13 Self-Care Ideas & A Day Routine For Busy People

Self-care! It’s not just a word; it’s medicine for your mind. It should be considered a responsibility towards oneself.  But sadly, it’s easy to say but difficult to practice.

I understand you have loads of responsibilities, possibly even working on Sundays. Or you might be a single parent who is always juggling between your child care and office work.

However, consider this question too:  How long can you keep yourself energized for the daily load of work without nurturing yourself?

Yes! A little self-care is not selfish! If you manage your burdens mindfully, self-care can be a part of your routine.

How To Develop Self-Care Attitude

Taking care of yourself is very important if you don’t want to collapse later on. Here is how you can think about taking care of yourself in a good way.

1. Change Your Perspective

First, change how you see self-care. It’s not selfish; it’s like putting money in your mental health bank.

When you take care of yourself, you sort your life stuff with a more refreshing mind.

2. No Guilt Allowed

Secondly, you don’t feel bad about taking time for yourself. Remind yourself, how would you help others if your cup is empty?

Taking care of yourself is like putting on your oxygen mask first.

3. Set Rules for You

Do you hesitate to say no? If yes, first learn to say ‘no’ when you need to. It’s your right to set rules about your personal time.

This helps you keep a good balance.

4. Make Time, Don’t Find Time

How would you get me time when you don’t put it on priority?

So, you should not wait for a free moment. Make time on purpose for yourself. Treat self-care like an important appointment; because it is!

5. Small Wins Matter

Self-care isn’t the race where you must win. It’s not about perfection; it’s about doing things regularly.

So, make small, steady efforts that would make a big difference.

6. Know the Signs

If you regularly focus on self-care, you gradually recognise the signs when you need to take care of yourself most.

It helps prevent you from getting super vulnerable or burned out. Thus, self-care helps take care of your mental health.

7. Do You, Your Way

As I already said, it’s not a race. You don’t need to copy others. Make self-care fit you.

What makes someone else happy might not work for you, and that’s totally cool.

Ideas For Busy People

1. One-Minute Breaks

Take one-minute breaks throughout the day. You can use them to do different things mindfully as per your choice.

• Close your eyes and focus on your breath. It will relax you.
• Think about your dreams. It will refresh your energy.
• Have a celebrity crush? Watch 2-3 reels and feel rejuvenated.
• Interested in art or music, watch a short video on YouTube related to it
• Fond of reading? Read an article on your favourite topic.

2. Lunchtime Escape

Use your lunch break as an escape. You can go for a short walk listen to a podcast, or simply enjoy your favorite meal.

Make a playlist of mood-boosting songs in advance, and tune in to them. Music works like magic especially when things get rough.

3. Tech free Hour

Designate an hour each day for a digital detox. Disconnect from emails and social media to recharge without constant notifications.

You can do the following things at this time:

• Go shopping alone and buy some awesome new collection of dresses you have never tried before.
• Go to a coffee shop, order your favourite coffee, and read a book or magazine.
• Feed the birds. The chirping of birds relaxes your brain. It is a scientifically proven fact.

4. Power Naps

This won’t let you get tired. So, try to include short power naps during breaks.

Even a 10-15 minute nap can provide a quick energy boost and improve focus.

5. Expressive Journaling

During the day, we go through several emotions like triggers, sadness, and happiness. If you engage in expressive journaling, you will unload your thoughts and feelings.

It’s a quick way to release emotional stress and gain mental clarity.

6. Automate and Delegate

Learn to delegate tasks that can be automated or delegated. You don’t need to do everything on your own.

For example, teach your kids to clean their room. At the workplace too, you can hire people for different responsibilities.

It frees up your time for essential self-care.

7. Quick Desk Stretches

Quick desk workouts like desk stretches are very helpful. Include them throughout the day to ease tension and improve energy levels.

They will protect you from several diseases.

8. Tech-Free Evenings

Dedicate one evening a week to being tech-free. Use this time for hobbies, reading, or simply unwinding without screens.

• Watch your favourite movie of your childhood times, it will refresh good memories and you will enjoy your favourite movie once more.
• Let a pet help you, a pet brings a boost to our lives.
• Refresh old memories. See old photo albums with your friend.
• Invest in self-care tools like a massage chair or a leg & foot massager so you can destress your body after a long hectic day.

9. Tech-Free Wind Down

Establish a tech-free wind-down routine before bedtime. This helps disconnect from work-related stress and promotes better sleep.

Sleeping well is the most important factor to keep your mind happy and cheerful. So, optimize your sleep.

10. Try some courageous things. They give you self-confidence as well as a boost to your mind.

11. Evaluate yourself as a person. This way, you can learn from your mistakes, spend time with yourself and forgive yourself.

12. Do some exercise such as running for mental health. If you do not have time to go to the gym, invest in an exercise cycle. Invest in fitness equipment to stay motivated.

13. Make a handy journal of mental health habits. Try to develop them slowly one by one. You can target like this: one habit per month.

Day Routine For Busy People

Morning

1. Wake Up Snuggly (6:30 AM):

Get up in your cosiest spot with a warm blanket. Sip on your favourite tea and take a moment to wake up slowly.

2. Yummy Breakfast (7:00 AM):

Make a breakfast that makes you happy!

