Self-care…we’ve heard of it, we know we should do it, but sometimes it can be so dang hard to implement!

Why is that? If you’re anything like me, then you tend to practice self-care at one of two times: 1) on that extremely random and rare day when you have nothing else going on (like, during a snowstorm when everything gets canceled, perhaps?); or 2) you’ve reached the end of your rope and you’re completely burned out and if you don’t take a break, you might explode!

We’ve all heard the usual types of self-care: bubble baths, massages, listening to music, etc. And while I certainly prescribe to the whole bubble bath and massage routine (best thing I’ve ever worked into my monthly budget!), there are times when I need more variety, when I don’t feel like soaking in a tub until I’m a prune, or my monthly massage is still two weeks away. While these are excellent forms of self-care, they feel more like splurges, and certainly not something I can do everyday or immediately in the moment when I feel myself needing a break from stress.

So, what are some ways I can care for myself that don’t require a line item in my budget and that I can use in an unforeseen, particularly stressful moment? Here are some ideas I’ve found that have been helpful for me personally:

1. Breathe in the crisp, cool winter air. This one I found rather accidentally! The other morning, I was leaving the gym, thinking about everything on my plate for the coming day. I stopped for a moment, and took a deep breath, and as I did, despite the cold, I felt refreshed, like I had just taken a big drink of water. I found myself noticing that the air felt cleaner somehow than in other seasons. Whether or not it actually is cleaner, I don’t know, but the cool shock to my system felt instantly refreshing, not to mention the effect of paying attention to my breath kept me grounded in the present moment and gave me energy to go about my next task of the day.
2. Buy yourself some flowers. I’ve found that I love bringing in natural elements when I can’t actually be out in the natural elements. According to Teleflora, flowers and indoor plants not only brighten the interior of your home, they can brighten your mood as well. They oxygenate the air, which boosts brain cells, and helps increase memory and concentration. Floral scents, like lavender and rosemary, can help with relaxation and reduction of tensions.
3. Schedule a break for yourself and keep the appointment. Whether it be two minutes, twenty minutes, or two hours, schedule a break for yourself and keep the appointment! Planning what you’re going to do during the break can be helpful in making sure you follow through with the break, but if you’re able to separate yourself from whatever you’re taking a break from, not planning it out is ok too. The point is to just take a break!
4. Prioritize. This can be especially helpful for me if I’m feeling overwhelmed with everything I have to get done. Pour yourself a cup of tea and sit down with a pen and paper. Make a list of everything that comes to your mind that you need to get done. Then go through and prioritize. Sometimes, writing everything out can relieve some the burden, and give us a feeling of ownership over the tasks we need to accomplish rather than feeling like the tasks own us! Prioritize by considering the timeliness of each task, importance of each task, desire to complete each task, etc.
5. Do a quick body scan. Notice any area in which you feel tension. Gently stretch that area, and as you breathe, imagine breathing directly into that part of your body. For me, my tension sits squarely between my neck and shoulders, and sometimes I notice that my shoulders are hunched. Taking this moment to do a quick body scan can help me “un-hunch” and stretch out.

Last week on Instagram, I asked folks how they practice self-care and what they would do if they had more time to practice self-care. Responses I received largely fell into a couple of broader categories: developing hobbies (sewing, gardening, walking, etc); and scheduling time off work. What are some of the ways you practice self-care? What are some things you’d do if you had more time or made self-care more of a priority? Regardless of whether or not they fall into the categories of hobbies or time off, self-care may look different for you than for your BFF. The first step in practicing self-care is acknowledging that that is, in and of itself, more than okay!