem and productivity? (Source) Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. It means participating in small– or big acts– for YOU, so YOU can be your best version. Without further ado, here are 9 self-care habits to try.

1. Have a cup of coffee/tea in my favorite mug

One of my favorite moments of the day is that first sip of coffee. That delicious, addictive caffeine with a sugary side of French Vanilla creamer really gets my day, and my BMs, going. I love to sit on our patio while I sip my mornin’ Joe.

I’ll usually take some deep breaths while I drink, really taking the time to notice the taste, smell, and temperature of the coffee. Drinking out of my favorite mug makes it all the better.

2. Call a Loved One

In Creating True Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh writes that all humans have good and bad seeds within them. There are seeds of love, compassion, and understanding and there are seeds of anger, violence, and fear. He talks of the importance of watering your own and others’ “good seeds” and warns of watering our “bad seeds.” For this reason, I choose to surround myself with those that water my good seeds.

While it may be hard to find adult friendships that stick, the feeling of being able to truly open up to another person without judgment plays a huge role in our mental health. Having someone to laugh, cry, or vent to is as important as eating healthy or exercising.

Typically it’s my mom, but I try to call or text someone I love daily. Reaching out and chatting with a friend, even if just for 10 minutes, tends to water my good seeds.

3. Thirteen minutes of yoga/meditation

The amount of time may vary, but I try to be very consistent in practicing some sort of yoga or meditation daily. It makes me a calmer, more patient human, and studies show just 13 minutes of daily meditation led to decreased negative mood, enhanced attention, and decreased anxiety. (Source) 13 minutes passes much faster than you realize.

Knowing I will rarely wake up before Jamey to do yoga, my husband and I typically wait and put the boy to bed, then do a 15-45 minute video on YouTube. However, when I have done yoga first thing in the morning, I tend to notice a happier, more productive version of myself throughout the day. Adriene Mishler (Yoga with Adriene) has over 600 videos ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, so there’s a video out there for everyone.

To make my yoga time even more bougie, I’ll light a candle and turn out the lights. My living room can be a relaxing studio, too. Reconnecting with my body is the life-changing self-care habit I will promote for all the days of my life.

4. Listen to Music while Showering

Seeing as I bathe daily, why not make it a little fun? Rapping along to the Hamilton soundtrack in the shower makes shaving an enjoyable task, rather than a burden. Focusing on the sensations of the water hitting my body, my fingertips on my scalp while washing my hair, all while listening to the lyrics and beat of my favorite song really makes for a pleasurable, present shower experience. This sleek waterproof speaker goes right in the tub. Showering has become my mini-spa time.

5. Eat Dinner With the Family

Growing up, my mom always made “family dinner” an important part of the day. I remember not thinking much of it, but as an adult, I’m really thankful we had that. Plus, my ma’s mashed potatoes are creamy and award-worthy.

Whilst cooking does NOT spark joy for me, sitting down with my husband and son and sharing a meal does spark joy. In actuality, dinners with a 3 year old are the worst, but I know one day he’ll sit still and actually eat. He’ll tell us all about his day at school and brag about my instant mashed potatoes. It will be wonderful.

Eating dinner with my people doesn’t just benefit me, either. “Children who eat regular family dinners experience less depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, have bigger vocabularies, get better grades, have higher self-esteem, and eat more fruits and vegetables.” (Source) Jamey might be a borderline terrorist at dinnertime now, but I know that one day he will enjoy our dinner together. Hopefully the cycle will continue, and Jamey will eventually have dinner and conversation with his children.

6. Have an Orgasm

Daily orgasms……. As if! Oftentimes after a full day of chasing a 3 year old, the last thing I want is to be touched in that way. However, I do believe you have to make time for what’s important, and orgasms are extremely important to our well-being. Partnered or solo, orgasms can have wonderful health benefits from improved immune system and regular menstrual cycles to reduced pain and improved cardiovascular health. (Source)

Physical health and sexual health go hand in hand. While “daily” might be dreaming big, shooting for regular orgasms is an attainable goal. Incorporate some meditative breathing and your O-game just might explode. Pun intended.

7. Read a Book for 30 Minutes

We all know getting lost in a good book is one of the greatest feelings. Sometimes Jamey and I go to the public library and read a few books together and take a few home. The child-like wonder of reading Harry Potter for the first time is an unforgettable memory, and I can’t wait to give that to my son. We’re purchasing the gorgeously illustrated versions by J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay as they come out. When he’s old enough, we will read a chapter each evening.

Not only is reading a healthy form of escapism, studies also show that daily reading provides a host of benefits including increased focus, improved memory and empathy, reduced stress, improved mental health, and even a longer lifespan. (Source) Reading, whether fiction or nonfiction, is good for your brain.

There are oodles of options out there when it comes to books. My interests include fantasy, science fiction, romance, thrillers, self-help books, and more. (Examples: Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, It Ends With Us, Silence of the Lambs, What Happened to You, etc.) Find what you’re into, and dive in!

8. Bedtime Routine

Bedtime routines establish habits that help our brains recognize when it’s time to sleep. By performing the same activities in the same order every night, your brain comes to recognize those activities as a precursor to sleep. (Source) Your noggin recognizes your nighttime habits and starts to fire off messages that it’s time to wind down. This improves your sleep, and improved sleep is always a win.

I try to appreciate that I’m able to have a bedtime routine. I put a timer on it, and all my steps take around 10 minutes. That’s 600 seconds of time to check-in with myself, wash my face, brush, and floss. I try to breathe and think about the sensations of my toothbrush on my teeth or the lotion on my face, knowing I’m taking great care of this body and preparing for a good night’s sleep.

9. NO Screens in Bed

You might notice that whenever you use your phone or other types of screens in bed, you don’t sleep well. It turns out, there are several reasons behind this. The blue light emitted by screens is harmful to your eyes, screens increase alertness at night, and they reduce your total amount of REM sleep. (Source) Sounds like a recipe for restless nights and grumpy mornings.

This girl needs, and loves, her sleep. Afternoon naps? They’re extremely rare, but the bomb.com. Hitting that snooze button in the morning and getting that 5 extra minutes? Yes, please. Putting the book down in the evening, turning out the light, and letting my head hit the pillow? Heavenly. Sleep is crucial to everything, so why not take the steps to improve it? As for this house, there will be no slumber-time screen time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact. These small acts can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. (Source) As Tom and Donna from Parks and Recreation always say, “TREAT YO’ SELF.” Find little ways to love yourself… You deserve it.