What is Micro Self-Care?

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?