27 Ways to Practice Self-Care Under 10 Minutes
I get it. Adulting is hard. How are we supposed to balance work, personal life, finances, family, etc? With so many things to do, it’s no wonder that people overlook how to practice self-care. Amiga, we’ve all been there.
That’s why we are so excited to share this blog post in collaboration with Rebekah from Blissfulwallet. We know you’re busy and that’s why we’ve teamed up with Blisffulwallet to put together a comprehensive list of ways to practice self-care. Whether you’re a student, mid-level career professional, side hustler or business owner, these tips can help prioritize your mental health.
27 Ways to Practice Self-Care Under 10 Minutes:
#1. Practice Gratitude
One way to express gratitude is by celebrating a daily win.
This can look like “I’m glad I bought that ice cream on sale” or “I handled a stressful day at work well.”
#2. Practice saying Affirmations Out loud
A great way to step back from a chaotic day is to honor yourself by saying affirmations out loud. An affirmation is any positive saying that helps you get through the day or task. When I feel overwhelmed I like saying “I am capable of managing several different priorities” or “I am a badass and I will learn to manage these tasks efficiently”. If saying positive things about yourself feels weird, I want you to focus on maybe why that is. You might have some deeply rooted limiting beliefs about yourself.
For tips on how to practice saying affirmations out loud, check out my blog post on positive affirmations.
#3. Journaling
Journaling is a great way to practice self-care and step away from a busy schedule. Some great journal prompts are:
- What am I grateful for today?
- What emotion best describes how I feel about the day?
- What’s been on my mind a lot today?
- Can I do something for myself today that will make me feel better? What is it?
I get it, journaling can seem foreign if you haven’t practiced much. For more tips, check out my how to journal blog post. Check out the journals we have in our shop!
#4. Send a Mental Love Letter
Another way to practice self-care is sending a mental love letter. I like to do this exercise in the morning as I begin my day. It’s a great way to set your intention for the day.
For example, I think about one person who I feel like could use good vibes, and I write them a short love letter. It doesn’t need to be anyone you know. For instance, the other day I went to the bank and I saw a woman who seemed very stressed out over some unauthorized transaction that occurred on her account. The next morning, I thought of her and wrote some kind words and wishes for her in my journal. Giving love to others (even when they’ll never know about it) is a great way to welcome more positivity and love into your life. I love to practice self-care in this way.
#5. Make some Tea
Some tea have ingredients that can help reduce stress like Chamomile or Jasmine. The action of making yourself tea in itself can serve as a way to take a break and practice self-care.
#6. Read an uplifting or fun book
When I hit a wall and need a change of pace, I’ll pull out an uplifting book. As a kid, I loved getting lost in sci-fi and fiction books. Even as an adult, it helps to escape for a couple minutes and think of something fun before I get back to a rigorous workload.
#7. Go for a walk
Additionally, moving your body is a great way to practice self-care and you don’t need much time to do so. I like to go for a quick walk outside when I’m at work. A change of scenery is helpful to increase creativity. It’s such a simple, yet powerful tool.
#8. Change the scenery
Similarly, moving your work station can also help. I would do this often as an undergraduate to give me a boost. If I felt like I was running low on energy, I’d pack up my stuff, take a walk and brainstorm for another study library. I’d always make it a point to grab a snack as well. A change of scenery and sounds helped me.
#9. Step away from your work space
Equally important, it is helpful to take a break from your computer or phone screen.
I learned this the hard way when I began sitting at my laptop for hours at a time.
Whether you are at a physical job or working remote, a short break away from your screen can make all the difference. The brain can only process so much stimuli.
#10. Try out a Guided meditation
I am not the best at practicing meditation. When I try to quiet my mind I feel like I just welcome lots of random thoughts. What has worked well for me is following a guided meditation via Headspace. It’s easy, helpful and free.
#11. Check in with your body
When I’m busy with work or studying, I can easily miss cues for food or taking a break. Sometimes I’ll go hours before I realize I missed a meal. Setting an alarm every hour can be a great way to take a break to grab a snack, hydrate or take a walk.
#12. Acknowledge how the day is going
Reminding yourself that the day is hard but you’ve gotten through other obstacles can give you an energy boost. Take some time to acknowledge the positives in how your day is going, this allows you to feel more joy or peace.
#13. Do some yoga
Another great tool to practice self-care is doing yoga. Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, breathing method, and relaxation. Yoga can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and lower your heart rate.
#14. Break out in sweat (Exercise)
In general, exercise can be a great tool to reduce stress when your body needs a break. Increased endorphins can help even on the most stressful of days.
