10 Simple and Easy ways to Practice Self-Care

How much do you love yourself? Though you may consider this as a Duhhh question, it is actually a legitimate question that deserves some of your precious time, and it is very thought provoking when contemplated in depth. Here, I am not asking you to compare your love for your family to your love for yourself nor to choose who to save in a perilous situation.

I am just asking you ” How much do You love yourself?” As in, how much do you care or listen to your body, mind and soul. How much do you take the time to focus on yourself like the world didn’t matter? How much do you know and accept yourself?

We have learned for hearing it way too often that we must take care of ourselves. In fact, for having repeatedly heard the how to, we have all gathered the general knowledge that we must take care of ourselves but do we? And, just as we routinely say “ Bye, take care“, we consistently fail to really CARE. Me, I often find excuses ( I know I am not alone) like I need to go on vacation to treat myself, I don’t have the time to do all that, I need money to do that, I to plan it ahead, what about the children, what if…?, etc…

Do we really need all that to take care of ourselves? Do we really need a lot of money to practice self-care? What if the real needs of one self could be met with 10 simple and easy practice? Here a few easy ways to take care of ourselves that will definitely not cost an arm and a leg but will provide a deep connection and level of happiness.

1- Go for a walk or simply sit outside to feel mother nature

A good breath of fresh air does wonder to the mind, enjoy nature and its beauty to disconnect with your busy mind. Enjoy feeling the sand between your toes, the embrace of the wind or the rhythm found in the various noise happening around you. Allow yourself to discover something new or simply finally noticing a tree or this building or a this billboard in your neighborhood. Walking not to go anywhere in particular, but walking to disconnect with the “have to” and to reconnect with nature a simple breeze, birds, ant etc. Walk Wonders!

2- Listen to your favorite song

We all have that one song that touches the very core of our soul or that one that we can’t help but tap and hum when it plays on the radio. Find that song, play it on repeat and sing your lungs out like no one is listening or like it was your one million dollar performance. I have a few myself and funny enough if I am in my car and I just reached my destination while my song is playing I will not get off even if I am in my own driveway, I will sit in the car and enjoy every second of it. Sing no Sweat!

3- Dance to your favorite jam like nobody is watching

Do you have a song or a few songs that make you jump out of our seat to shake it up, or just shake your upper body with that joyful facial expression that quietly screams “THAT’S MY SONG!” I know I do! Or maybe you just have that one song that you dance to during certain moments of your life. Take a minute, dance to it, shake your body like no one was looking, giggle and jump like it was raining dollar bills! Focus your energy on every inch of your body and let the beat flow through your veins. When I am dancing to my groove, I can picture my son passing by shaking his head while smiling and saying ” Wow manmie!”. Dance, don’t care!

4- Enjoy your favorite dessert or meal

Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert, not just jump on it because you are craving it but enjoy every bite, feel the texture and the flavor of the ingredients, eat it like I like saying “a la maniere de Ratatouille”/ “Ratatouille Style” ( the way Remy in the movie ratatouille would taste food). Don’t rush it to get to the next thing on your agenda. Eat to savor!

5- Listen to yourself, to the voice within you

Allow some quietness within, by sitting by yourself and listening to yourself, allow yourself to feel and express those feelings. Listen not to the thoughts nurtured by society or your family and friends but really yourself and allow those thoughts to come to life and to consider them for what they are. At that moment, you will hear your dreams, your fears, your aspirations and you will meet yourself. Listen to live!

6- Be considerate of your needs

We often tend to disregard our needs however simple as they can such as craving our favorite dessert or favorite meal, feeling tired and needing a nap or even needing a hug or to tell someone to back off. As a result we always deprive ourselves of a simple pleasure or just wait for our glass to overflow creating an unneeded mess that we have to clean up later. We are so hung up on society’s definition of needs, wants, and desires that we often feel embarrassed to expressed our needs let alone satisfy them. Don’t brush away your needs, instead find a way to meet them. Nurture your needs!

7- Be kind toward yourself

Your choice of words toward yourself is crucial, make the conscious effort to use positive and appreciative words so instead of seeing and stating your flaws. We are all a work in progress toward our best self so build your self up, see the good in you. Praise yourself, write a letter to yourself or just pat yourself in the back for your accomplishment and even treat yourself to what you have been eyeing for a while now or that one item you keep adding to your cart and never purchase. Kill self-pity!

8- Enjoy a nice bath

Yes, set the time apart for a long and nice bath and go all in, candles, petals, wine, music, etc. enjoy the calm and the aromas, let your senses discover and savor this new world that you have created. Set that that to relax, to unwind and feel the water on your skin like a caress and not the usual rush and need to clean yourself and on to the next thing on your checklist. Bathe and Bask!

9- Read a book

Take a break from television or social media an enjoy a good read, get sucked into a world of choice and forget about your worries. It can be your favorite book or a good self-improvement book if you want to go all in. Allow yourself to enjoy a good story or to discover more about yourself but more importantly be sure to stay in the moment, enjoy the Now. If reading is not your cup of tea, audio book is just as viable. Read to revive!

10- Say “No” to many

Say no to many things many people including yourself. We often feel overwhelmed by adding too much to our plates, by loading much more than we can carry. So practice saying no to getting everything done, to getting everything under control and go crazy when life happen and say no to the people and things in life pulling us left right and making you want to clone yourself. Far from practicing selfishness, think of it as being selective with the most important word in your vocabulary. No to Nuisance!

Practicing self-care is way easier then it appears to be.

Live for you, Care for you!

Remember and practice these easy way to create new habits to take care of yourself because ” Nurturing the best version of yourself puts you one step closer to your dream and to being Happy“.