It could be a fun smoothie bowl or some healthy breakfast options like veg momos, Moong Dal Chaunka, or sprouts Uttapam to start your day with a smile.

3. Desk Dance (8:00 AM):

Break up your morning work with a mini dance party at your desk. Put on your favourite music and have a little dance to shake off stress.

Midday

4. Nature Break (noon):

Use your lunch break to step outside. Even if it’s just in your backyard or a nearby park, fresh air can make you feel good.

5. No Phone Lunch (12:30 PM):

Keep your lunchtime free from phones. Put your phone away and enjoy your meal without any digital distractions.

Afternoon

6. Get Creative (2:00 PM):

Have a little creativity break. Doodle, write something funny or try making a simple origami to break up the afternoon.

7. DIY Energy Boost (3:30 PM):

Create a fast DIY energizing mist by mixing water with a pleasant scent. Spray it on yourself for a quick energy boost.

Evening

8. Relax Without Screens (6:00 PM):

Create an “unplug and unwind” time. Turn off non-essential devices. Dim the lights, and do something calm like reading or gentle stretching.

9. Tasty Dinner Adventure (7:00 PM):

Make dinner an adventure. Try new flavours. Cook something different, or have a meal that feels like a treat.

Night

10. No Screens Before Bed (8:00 PM):

Keep away from screens an hour before bedtime. It helps you relax before sleep.

11. Dreamy Thoughts (9:00 PM):

Before bed, think about something that makes you happy. Imagine a place or situation that brings you joy.

12. Cozy Sleep (10:00 PM):

Make your bedroom super cosy with blankets and dim lights. Take a few minutes to relax before falling asleep peacefully.

Myths

Myth 1: “Self-Care is Selfish”

Truth: No, it’s not. Self-care rejuvenates your body and mind from daily tiredness.

When you feel good, you can help others too in a better way.

Myth 2: “Self-Care Requires a Lot of Time”

Truth: It’s a misconception. You can take care of yourself without interrupting your work. Start with small things.

Go for a quick walk, take a short break.  It can make a big difference in how you feel.

Myth 3: “Self-Care is a One-Size-Fits-All Concept”

Truth: How can it be the same for everyone? Everyone has different choices & interests. And what is self-care?

It’s the concept of giving yourself some time and enjoying what you love.

Myth 4: “Self-Care is Only About Pampering”

Truth: First off, pampering is not a bad thing. Secondly, it’s just one part of self-care. Self-care includes all the things that I have mentioned above.

It teaches you to grow as a person and make choices that match your values.

Myth 5: “Self-Care is Only for Those with Spare Time”

Truth: If that were the case, only lazy people would be practising self-care.

Science says that everyone needs self-care (ref). It’s listening to your needs even if you’re super busy.

Myth 6: “Self-Care is a Luxury”

Truth: Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a must-have.

Your mental, emotional, and physical health are super important for a happy life.

Myth 7: “Self-Care is Only for Those Experiencing Hardship”

Truth: Please understand. You would experience hardship & mental breakdown if you don’t practice self-care.

So, it is not just for tough times; it’s for all the time. It helps you stay strong and avoid feeling worn out.

Myth 8: “Self-Care is Exclusively Solo”

Truth: It’s not specific to solo or group things. Doing things alone is cool, but self-care also means doing stuff with others.

Connecting, getting support, and being social are all part of feeling good.

Myth 9: “Self-Care is Only About Spa Days and Massages”

Truth: I never get spas and massages, it means I never do self-care?

Spa days could be nice for those who love. But self-care is more than fancy treatments.

Myth 10: “Self-Care Requires Expensive Products or Services”

Truth: Absolutely not! I never invest in expensive products or services, but I always take care of myself.

You can feel good while doing simple things like meditation, writing in a journal, or a walk outside.

Myth 11: “Self-Care is a Quick Fix for Stress”

Truth: It’s not a quick fix but if you do it regularly, it would curb your stress.

You stay strong and handle stress better over time.

Myth 12: “Self-Care is Only for Extroverts”

Truth: It’s nothing to do with your personality.

Self-care means finding what works for you, no matter who you are and what you do.

Myth 13: “Self-Care Means Ignoring Responsibilities”

Truth: Nope. It means you should find the balance between your responsibilities and mental health.

What Famous Personalities Said About Self-care

1. Audre Lorde: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence; it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”
2. Eleanor Brownn: “You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
3. Beyoncé: “We have to care about our bodies and what we put in them. Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health—take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish.”
4. Oprah Winfrey: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
5. Brene Brown: “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”
6. Rupi Kaur: “I do not want to have you to fill the empty parts of me. I want to be full on my own.”
7. Dalai Lama: “Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”
8. Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
9. Deepak Chopra: “The most creative act you will ever undertake is the act of creating yourself.”
10. RuPaul: “If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”

More from the blog:

• How To Improve Yourself Every Day And Why You Should
• 30 Quick Stress Buster Activities (Awaken Your Inner Child)
• Self-acceptance: 11 Ways To Accept Your Reality The Way It Is
• 43 Fun & Productive Things To Do At Home When Bored
• How To Get Peace Of Mind: Figure Out Why You Are Not Happy

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