Self-care is a big deal these days. It seems like everywhere you turn there’s an influencer preaching the benefits of yoga and meditation or a new seven-step beauty routine that will change how we feel about ourselves, starting from the outside and working in.
But the reality is that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. When it comes to taking care of our bodies, minds, and souls, it’s the small practices that make a big difference. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the time to go on a yoga retreat in Bali and meditate in yurts for a week.
Your self-care game can be just as strong if you learn to incorporate small rituals into your daily routine. Here are 10 simple self-care rituals to practice every day in 2022 to help you feel happy and healthier.
1. Journaling
There is no right or wrong way to journal. The point of journaling is to have a healthy way of working through your thoughts on your own and to clear your mind. If you have an intrusive thought that you can’t stop thinking about but don’t want to share with anyone yet, write about it first. Once your thoughts are down on paper, you have a much clearer perspective.
Here are some journaling prompts to practice self-love:
- What is one thing you’ll do this week that’s solely for you?
- How does making time for yourself feel?
- Write 3 positive and loving things about your least favourite quality/body part.
- What is something you’re proud of yourself for?
- What were you most passionate about as a child?
- What are you most passionate about now?
- List 10 things you’re grateful for.
2. Getting Ready in the Morning
We may not need the latest and greatest face cream, but putting effort into our beauty routine and how we look isn’t totally useless. When we look good, we feel good- simple as that. So if you’re a stay-at-home-mom or working from home and don’t necessarily have to get dressed and put on makeup in the morning, try doing it anyways and see how much better you feel. Wake up 15 minutes early to pick out a cute outfit, do your hair, put on some mascara..whatever you gotta do to feel “ready”.
3. Moving Your Body
Sedentary jobs have increased by 83% since 1950 according to the American Heart Association. And there is aload of health concerns associated with too much sitting.
Making a conscious effort to get up and move throughout your day is a self-care ritual that should not be overlooked. Try setting a timer on your phone for every 2 hours as a reminder to get up and walk around the block, or do some gentle stretching for ten minutes. You don’t have to do a full-on workout at the gym or a pilates class to get your blood flowing.
4. Laughing
According to science, laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, dopamine and growth hormones. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters.
We all have that friend who makes us laugh so hard that our stomachs hurt- call them! Your mental health will thank you.
5. Healing Crystals
Staying in tune with our spiritual selves is a key component of self-care and living a healthy lifestyle.
Alternative healing techniques like crystals have been around for centuries, but have become more mainstream in recent years. Crystals are minerals that help purify, balance and realign our internal chakras and energy by working with our bioenergetic systems.
Take it from crystal healing expert Emma Lucy Knowles, "Crystals allow us, quite effortlessly, to move fresh energy into the being, offering internal connectivity that enhances your external connectivity," Knowles says. "More and more people are tuning into how that energy can be beneficial."
Learn how to incorporate healing crystals into your daily routine in our previous article.
6. Aromatherapy
Using essential oils is a simple self-care ritual to practice every day. Add a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil to a diffuser at the end of the day to wind down, or roll some uplifting scents, like lemon or peppermint, on your neck and wrists for a little energy boost throughout the day.
Here are a few things to look for when it comes to buying high-quality essential oils:
- Organic oils are typically better than nonorganic; make sure the product has a USDA-certified organic label.
- Read the label. It should include the country of origin, where the plant came from, the Latin name, as well as how the oil was extracted. Safety data should be included as well.
- The oil should be sold in a dark blue or amber bottle because the darkness protects the aromatic and therapeutic properties of the oil.
- Shop at a local business you trust.
Zinnia's Gift Boutique in Scotts Valley, California carries a curated assortment of USDA-certified organic essential oilswith a wide variety of brands and aromas to suit your self-care routine.
7. Go Outside
Tuning into the rhythms of nature feeds our souls in ways that not only make us happier, but healthier. Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.
8. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
There are a few things that are absolutely essential to a healthy lifestyle, and diet is at the very top of the list. Simply put: good nutrition is good self-care. Your relationship with food has the ability to create a better sense of balance in your life. We aren’t talking about fad diets, food restrictions, or going vegan, we’re talking about filling your plate with fruits and vegetables (two-thirds of your plate, to be exact).
Leafy greens especially are packed with all the vitamins and antioxidants we need for us to feel our best. For some simple kale recipes, check out our previous article for 3 yummy kale recipes, or shop the I Hate Kale cookbook at Zinnia’s Gift Boutique.
Our self-care routines don’t have to be complex to be effective- it’s the tiny steps we take each day that ends up making a big difference. So take time for yourself: journal, move your body, call a friend and laugh a little- all these small steps amount to a healthier and happier version of you.