Self Care Isn’t Just a Trend
Self-care is a big trend at the moment.But just because it is a trend, that doesn’t mean it isn’t also an extremely valuable activity, and one that we should ALL have been doing right from the start.
Simply put, self-care is looking after yourself.It means taking a moment to remind yourself you’re doing okay, to enjoy yourself, to pamper yourself, and to eat well.These simple changes mean you attack life feeling and looking better, and they mean you actually get some enjoyment out of it along the way.
Seems simple, and yet it’s something many people still don’t do.So read on, and let’s take a look at 30 easy ways you can start looking out for number one (that’s you by the way.)
And since I’m super passionate about the emotional health benefits of essential oils, I’m sprinkling in a few tips on how to incorporate essential oils.
You’ll find how to use essential oils for many of the self care steps. Essential Oils aren’t required, but can make self care so much more effective, easier, and enjoyable!
Why is Self Care Important?
Self care is an essential aspect of mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. How you treat your body, how you take care of your soul, and how you give back to the world around you is one of the most important things you can do. Self care benefits all areas of your life, but it’s especially important for happiness and success.
Self care can be a great idea for a quick boost of energy and to alleviate stress. But is it the same as taking care of yourself? Self care is not about taking care of yourself, but helping you get the most out of everything you do. Taking care of yourself is about listening to your body and doing things that nurture your mind, body, and soul. That way, you can get more out of everything you do.
It’s no secret that we all need good self-care. The benefits of self-care can’t be quantified by money or time, but when you take time out for yourself, you’re definitely going to feel the benefits. Here are 5 benefits of self care that you can benefit from.
1) Better relationships
2) Improved mental health
3) You’ll have more energy for you and your family
4) You’ll have a stronger immune system
5) You’ll sleep better
If you take anything away from this article, it should be this: Self-care is important. Whether it’s a full or partial day away from your business, or taking an hour (or two) each week to pamper yourself, self-care is crucial to your mental and physical health. Sometimes the best stress relievers and motivators are those that are completely unexpected.
Continue reading to learn what self-care looks like and 30 specific thing you can do for self care.
I encourage you to download my free Self Care Habit Tracker and jot down several things you want to do this month to practice self care. You can print a new tracker each month to make sure you are taking care of yourself.
30 Easy Ways You can do Self-Care (with some help from essential oils)
1. Meditate
Meditation means finding a quiet moment to direct your attention and focus on your state of mind.It is linked closely with mindfulness, and it can help you to find moments of calm where otherwise they didn’t exist.Not only does this teach you to cope with life’s biggest challenges, it also helps you to develop your grey matter!
Try incorporating Sandalwood essential oil while you meditate. Sandalwood essential oil is actually the oil of sacred devotion and it has been used for thousands of years to connect in a sacred purpose. Apply one or two drops to the pulse points right on your wrist, then take a few deep breaths before you start your meditation.
And as you do this with the intention of sacred devotion, it reminds you that this time that you spend in meditation is all for you; it is that time to authentically connect in a sacred way to whatever is on your heart and in your spirit.
Sign up for a 7 Day Self Care Challenge
You’ll get worksheets, checklists, self assessments and more tools to help you lower stress, have better relationships, develop better habits, and feel better physically and emotionally.
2. Spend Time Outdoors
In beautiful lush environments, ideally!This triggers key hormonal changes, and helps to boost your health.It’s also great for stimulating a sense of calm, not to mention creativity
Be sure to bring your bug spray. I like to use an all natural spray that is free of harmful and scary chemicals. TerraShieldis my go-to any time I am spending time outdoors. I have found that it works just as well, and even better, than those bug sprays full of Deet.
3. Keep a Photo by Your Bed
Keeping photos of friends to hand is a great way to remind yourself of the people you love.We evolved in small tribes, and studies show that seeing “faces” first thing in the morning can release key beneficial hormones.
4. Have the Right Grooming Regime
Grooming yourself is important if you want to look and feel your best.Moreover though, the simple act of taking care of yourself is an important ritual that can help you to find calm and release tension.
5. Exercise
Exercise improves your health and your looks, but also stimulates the release of beneficial neurotransmitters for an immediate mood boost.
Deep Blueis a popular item to have on hand before and after exercising.
You can massage this all natural cooling menthol cream into sore muscles and joints to give your body some TLC if you’ve overdone it.
6. Call Friends
Keeping photos around does wonders as we’ve seen, but better yet is to call a friend.This is especially important if you feel lonely from time to time.But either way, calling friends can help you to encourage a larger support network which is amazing for your psychological health.The same goes for family.
The best part?It helps them too, which is amazing for your own mood.Why not call on hands-free while cooking?
7. Message Friends
Messaging friends is an equally valuable way to stay in touch which can be just as healthy.Send a joke, or ask how a friend is doing, and it can open up a conversation that leaves you BOTH in much better moods.
