5 Ways to Practice Self Care

“If we do not know how to take care of ourselves and to love ourselves, we cannot take care of the people we love.” 
(Thich Nhat Hanh)

 

The oxygen mask principle refers to putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others on an airplane. We accept this in a hypothetical emergency situation, but how often do we apply this rule in our everyday lives? Like Thich Nhat Hanh explains, you cannot take care of others when you neglect your own health and well being. 

The beautiful thing about self care is that you can start very small. I know you don’t have time to block off a spa day (even though you definitely deserve it). Until your schedule clears and you get a birthday spa gift certificate, try one of these simple self care practices:

1. Mindfully sip your favorite drink. When was the last time you slowed down to savor each sip?

2. Take a walk by yourself. This is a twofer: you spend time outside and alone. Although sometimes I cheat and listen to The Lively Show, a podcast about living intentionally. My walk isn’t quite as mindful, but I do feel inspired to live better.

3. Take a bath with all the fixings. Since Lush opened a store at Park City Mall, bath time has been a fixture in my routine!

4. Journal. I like to write down the 4 G’s every day (or a least a few times a week): what I’m grateful for, what’s good in my life, what glitches I had that day, and what my goals are.

5. I’d be remiss if I didn’t include practicing yoga on this list! I always feel like I’ve treated myself really well after a yoga class. For the highest level of indulgence and relaxation, try out a restorative yoga class like Yoga Nap!

For more ideas, look at #selfcaresunday on Instagram and Twitter. I try to post what I’m doing each week. The bottom line is that self care is whatever you do expressly for yourself, so start today by doing something you love. As Tom Haverford would say, treat yo’ self!