7 Ways to Train the Self-Care Habit

One thing that many of us struggle with is investing in our own care and well-being. We’re often so busy taking care of family, work, and other commitments that we wind up being the last priority on our “to-do” lists. However, self-care is a major factor in feeling good and in being resilient in difficult times.

 

I’m going to share 7 simple and effective ways to get your brain in the “habit” of self-care. These are small things you can try right now – simple nurturing actions in loving yourself.

 

Note: It’s completely natural for your brain to resist these exercises and potentially even judge them as silly. If you feel any resistance, simply remind yourself that being open to caring about yourself is a key element in happiness!

 

Here are 7 ways to nurture a self-care habit:

 

1. Start your morning by thinking of 5 things you’re grateful for.
2. If possible, practice mindful eating or drinking for a few minutes during a meal or a coffee/tea break.
3. Practice a mindful check-in during the day once or twice.
4. Take at least a 20-minute walk each day to care for your body.
5. Put your hands on your heart for a moment to wish yourself well. Try saying the words: “May I be healthy and happy.”
6. If things get tough, just acknowledge that it’s a difficult moment and consciously keep your inner-critic at bay.
7. At night, look back on the day, forgive all the people you’re holding grudges against (yourself included!), release the burden, and settle in for a good night’s sleep.

 

Here’s an experiment I encourage you to try:

 

Identify one specific thing in your day that tends to trigger your stress response. For example, it could be something like: “When I get to work and see a full inbox I notice an immediate spike in stress.”

 

When you next sit down to respond to emails, rate your stress level on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.

 

Practice these self-care habits for a week and then rate your stress level again when you open your email program for the day.

 

See how you score!

 

So, what did you notice with this exercise? Please share your thoughts, stories, and questions with us below. Remember – your interaction creates a living wisdom for us all to benefit from.