8. Use Positive Mantras
Positive mantras are phrases that you can repeat to boost your mood or confidence.The great thing about this, is that it will not only offer a short term benefit, but in the long-term it can actually raise your general mood and esteem.That’s because thinking this way can become habitual and internalized.
Need some ideas?Here are a few positive mantras along with an essential oil to go along with each.
Apply a couple drops of the essential oil to your pulse points, over your heart or in a diffuser and the speak your mantra.
9. Make Note of Complements
It is often said that we give much greater importance to insults and things that go badly, than we do to complements and things that go well.
To put a change to this, write down all the kind things you hear people say to you.Not only does this help you engage with those comments more, but it means that whenever you need to, you can read back through those comments!
10. List Things You’re Grateful For
This is called ‘cultivating gratitude’ and it’s something many of us could benefit from.Essentially, it means thinking about things that you’re thankful for, and then taking the time to remind yourself of those things.
This in turn allows you to focus on positive emotions and to remind yourself to enjoy what you already have – instead of always chasing after what is next.
11. Find Time for “You Time” Every Day
If you go through life constantly rushing from one job to the next, then you will never be able to actually enjoy your time.Not only that, but “you time” will allow you to pursue hobbies and interests that make you happy.
One favorite way to do this is to take a Lavender Epsom Salt Bath. Close the bathroom door to the world, play your favorite relaxing music, and just relax and enjoy the quiet.
12. Get Enough Sleep
Getting sleep is crucial to your health, your mood, and even your long-term psychological well being.You owe it to yourself to get at least 8 hours.
If you have a hard time falling asleep at night, like so many people do, try taking the Serenity Sleep Complex and a Copaiba capsule about 20 minutes before you want to fall asleep.
Also diffuse some calming essential oils like Lavender and Breathe. You’ll be out in no time, and sleep through the night for a full night’s rest.
13. Dress Yourself Well
Dressing well ensures you look better, which in turn means that others will perceive you differently.The “law of attraction” tells us that this can eventually lead to great things happening for us.
Not only that, but when you dress yourself well, you send a sign to yourself and to others that you believe you are worth adorning in those nice clothes.
This doesn’t mean you have to go buy a bunch of expensive clothes. It simply means getting dressed for the day, and looking presentable instead of those comfy sweatpants and t-shirt.
14. Decorate Your Home
Decorating your home well can mean surrounding yourself with things that make you happy.A tidy and well-presented home is also great for reducing stress that can come from clutter and disorganization.While you might not feel like you have the time, taking some time out of your schedule to clear your home and make it look beautiful can ensure that everything else you do feels and goes better.
As I mentioned in the previous point, you don’t need to go out and buy a bunch of expensive knick knacks or furniture. What this does mean is to put out mementos and keep sakes that mean something to you and that make you happy, and keep the clutter cleaned up. You will be less stressed and happier.
Sign up for a 7 Day Self Care Challenge
You’ll get worksheets, checklists, self assessments and more tools to help you lower stress, have better relationships, develop better habits, and feel better physically and emotionally.
15. Take a Vacation
Just take the time off! This may even mean a stay-cation. Too many people feel they have to work extremely hard all the time, and that they can never take a day off.If they do, then surely it will mean that they’ll be slacking, and that they will look bad in the eyes of their employers.They’ll be shirking responsibilities, leaving it to others, and doing a poor job!
You know what?If you take a day off today, no one is going to notice.And when you look back on your life years from now, you won’t even remember.What you will remember is being ill from being overworked, or missing out on amazing opportunities.
If you’re planning on taking a stay-cation, make sure you bring a spray sanitizer with you and spray ALL THE THINGS. Airplane seats and armrests, the fold out tray, rental car surfaces, menus, all the surfaces in a hotel room including the TV remote, counters, and nightstands.
I’m a germaphobe, but right now, you can never be too careful. Here’s one of my favorite go-to essential oil recipes –DIY On Guard Hand Sanitizer. Whip up a few and throw them in your travel bag.
16. Cut Out Toxic People
A toxic person is anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself regularly.While you can’t easily cut someone out entirely if you will be encountering them in your daily life, what you can do is to create boundaries and avoid spending more time than necessary with them.You don’t owe these people anything, and they won’t change.
If you have a hard time setting boundaries, you can reach for one of these essential oils to help you emotionally.
17. Learn to Say No
Many of us struggle to say no.This results in us taking on too much responsibility, and committing to too many different things.Learn to say no, and to spend time at home recuperating without a “reason.”Life will get much easier and happier.
18. Enjoy Healthy Treats
Good food triggers a spike in happiness and reward hormones.If it’s unhealthy, this enjoyment will be short lived and you’ll soon feel stressed and anxious again.But if it’s healthy, then the beneficial nutrients will help to improve your mood long term, not to mention fortifying your mind and body.
Check out this recipe for a healthy tangerine fruit dip. It’s delicious a sneaky way to help you eat more fruit!
