Believe it or not, I used to think that self care was just a hyped-up term marketers use to promote their products to consumers. I never learned about self care in school… how to practice it and how you should take care of yourself first before you can take care of others.

Yet, practicing self care every day is the foundation to a long term happier and healthier life.

Simple self care every day can change your life.

What is self care?

“Self-care” definition on Google Dictionary is the “practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.” I’d like to add by saying that self care means caring for your health of the body, mind, and soul.

Sometimes, on the media you will see companies describe self care as taking a glamorous bubble bath, treating yourself to a steak dinner, or choosing to go on a weekend spa staycation.

Guess what? Real, every day self care is actually quite BORING.

You don’t have to spend anything to take care of yourself. Effective self care means being more mindful and understanding your needs. It means putting yourself as the priority and taking actions that will help you recharge and relax.

>Related Post: 4 Way to be More Mindful

Simple Self Care Ideas

Body

• doing daily stretches to loosen your muscles

• eating nutrient-rich foods to nourish your body

• work out often to sweat toxins out from you body

• get enough sleep every day

Mind

• practice saying positive things to yourself

• read 10 pages of a book every day

• learn a new skill

• journal daily

• create a positive habit

Soul

• catch up with an old friend

• meditate daily

• daily prayers

• volunteer

• work on a passion hobby

Why is daily self care so important?

So many people take on too much and work super hard without taking care of themselves. Only until they burn out do they begin to practice self care – such as eating healthier or getting enough sleep. I’ve fallen into this trap many times myself.

Burning out means not being able to show up as your best self and do your best work. Sometimes you may not be able to even produce any work. It usually takes some time until you can get back to your normal self again. This can mean a few days of rest, but depending on the situation, it can also take months to recover (or never recover, even).

Without consistent self care practice, you will not get far in life.

If you want to achieve big goals in life, aka live your best life possible, you simply cannot risk having your emotional and physical health fluctuate so much. Having a solid self care practice DAILY is so important. I try to incorporate self care into the first hour after I wake up.

> Related Post: Easy Morning Routines to Start Your Day Right

Practicing self care daily will help you stay consistent and build the momentum you need to keep going in your life. You need the energy to show up every day, stay motivated and curious, and continue doing great work.

Cheers,

Shir

Are you in it for the long haul? What’s your daily self care routine?

Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.