We keep hearing about how important self-care is, and the truth is, we believe self-care really is that important, and sounds like a wonderful idea, in a universe where we have enough time to care for ourselves. The idea of taking some time out of each and every day to be good to ourselves, nourish ourselves, and be present with ourselves sounds like a lovely idea. That said, we don't necessarily have that every day … or, to be honest, every week. So while we may need self-care (and we probably really, really do), we don't always have time to make a whole ritual out of it the way people on the internet seem to like to do. So what's the solution? We came up with 20 different self-care options, some of which nourish the body, some the mind and spirit, which can help us feel centered and relaxed and cared for — and take less than 10 minutes each.
So many things are relaxing to other people but just don't get to be relaxing for moms. For instance, vacations. Any time there's a family vacation, moms are supposed to feel super chill during and after, but often, it's really just extra work, right? Generally, though, there are some great ways to add a little physical relaxation into our routines, even if we only have a few minutes to ourselves. A 10-minute workout can leave us feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle new challenges, and stretches are great after a workout, but are also really, really good for just making us feel awesome even if we haven't done any exercise. But don't forget, 'treating yourself' has nothing to do with money. Self-care doesn't need to cost much: Here are 20 options that are either free or cost less than $5.
Don't Ask Anyone What They Want for Dinner
How easy is this — it's actually the lack of doing something else! Instead of asking the family what they want or checking in with them, we'll just make whatever the heck we're in the mood for, and they can simply say "thanks" for the home-cooked meal.
Take a 10-Minute Nap
We know this isn't always possible because babies are crying and a variety of other issues, but if there's room in the day, a 10-minute nap is one of the best things we can do for increased calm and chill (and our bodies love it, too).
Try an Adult Coloring Book
Even if there's only three minutes in the day, spending a little time chilling the heck out with a grown-up coloring book — with the help of a song we like, maybe — can be really, dramatically soothing.
Do a Few Affirmations
Affirmations can feel really silly, especially when we first start them. Look in the mirror and repeat something positive about ourselves … to ourselves? It sounds like hippie nonsense. But the truth is, it can really make us feel lighter. Try one of these:
I don't sweat the small stuff.
I am a courageous person and I stand up for myself.
I choose happiness. I am proud of my accomplishments and what I have been blessed with.
Video Chat With a Friend
Anyone with kids knows it's so hard to really spend the kind of time with our friends that we used to. So instead of putting off hanging out, why not spend five or 10 minutes on a video chat with someone who makes us feel great?
Throw a Night Cream On (Even in the Day)
If there's no time for a big fancy skin care routine (and there isn't), one great little trick to feeling good is throwing on a heavy night cream. We love Nivea, which is about $1 for one of those little metal discs. As long as we're in for the rest of the day, it's a great choice!
Try a Deep Breathing Exercise
There are a lot of breathing exercises out there, but if we only have one minute in the day to chill out by ourselves, a breathing exercise is the best way to do it, and we love this one: The 4-7-8 exercise. We breathe in through the nose for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and release through the mouth for eight seconds. Repeat a few times until the relaxation sets in.
Read a Poem
Turn off the phone and pick up a book of poems from the bookstore or a library. Read through one short, one-page poem, and then give it a minute to set in, and then take two minutes to just quietly think about it. No matter what's going on with the day, it'll help.
Wake Up 10 Minutes Early (Hear Us Out)
What's infinitely better than that whole hour dedicated to writing a novel that never actually happens because there isn't actually time to dedicate a whole hour basically ever? Ten minutes. Ten minutes is always better than zero minutes.
Make a Glass of Spa Water
"Spa water" sounds so fancy and extra, but the truth is, it's just some fruit cut up into a glass of tap water. Toss a cut-up strawberry or a couple of cucumber slices in a glass of agua, and it'll increase our hydration and taste delicious and special. Really, this is just like making a cup of cold tea (although making tea is also a valid option).
Stretch It Out
If there are only a few minutes for self-care today, one option is to do a stretch and a counter-stretch — for instance, doing a cobra position, as it's called in yoga, which stretches the back out, and then counter it with child's pose. They both stretch the back in different ways and feel great when paired together.
Have a Super Quick Mini Dance Party
If there's only three minutes of free time available in the day, turn on a favorite tracks and just throw a serious, one-person dance party in the bedroom. It'll instantly life any mood.
Savor a Snack
We love to really focus in on a piece of fruit that's perfectly in season, a piece of dark chocolate that we can eat slowly over a whole five-minute period, really enjoying every bit of it, or a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds we can nibble a little bit at a time.
Put the Phone in Airplane Mode
For days when we're just overwhelmed by everything and everyone, turn the phone to airplane mode for 10 minutes. Even if nobody was going to text in that span, it'll feel really calming — and the texts will arrive once it's turned back on.
Watch a Baby Animal Video on YouTube
Yes, we should be limiting our screen time. But also yes, screens can sometimes display really important, great things — including the deeply important, deeply awesome genre of baby animal videos. This is self-care. We swear.
Sit Down in a Sunny Spot
With only a couple of minutes free on a sunny day, just take a seat in a little spot of sunshine (indoors or out!), face the sun, and soak up a couple of rays. Any little problem is just going to feel way better after.
Write
Whether or not writing is something that we feel strongly connected to as an artistic craft, writing down our feelings can help all of us process issues and concerns, and help us identify desires and needs. It's a wonderful tool.
Take a 10-Minute Walk
If we have 10 minutes in the day to ourselves, few things we can do for our mind and body are better than going for a brisk walk. Ideas come to us, it's a little bit of exercise, and we can take in a bit of nature, too.
Throw Something Out
Declutter a desk, unfriend a "friend" on Facebook who just gives us anxiety, or pitch a present from the mother-in-law that was a total swing-and-miss (OK, just throw it in the charity box — still feels good, huh?). Tossing stuff is an amazing feeling.
Oil Those Cuticles
We may not have time for a super-extra face mask every day, but we definitely have time to throw a little oil onto our cuticles and rub it around. Use cooking oil, like olive oil, or coconut oil, so it doesn't even cost anything extra!