19. Take Sick Days
As before, it is important to recognize that there is no honor in refusing to ever take time off work.This goes double when it comes to sick days.Your health is more important than what your boss thinks of you, so if you’re ill, do everyone a favor and call in sick!
20. See the Doctor
Likewise, when you’re ill you should see a doctor.Think about what you would tell a family member.If they were limping and spluttering, you’d tell them to see a doctor.Show yourself the same respect and kindness!
21. Use Loving Kindness Meditation
Loving kindness meditation is a form of meditation where you focus on feelings of love and happiness that are directed toward yourself.You will be cultivating these emotions, so as to increase their abundance.It’s a great practice that can help you feel warm and content throughout the day
Essential Oils can enhance meditation when applied to pulse points and used in a diffuser. Frankincense, Sandalwood, Neroli, and Vetiver are all great choices to use before and during loving kindness meditation.
22. Pet a Dog or Cat
It’s one of the best ways to trigger the release of feel good hormones.If you have the time and money to own a pet, then this is one of the best forms of therapy out there!
If you are a dog owner, be sure to be educated about which essential oils are safe to use around your pet. This article contains a list of the top essential oils for dogs and their uses, as well as some important safety information.
23. Keep Plants and Flowers in Your Home
Plants and flowers can help boost your mood and health in many ways.Looking at greenery can help you relax and stimulate creativity for instance, while the oxygen production may also be beneficial.Plus, caring for something is another great way to feel better about yourself.
24. Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water is extremely important for your health.The more water you drink, the more you’ll boost your energy level, mood, sleep, and more.
An easy hack to help you drink more water is to add your choice of citrus oils to your water. Green Mandarin, Lemon, Wild Orange are all delicious!
25 Enjoy “Bubble Time”
Bubble time is a term I coined.It essentially means enjoying tiny moments of complete peace and quiet and basking in the freedom you have during those moments.For example, if you are taking an elevator somewhere, then you can take that time to simply relax.It’s only a 1 or 2 minute journey, but in this ‘bubble time’ you don’t need to worry about anything else!
26. Eat More Slowly
The more slowly you eat, the more you’ll enjoy your food.This is also extremely good for your health, as eating quickly can lead to weight gain (we don’t recognize when we’re full), indigestion, and much more.
If this is something you struggle with, you may be interested in my article on 12 Most Popular Essential Oils for Metabolism and Weight loss. There’s tips in there on how to help feel full and prevent overeating.
27. Make a Note of Things You’re Looking Forward To
When you spend your life going from one crisis to another, or simply carrying out jobs, it can be hard to remember just how much exciting there is to look forward to.These don’t need to be big things like holidays (though that works too of course!).
They can just as easily be tiny things: things like new movies that are coming out, the breakfast cereal you will have tomorrow, or finishing that book later on.Don’t have things to look forward to?Get some!
28. Hit Snooze
There are so many self-help articles and books telling you how to wake up on time every time.There are countless entrepreneurs and self-help gurus claiming that you should get up at 4am every day.And yet, when the alarm goes off early, you always just find yourself wanting to roll back over and go to sleep.
You know what?You’ve earned it!If it’s the weekend, or if you have a bit of time spare, then hit snooze and enjoy those 10 extra minutes.They won’t kill you!
In fact, chances are that if you’re that tired, then you actually need the time!
29. Learn the Difference Between Success and Happiness
This is a bigger one, but it’s essential.Too many of us equate success to happiness, meaning that we think that ‘doing well’ is the same as ‘living well’.It is not.And in fact, for many of us, success is a trap.
When you start chasing success to the extent that you are no longer taking the time to enjoy your lifestyle, it means that you aren’t going to benefit from any of that success.
Learn to enjoy each step along the way.And moreover, think about what the lifestyle you’re chasing after will actually mean for your energy levels, your stress, and the time you get to spend with your family.
30. Use a Daylight Lamp
The last one is another easy one: get a daylight lamp!This is a light that mimics the rising of the sun, and creates a very similar wavelength.The value of such a lamp lies in its ability to affect your hormones and mental state similarly to the real sun.This can combat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and drastically raise your mood.
This is an example of a daylight lamp. There are lots of models to choose from.
At the time I wrote this article,this particular modelwas the most popular model on Amazon with free prime shipping. It had a clickable coupon, too!
Check the current price here. If you can snag it under $50 that’s a great deal!
Sign up for a 7 Day Self Care Challenge
You’ll get worksheets, checklists, self assessments and more tools to help you lower stress, have better relationships, develop better habits, and feel better physically and emotionally.
Wrap up of How to be happy by doing self care and using essential oils
So, there you have it! 30 easy things you can do to boost your mood, to fix your health, and to be happier and more content. With some essential oils sprinkled in to help you along the way.
Be sure to sign up for the7 Day Self Care Email Challenge! You’ll feel better emotionally & physically, handle stress better, and be HAPPIER!
But the most important takeaway is simply that you should be doing something to enhance your mood and wellbeing.It’s okay to need a bit of TLC from time to time, and it’s okay to be the one to provide it!