UPDATED 05/16/2025
Taking care of yourself is something I’m so passionate about! But it takes practice. I didn’t take care of myself for so many years and then one day, I had an epiphany, I had to practice self-care and it wasn’t just about bubble baths and pampering.
When I had that epiphany, I came up with a few simple ways to take care of yourself. I’m sharing them with you today so you can start to practice your own self-care.
Practice Self-Care Through Health
It seems obvious but many forget that when you take care of your health, you practice self-care. We’re not always taught to do this. Some of us grow up not knowing the proper way to eat, how we should move our bodies every day, and that drinking water is a blessing, not a curse. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized I needed to take better care of myself. Here’s what you need to do:
- Start by eating well. – I love the 80/20 Rule because it allows for a little peace of mind. It works by having you make sure that 80% of your nutrition (food and beverages) are clean, unprocessed foods. The remaining 20% can be where the fun comes in. I know it can be hard to access food and beverages that are truly “clean” so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best. Let yourself have that piece of cake or glass of wine, but don’t make it a daily habit.
- Drink half your weight in ounces daily. – This is one I struggle with and even water tracking apps on my phone haven’t really helped. It might be because I have to go to the bathroom frequently or because it feels like a chore to drink and track it. I’m still working on this but I know drinking water every day helps you have clear skin, flush out the toxins in your body, and in some cases, it can even help you lose weight. When you stay hydrated, you’ll have less headaches, less pain in your joints, and feel more clearheaded. So drink your water, people!
- Move your body every day. – The majority of news sources say to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day. Most people simply cannot achieve that. Instead, shoot for 7,500 steps per day. This is definitely doable and believe it or not, you can achieve this in your day-to-day activities and with a simple walk every day. These steps help you to move your body and avoid joint pain, help your heart to pump in a healthy way, and give you a good habit to strive for.
- Have regular checkups. – That means seeing your medical doctors, like a general practitioner and your eye doctor, and your dentist. These regular appointments help you stay ahead of health issues that might arise and always be in the know of what path you’re going down. The general rule of thumb is to see your general practitioner and eye doctor every year and your dentist every six months. If you have a specialist you see, like a pulmonologist, you should see them every year too. These appointments might seem like they’re unnecessary or expensive, but I can promise you, they are worth it.
Practice Self-Care Through Routine
Creating and having some sort of routine in your day is crucial. This could be a morning or night routine or even just tasks you perform every day. I have a morning routine that simply involves getting ready for the day. In the morning, I wash my face, get dressed, have breakfast, and then start my day. At night, my routine helps me wind down and get ready for dreamland. When I’m getting ready to hit the sack, I stop using electronics two hours before bed, read my book for an hour, and sometimes meditate or journal. Think of a routine as having structure in your day.
Practice Self-Care Through Speaking
This is my favorite practice and the one I think is the most important. It’s about using your voice. The boundaries you create and the way you talk to yourself.
When it comes to boundaries, the first thing you need to do is know your limits. People press our buttons all the time, but sometimes that pushing sets us off and makes us lose our sense of self. Once you know what yours are, you need to share them with people. Use your voice to share what your limits are so everyone you come in contact with is on the same page that you are.
How we talk to ourselves is almost more important than boundaries. Take a second and think about how you’ve talked to yourself recently. If it’s mostly positive, great! If your self-talk is on the other side of the spectrum, you need to put some work in. Every morning, give yoursel a compliment or say something you’re proud of. The more you talk to yourself in a positive light, the better self-care you provide.
Since starting this journey, I’ve practiced self-care so much and have learned how to take care of myself. I know you can too.
