Self-care is something that you hear about all the time, but what exactly does it entail? You probably know that self-care activities are healthy and necessary, but how can you incorporate them into your life? Here are 10 easy self-care activities to help you get started.

1) Simplify
Self-care can come in many forms and is about taking care of your well-being. Self-care activities are essential for a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. It’s important to take care of yourself by finding self-care practices that work for you.

2) Practice mindfulness
Start by focusing on your breathing. Take a few deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Let go of any thoughts that pop up and bring yourself back to the breath. Then focus on what you see, hear, smell, or feel around you. You can also practice self-care by taking time for yourself without distractions and scheduling downtime in your day.

3) Take time to relax
It is important to take time for yourself and do activities that you enjoy. Self-care is about nurturing your body, mind and soul. It’s about taking the time out of your day or week to focus on you. There are many different self-care activities you can engage in, some of which are below

1/ Take a relaxing bath with candles
2/ Listen to your favourite music while laying down in a darkened room
3/ Go for a walk in nature
4/ Get creative and make something, art, pottery and knitting are some examples
5/ Meditate
6/ Read a book
7/ Exercise
8/ Get a massage
9/ Bake a cake

4) Take the time you need
Without self-care we can’t be at their best when we are not taking care of ourselves. Self-care allows us the time and space to do things we enjoy and that brings balance back into our lives.

5) Enjoy yourself
Self-care is the act of looking out for oneself with physical, emotional, and mental well-being in mind. Some simple self-care activites include: taking time to relax, eating healthy food, getting regular exercise, and spending time with others who make you happy.

6) Do things differently
Self-care can be anything you want it to be. It doesn’t have to be a big, time consuming thing that takes over your life. Instead, self-care is meant to make you feel good for a little bit of time and then it’s over. The most important thing about self-care is that you do it for yourself!

7) Breathe deep
Breathing deeply is one of the simplest self-care activities you can do. Not only does it help with stress relief, but breathing deeply helps you be in touch with your body and connect with yourself. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold for three seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Breathe out any tension or thoughts that you have been holding on to while focusing on your breath coming in and out of your body.

8) Exercise mindfully
Mindfulness is a form of self-care that involves focusing on the present moment with awareness and acceptance, as opposed to living in the past or future. The benefits of practicing mindfulness include: increased focus, clarity and productivity, decreased stress levels and anxiety. Some ways you can practice mindfulness throughout your day are by taking time for yourself, exercising mindfully, focusing on the present moment instead of ruminating about your past or worrying about the future.

9) Try something new
Self care is an important part of everyone’s life. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your day-to-day life looks like, it’s important to take some time out of your day for yourself. Some people find self care as a way to relax and destress after a long day at work, while others find self care as a way to pursue their passions, interests, and hobbies.

10) Meditate
Meditation is a great way to incorporate self-care into your life, and it’s actually pretty simple. Try it out for a few minutes every day. Sit comfortably on the ground or in a chair and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale slowly. Don’t worry about thinking about anything other than breathing for the entire time you’re meditating. You can also try some guided meditation, which usually involves listening to someone tell you what to think about while meditating and there are thousands of those on youtube to try out.