8 Easy Ideas to Add to Your Self-Care Routine [Slideshow]

1. Take a Break During the Workday

Of course, you can’t disappear from your desk for thirty minutes. But, if you’re gone 5-10 minutes, no one will notice. Look at your calendar and find a spot where you can block a few minutes to go out for a walk.

Breaking up your day to be in silence, in contact with nature, and breathing fresh air can help bring your stress levels down and give you an unexpected boost of energy, no coffee required.

2. Make a Small Diet Change

A diet change doesn’t have to equal a menu overhaul. Instead, change one thing about your diet and stick to this change for one week. For example, trade your afternoon coffee for a cup of tea instead of lowering your caffeine intake. Small changes like this can help you develop healthy habits in the long run.

3. Schedule a Self-Date

Sometimes all we need is some alone time or “me” time. Once a month, schedule a self-date and do whatever you enjoy doing when you’re alone. Watch your favorite show, go to your favorite restaurant, head over to a concert. Take yourself on a date and value the amazing person you are.

4. Take a Bath or Shower

No, you don’t need a giant bathtub and the latest bath bombs to make this happen. My partner calls this self-care practice, “soaking.” Every other night fill your bathtub or let your shower run for a little longer. Simply soak in your bathtub with a book, listen to music, or have a glass of wine, whatever you enjoy the most. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can still do this in your shower, hang some eucalyptus branches to have an at-home aromatherapy session.

5. Cook for Yourself

Listen, you don’t have to be a cook to prepare a self-care meal for yourself. Think of your comfort food, mine is pasta Alfredo and wine. Yours can be a grilled cheese sandwich. Or maybe it’s frozen pizza. Whatever it is, cook something for yourself and don’t let any shame or judgment take over. Enjoy this meal by yourself or with someone to indulge in the small things in life that bring us bliss.

6. Have Fun

I confess this one is hard for me, but I’m working on it. Having fun is the simplest act of self-care we can do. Let go of the “being productive” guilt, it leads nowhere. If you must, schedule yourself 5-10 minutes of “fun-time” during your day to do something that’s not work-related or brings you any sort of anxiety.

7. Light a Candle

Whether or not you believe in the effects of aromatherapy, no doubt lighting up a candle with your favorite scent makes us feel better. Try having a candle by your desk or in your bedroom, once a day, light up the candle for a few minutes, and simply enjoy the scent and the way it makes you feel.

8. Call a Friend

Don’t text, just give them a random call. Our friends are there for us whenever we need them. An act of self-care is also reaching out to those close to us. At least once a month, schedule a call with a friend and talk about life with no limits. Debriefing your friends on what’s been happening can help you gain perspective and feel more relaxed.