
Self-care can be thought of in two primary ways: micro and macro.
Micro self-care are the small daily touches you can add to your life that make a world of difference.
In fact, you may already be well aware of the importance of self-care or may have been practicing small acts of self-care throughout your life. Maybe after a stressful day at work you opted for a yoga class instead of a bucket of popcorn and your favorite flick. Or, perhaps you schedule regular breaks to meditate or go for a mindful walk. Wherever you may be starting in your journey, learning to be intentional about integrating self-care throughout your daily life is an optimal way to maintain your overall well-being and happiness.
The list here identifies three facets of micro self-care: grounding, energizing, and relaxing.
Grounding Self-Care Practices
- Grounding practices can be thought of as those that help us reconnect to our deepest selves. They can include the following:
- Drinking a cup of tea with warming spices, like ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric
- Connecting to nature by taking a walk in the park or simply going outside
- Tending to a garden or even an indoor plant
- Eastern practices, such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and yoga
- Gentle stretches that can be done at home on a mat or in your bed
- Using your five senses to connect to the present moment
Energizing Self-Care Practices
Energizing practices are those that uplift us when we feel overburdened by the demands of the world. These practices can energize but also soothe.
Examples include:
- Active forms of yoga, such as Vinyasa or Hatha
- Taking a brisk walk in the park, or hiking by a river or meadow
- Self-massage techniques that involve gentle tapping
- Singing
- Dancing
- Cleaning and decluttering a space
- Laughter! Keep a collection of stories, memes, or jokes to look at when you’re stressed
Relaxing Self-Care Practices
Relaxing self-care practices are those we are most familiar with in our culture. You’ve probably seen images of someone stressed out soaking in a bath or at a spa. While these images may be readily available in your mind, the realm of relaxing self-care practices extends far beyond.
- Sleeping, resting, or taking a nap, even if only for 10 to 15 minutes
- Meditating, doing deep breathing, or sitting in silence
- Using water to unwind (for example, taking a bath, lying by a pool, or trying out a floatation tank)
- Using a mandala coloring book designed for adults
- Giving yourself a spa treatment
Can you think of any others?