Make sure to check out part one of us asking women to share their favorite self-care activities!
There’s nothing like a good dose of self-care to get you going every day, whether you do so first thing in the morning, right before bed, or somewhere in between. For instance, I like to take an introspective walk every day — without my phone so it’s a mini #digitaldetox — and it really helps to clear my mind. To help me fall asleep, I listen to Headspace, an amazing meditation app — if you haven’t tried it, they have 10 sessions you can listen to for free, so no excuses. But what do other women do as self-care each day? Below, 10 women reveal their favorite daily self-care tips, so get ready to get inspired to try them for yourself.
1. Have A Self-Care Planner
“I’m a wife, mother of two, and licensed counselor in Charlotte, NC who specializes in helping women develop self-care. I use a planner to keep track of my monthly self-care day. On this designated day, I treat myself to a massage, pedicure, shopping, or all the above. I write it down because, if I don’t, I will forget to make time to connect with myself. With doing so much and being available to so many, I have to make sure that I take time for myself.” –Nedra Glover Tawwab, 35, LCSW,Kaleidoscope Counseling
2. Do Hot Yoga, Hiking, & Hot Baths With Oils
“I regularly do hot yoga and hiking for self-care, as well as hot baths with oils in the water to moisturize my body. The hot yoga works on my muscles and mental strength, the hiking allows me to connect the five senses with nature, and the hot bath gives me quiet and alone time. All are necessary for me to feel my best in an increasingly busy modern world.” –KJ Landis, 52, author and creator of the Superior Self series
3. Take Walks (With And Without My Baby)
“I am a Detroit-based, children’s book author, educator and content creator. My book series teaches kids how to become Professional Problem Solvers. So how do I solve the problem of self-care with a new baby? As a first-time mom to a nine-month-old baby girl, I have solved the problem of how to work out, take care of my baby, and meet the demands of my career. How do I do it? Well, after I pump in the morning, I put my baby in the stroller and walk two miles every morning. Initially, I walked alone, but now my doula and her baby join us three times a week. In the evenings after my husband gets home from work and the baby is asleep, I go back outside and walk alone. It helps me decompress and have some time to myself.” – Danielle C. Dunn, 38, CEO of Chikara Communications, LLC, and publisher/author of the IvyLocs book series
4. Do Tai Chi
“I started a global branding and marketing firm 17 years ago and am a big fan of self-care. As an entrepreneur, you have to take good care of yourself to be able to perform at your peak. I am a big fan of Tai Chi and started learning it around 13 years ago and have gotten progressively addicted over the years. I now know the choreography of two different forms and absolutely love it — it is a way to both relax and focus; I even guest teach when the regular backup cannot be there. I have met great people, it has helped my ability to focus my mind, stay balanced, improved my bone density, and helped calm my mind, too. I just love it. I even wrote an article on it for Entrepreneur magazine a few years ago.” – Paige Arnof-Fenn, 52, Founder & CEO,Mavens & Moguls
5. Take A Bubble Bath
“I am trainer and health coach. I help busy women get fit, love their bodies, and unleash their inner badass. Self-care is an important topic I cover with my clients regularly. I believe rituals are like putting on a seatbelt every time you get into a car: It’s the protection you need to keep you focused, grounded, and safe during a bumpy ride. My personal favorite self-care ritual and the one I recommend most often is a nice relaxing bubble bath. To make it really worthwhile, I think you have to really go for it — that means my favorite scented candles, bath bombs, and oils, as well as a pillow and glass of wine, with great background music. Literally soaking away the stress is deeply satisfying, and one of the few things I do that’s just for me. The important thing is that women take a moment to think about one activity that makes them feel deep satisfied, cared for, and peaceful. Then, go do more of that.” – Tangia Renee Estrada, 36, wellness professional, transformation coach, speaker, and consultant
6. Have Beauty Days
“For self-care, I get a manicure every two weeks and a pedicure every four weeks. Also, I get waxed every five weeks and have a facial every three months. Lastly, I get my hair done every two months. These are my self-care essentials.” – Wilma Parsons, 30, owner of Harrison and Georgia, teething accessories for babies and moms
7. Do Facial Magic Facial Exercises
“The self-care remedy I do regularly is facial exercise, specifically the Facial Magic facial exercise system. Many years ago, I was receiving injections and fillers every few months, which were not budget-friendly and also gave me some wonky results at times. In 2007, I discovered the Facial Magic facial exercises and have had NO injections or fillers in 11 years. I love that the Facial Magic exercises are all-natural and that the simple, quick program has allowed me to actually turn back the clock to the way I looked at 25. Here’s a side-by-side comparison 33 years apart of my Facial Magic results.” – Jackie Silver, 58,Jackie Silver Style
8. Meditate And Do Yoga
“To decompress and calm the senses, I schedule out at least 5 minutes a day to sit in stillness and meditation: Focus on smooth and deep inhalations and exhalations, and observe any thoughts in the mind without judgment. Try not to get attached to these thoughts; let them pass. If you get distracted, count your in breaths and your out breaths (for example, inhale for a count of four, then exhale for a count of six).
“To re-energize and promote circulation, try 10-15 minutes (to begin with) of the hatha yoga practice (such as sun salutations, warrior poses, cool down stretches, and savasana). To replenish the mind, body, and heart, I’d also recommend restorative yoga (such as legs-up-the-wall, supported heart opening on bolster/ blocks, etc.).Try 10-15 minutes (to begin with) — it’s as easy as setting a timer or playlist and letting your body melt into these nourishing and replenishing poses.” – Melissa Okabe, 30, yoga instructor
9. Work Out, Sauna, And Shower
“Self-care with little ones can be done! I was finding it near impossible to do a solid, uninterrupted workout, until I finally joined a gym that had a ‘kids club’ babysitting service in it. They give you a pager that goes off if your baby needs you — otherwise, you’re free for up to two hours (to work out, sauna, and shower!). I can’t even tell you what a self-care game-changer it has been to incorporate this into my week. You are still close to your kids, and you can be with them at a moment’s notice, so you don’t feel the usual ‘mom guilt’... and yet, you feel worlds away — alone and at peace to recharge and focus on yourself.” – Natalie Telyatnikov, 32, Founder of Better Postpartum, an online program that helps moms prepare for a healthier and happier postpartum and beyond)
10. Journal
“Self-care is a huge priority for me, especially since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) eight-and-a-half years ago. One of my most important self-care rituals is journal-writing. I’m a bit compulsive: I started daily journaling at age 11 (over 33 years ago), and I’ve written every day since — more than 12,000 entries.
“Over the years, journal-writing has become an instinct and a necessity, as natural as eating or sleeping, and is the best way for me to end each day. It helps me examine and process daily events, giving me a deeper understanding and a sense of closure. Writing is a release and a way to let go, a natural stress-reliever and antidepressant. It allows me both to express gratitude and to purge frustration, to vent and rage without consequence. In a small way, it also lets me capture time — always so fleeting and elusive — and preserve important memories.
“Creating a personal narrative is a powerful tool for self-exploration. It has helped me to better understand my own responses and behaviors and to track my MS symptoms. Those of us with chronic disease or who struggle with conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or insomnia are particularly likely to benefit from journaling and may even see an improvement in mood and general well-being.”– Lisa Doggett, 44, family physician and author of White Spots and Black Holes: A Doctor’s Transformation from Caregiver to Patient, which is seeking publication