#15. Pet your dog
Did you know that puppies and dogs can increase your endorphin levels?! This is why many college campuses provide puppy therapy during midterms and finals to help reduce stress. So when you need to practice self-care turn to your dog some some love.
#16. Put on some ambient or lofi hip hop music
Raising your positivity and good vibes can be done easily by simply putting on some lofi hip hop or other ambient music. Playing your favorite jams is a great way to practice self-care when you are short for time.
Some of my favorite bands to listen to are:
- Khruangbin
- Leon Bridges
- Odeza
#17. Listen to a podcast
Rebekah loves listening to podcasts.
What better way to learn, be entertained and multitask than to hear someone’s voice playing in your ear?
Here are 4 of her current favorites:
- The Sugar Jar Podcast (Self love and self care)
- Money Memories (Money tips and casual conversations about finances)
- Unlocking Us (Explores ideas on vulnerability and human interaction)
- The “A” word (Self care and self love)
#18. Watch a youtube video
Visual stimuli can be just as important as audio. Video content can be a great way to connect with the speaker.
For example, I was feeling a bit anxious one morning, so I turned to YouTube to played my favorite TED Talk episode by Brene Brown.
In this particular episode, she teaches that that vulnerability is not a weakness but in fact a strength and true testament to courage. THAT is what I needed to hear in that moment.
#19. Take a hot bath or shower
If you can learn to take the saying “wash the stress away” literally a bath can be so relieving and satisfying. If you’re looking for a excuse to treat yourself, check out our luxurious bath tub tray. It’s the perfect tray to light some candles, read a book and melt away the stress in the bath tub.
#20. Wash your face
In a similar fashion, a splash of cold water can wake you up and give the illusion of restarting your day.
#21. Check in with a friend
Social support is so important.
We are not meant to be alone. And checking in with a friend can help you to understand the difference between feeling lonely and actually being alone.
Many of us have a lot of people in our lives that would love to be a shoulder to lean on.
#22. Turn off phone notifications to apps that aren’t urgent
Turn them off. I can almost promise you they aren’t that important. For more tips on how to do so, check out my “Reduce mind clutter” blog post.
#23. Healthy social media scroll
Believe it or not, social media is not the root to all evil.
If you can declutter your social media, when you scroll you will feel uplifted, motivated, and inspired.
But to do this you have to unfollow accounts that no longer serve you. It’s not about limiting yourself, but only having accounts on your social media feed that bring you the joy or news you care about. Check out my “declutter your mind” blog post where I walk you through the steps.
#24. Declutter your room
As a matter of fact, decluttering your space wouldn’t be a bad idea. Take the dishes out the room, straighten up the papers, sweep the floor, put the clothes in the drawer.
You’ll decrease your mess and increase your focus. For more tips that help me with decluttering my space, check out my blog post on “5 ways to reduce mind clutter”.
#25. Go into an empty room
I love my personal space.
And with so many aspects of life being remote, having an empty room to go into, even if it’s the bathroom, can greatly improve my mood.
Take some time to yourself. We all deserve judgement free time to breathe.
#26. Make a list of facts when you feel anxious
Anxiety wants you to think of something and worry tremendously.
It brings to mind everything you did in the past and anything you are uncertain about in the future.
Recently I was anxious because I felt a cold coming on. Instead of automatically assuming the worst I decided to step back and make a list of “why it was not odd that I was getting sick”
- I extremely socially distance while outside and I wear a mask every time.
- Each time the semester is about to start I catch a cold.
- My stress levels tend to go up and my immune system goes down.
- After a day or two or rest and nutrients I always feel better.
Make your own list when you need to stay present in the moment.
#27. Close your eyes and breathe
Finally, your body loves to be filled with oxygen, it’ll make you feel better. More relaxed, more at ease, and calmer.
Final Thoughts On Practicing Self-Care
Huge shout out to Blissfulwallet for the collaboration! We had so much fun brainstorming ways to practice self-care for you all. Make sure to follow her on Instagram @Blissfullwallet.
Self-care doesn’t have to be hard especially as a busy adult. All you have to do is find a way to make time for the things you love even if it’s in small doses.
What is your favorite way to practice self-care? Let us know in the comments.
For more strategies on how to practice self-care, check out:
- Verywellmind’s blog post on self-care
- Phycology Today’s article on 12 ways to better care for yourself
Rebekah is a college student with a passion for money awareness and self care. On her blog you can find easy to understand tips on budgeting, saving, self care, adulting 101.
Follow her on Instagram @Blissfulwallet and check out her blog www.blissfulwallet.com
