5 Simple Self-Care Practices You Can Do Anywhere
Photo by Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical or mental health professional. Everything I share is information gained through personal experience, professional help, and outside resources. It is your own personal responsibility to seek professional help and advice before implementing any life-altering practices. Everyone's mental health journey looks different. My story is just one of millions. If you are feeling lost, scared, alone, concerned, or just not right, I encourage you to connect with a mental health professional. Don't wait until it becomes a crisis.
Remember when we talked about simplifying self-care? When we said self-care didn’t have to be complicated, only intentional?
No? Quick refresh your memory here.
Remember now? Great!
We’re going to explore one of my favorite aspects of the simple self-care idea: simple self-care practices you can do anywhere.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN AT HOME
For most of us, life doesn’t just happen at home. That means while we’re out and about in the world, we may find ourselves needing some extra self-love or have an unplanned moment of time we’d like to put to good use. These simple self-care practices are perfect for just those occasions.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE PRACTICE #1: Deep Breathing
Ahhhh, the almighty breath. Personally, I feel like this is the basis, the basic foundation of all self-care. Breathing literally brings life to your body, mind, and soul. Taking several, intentional, lung expanding breathes in a row floods your body with life.
HOW TO DO IT: Slowly inhale through your nose while you count to six. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth while counting to eight. Repeat 3-5 times.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE PRACTICE #2: Stretch
Here’s another body-focused simple self-care practice you can do anywhere. Without knowing we’re doing it, we have the tendency to tense up or settle our bodies into positions that aren’t beneficial to our being. Stretching can bring relief to our cramped or misaligned muscles.
HOW TO DO IT: You can stretch anyway that feels good, but I’ve also included below a step-by-step inspired by the art of yoga.
Standing, sitting, or lying down, align your body to the most correct posture you can with your arms hanging at your sides or with fingers interlaced in front or back of you.
With the top of your head stretch your neck upwards while pushing your hands towards the ground (or your feet, if lying down). Hold for one-two seconds. Release.
With shoulders relaxed, turn your head slowly to the left and back to the right. Put your chin to your chest for one-to-two seconds while rolling your wrists and wiggling your fingers.
Return your head and body to a normal, relaxed position.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE PRACTICE #3: Gratitude
Listing things were thankful for helps our mind and soul focus on the positive, pushing aside the negative.
HOW TO DO IT: If it is safe and appropriate to do so, close your eyes. Mentally list 5-10 things you are thankful for that happened in the last 24 hours. They can be big, like a new car, or small, like the chocolate you had after lunch. Allow yourself to smile as you acknowledge the good things in your life.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE PRACTICE #4: SCREEN BREAK
Benefits can come from NOT doing something, as much as they can from taking action. Here, we’re going put that into practice, while bringing rest to our eyes.
HOW TO DO IT: This is the easiest self-care practice of this list. When you find yourself looking at a screen unnecessarily or for an extended period of time, make the conscious decision to stop and take a break. Put your phone away. Turn or walk away from the TV or computer.
SIMPLE SELF-CARE PRACTICE #5: Compliment Yourself
You don’t need someone else to tell you you’re awesome or give you permission to be happy with something you did. This self-care practice puts you in charge of your self-confidence. And speaking kindly to ourselves also sets the precedent on how we allow others to speak to us.
HOW TO DO IT: if can, find your reflection in glass, mirror, standing water, or even screen (if you're not currently practicing #4 from this list). Look at your self in the eyes. If you can’t find your reflection, close your eyes. Here’s the fun part: pay yourself three compliments like you’re talking to a close friend family. “You are beautiful!” “I’m so happy you are part of my life.” “You handled that tough situation so well. Bravo.” “I love you, and am so proud of you.”
Have any other simple self-care practices you can do anywhere? Let me know in the comments what you would add to the list!
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