Self care is important for everyone, but especially for women. Feeling guilty when we prioritize taking care of ourselves happens far too often. This guilt can cause stress and anxiety. But the reality is, no one can pour from an empty cup.
It’s easy to spend so much time taking care of others that you forget to make time for yourself. But when you make time for yourself, you also show up better for everyone else. And learning how to take care of yourself starts with defining what self care really means to you.
Check out some of our tips on how you can practice self care in your daily life, and discover what it truly means to you.
1. Be kind to yourself.
If you’re feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or anxious—try to identify the root of what’s causing these feelings.
Is it something you’ve been putting off doing? Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you feel like you’re constantly worrying about things?
These are signs that you might need some extra attention.
A big part of being kind to yourself, is gaining a deeper understanding of why something is bothering you.
If you’re putting off completing a task and find yourself constantly worrying, really ask yourself why you feel this way. Journaling is a great way to help you reflect on what causes you to feel overwhelmed.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, try reading a book before bed instead of scrolling through social media. Make it a habit to limit your screen time as much as possible before bed. You could also try diffusing calming essential oils before bed—such as eucalyptus or lavender— to help your body unwind for the day.
Implementing meditation and mindfulness practices in your daily life are also great ways to be kind to yourself.
Take a few minutes out of each day to meditate and slow down, to help relax your mind and your body. This self care practice can easily be practiced from the comfort of your home.
You can find guided meditations on Youtube, or make use of apps like Calm or Headspace. We even have a few great meditations up on the Brilliantly website, which you can find here. This simple practice is a great way to help clear your mind, and help you show up as your best self in your daily life.
Implementing these small acts of self care throughout your day, are great ways for you to be kind to yourself.
2. Give yourself permission to rest.
One of the easiest ways to give yourself permission to rest is by setting aside time to do “nothing”.
This could mean spending time relaxing with a book, watching TV, or even just sitting quietly and listening to music.
In the highly interconnected world we live in, it’s so easy to feel the need to be “on” all the time. But it’s crucial you give yourself pockets of time throughout your day to just rest.
Oftentimes, we avoid doing “nothing” because it makes us feel unproductive. But the more you practice implementing daily rest, the easier it will become.
Your mind, body, and soul all need rest. Learning to take time out of your busy day to let your body rest is a crucial part of self care.
3. Don’t compare yourself to others.
As women, we have a tendency to compare ourselves. Whether it be to people like our peers, relatives, or colleagues—it’s so easy to get caught in the trap of comparison.
When you compare yourself to other people, it’s so easy to start feeling bad about yourself. Things like social media and the ability to view other people’s highlight reel can also amplify the impacts of comparison.
But rather than spending time comparing yourself to other people, try focusing on what you can control.
Focus on how you can fill your life with more people that bring you joy and peace.
Limit your social media scrolling time, and take regular breaks from your phone. Surround yourself with people who you know have your best interest at heart. These people should motivate and encourage you.
We all have those things and people in our life that make us feel recharged and rejuvenated. They help us feel joy and reignite the spark in our life.
Spend less time focusing on what others are doing, and more time on the things that make you feel happy and most alive.
4. Set boundaries.
Whether you’re a wife, mother, daughter, or friend—I’m sure there are many times where you’ve said “yes” to something even if you didn’t have the time to help.
Learning to set healthy boundaries is a crucial part of self care. You’re allowed to say “no” to things when you simply don’t have the time, energy, or desire to do them.
Even if saying “no” disappoints others, prioritizing your self care helps you show up as the best version of yourself in other people’s lives as well.
5. Get outside
Set aside time each day to get outside. Sometimes sunshine and fresh air are exactly what you need when life gets a little too hectic.
Take a walk around your neighborhood with no real goal in mind, other than relaxing. Maybe listen to some music or your favorite podcast, and just spend time enjoying the fresh air.
It can be so easy to stay cooped up inside, but making an effort to get outside each day is a great way to change your environment. It’s also a great way to keep yourself active, and get your body moving.
Regularly implementing time outside is an easy and effective way to incorporate self care into your daily routine.
We hope you found our self care tips for women helpful.
How do you practice self care in your life? Will you be adding any of these tips to your daily routine?
Be sure to let us know in the comments below!