If you’d like to lead a prosperous, healthy, and fulfilling life, you’ll want to make time for something called ‘self-care’.

This is a term that’s become prominent in the last few years, but the practice has actually been around for much longer than that.

Even if you’re a veteran self-carer, it’s worth reminding yourself how to do quick self care, so the whole self-care idea doesn’t get too overwhelming.

 

What Is Self-care?

 

Self-care, as a term, was common in certain corners of the medical community as early as the 1950s. According to Teen Vogue, it was actually revived later by activists who leaned into practices like mindfulness and yoga (which have since become mainstream).

With the launch of the internet and the proliferation of wellness blogs, ‘self-care’ went from being a niche concern to a mainstream one. There’s even a ‘self-care week’, which runs through the middle of November.

 

Why Does Self Care Matter?

Self-care is not just a fancy way to pamper yourself – it has several actual benefits.

These tend to be most pronounced when self care is consistently practiced over a long period of time.

By practicing proper self-care, people notice:

• a reduction in stress;
• improved physical health;
• higher self-esteem;
• better relationship with themselves.

 

Making Time For Quick Self Care Activities

 

Making time for self-care can be difficult, especially if you have a crowded work schedule.

Doing a little planning for quick self care can help you to make the time you need.

For example, you might kick off every day with a ten-minute yoga, or 5-minute meditation session. You don’t need fancy, long morning routines to have a self care moment to yourself every morning.

Also, if you make a  commitment to do a certain small activity at a certain point every day, you’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Note: it’s very important that you don’t come to regard your self-care activities as a mandatory commitment – as that in itself might be a source of stress.

So, if you miss your slot, forgive yourself and do it next time.

 

A Few Examples Of Quick Self Care Activities

 

The activities that fall under ‘quick self-care’ are the ones that don’t require a lot of time, and whose benefits can be felt immediately.

For example, doing a 10 minute workout every day might be considered self-care, as it equals care for your body and mental health.

You can also spend your self care time caring for small things that directly impact how you feel and function.

For example, you might shop for new contact lenses to deal with ongoing issues with your vision, or look for new shoes to support your idea to start jogging.

More broadly, quick self care can include just about anything that promotes relaxation and allows you to take your mind off work for a little while.

A 15-minute soak in the bath, an express treatment at a beauty spa, or even a 10-minute decluttering session, might all qualify.

Whatever works to relax you and give you a feeling of wellbeing, is perfect.

Let’s take a look at 5 helpful quick self care activities that create the most benefit.

 

5 Quick Self Care Activities To Try

 

Whether you’re running out of time or you simply need to recharge your batteries, these quick self care ideas can help you feel refreshed and energized.

Some of these quick tips include taking a power walk, reading a self-care book, and creating a gratitude journal.

 

1. Take a short power walk

 

Taking a power walk has many benefits.

The most obvious is that it is a low-cost exercise.

You can do it indoors, outdoors, or even at home on your treadmill.

Power walking will improve your cardiorespiratory health and your heart health over time.

Taking a power walk can also be a social activity.

It can also help parents of commuting children reclaim a bit of their time.

If you want to use power walks as a form of quick self care, consider keeping your sessions short.

Another thing to keep in mind is the importance of posture.

The right posture will help you reach your full potential.

In addition to posture, the right footwear will also improve your performance.

Some people are prone to slumping, and this can slow down your progress.

 

2. Read a chapter of self-care book

 

Self care activities like exercising, eating right, or organizing your home, can make you feel better.

But self care books can provide you with more ideas to implement in your own life.

The best self care books should be ones that offer you information on how to get started, as well as tips and tricks for maintaining your routine.

You can also get ideas from books on how to better manage your symptoms of mental illness, if you are dealing with one.

You can also find books on how to better understand your own mind and body.

A good self care book should also be able to provide you with tips and tricks for dealing with stress.

 

3. Write in a gratitude journal

 

Keeping a gratitude journal is a simple way to help you focus on the positive things in your life.

It can improve your mood, increase your confidence, and strengthen your social ties.

It’s also a great way to short-circuit negative thought loops.

To use a gratitude journal as a part of your quick self care activities, simply write down three things you’re grateful for each day.

You can use a journal, a notebook, or a notebook app.

You can also use an electronic device, such as a phone or an iPad.

If you don’t want to write, you can use a text message or a sticky note.

 

4. Pamper yourself with a quick self care mask

 

Creating a self-care mask for your skin is a great way to add a little bit of pampering to your life.

You can add a few ingredients from your own kitchen to create a homemade face mask that will help regenerate and nourish your skin in as little as 10 minutes.

These homemade masks are also safe and will save you money:

• To make an avocado mask, you’ll need to mash a quarter of an avocado and mix it with some oat bran or manuka honey.

  Leave the mask on your skin for about 10 minutes before you wash it off with warm water.

• You can also make a mask out of papaya, which has exfoliating enzymes.
• You can also use cocoa powder mixed with honey, which helps boost circulation and soothes skin.

 

5. Connect with others

 

Keeping in touch with friends and family is good for your mental health and can be a great form of quick self care – especially if you live far from your loved ones.

When you are feeling lonely or stressed out, the need for human contact becomes even more crucial.

Thankfully, you can reestablish your social connections in a variety of ways.

The best part is, these reconnections don’t have to take a lot of time – simply call somebody you love for a quick chat.

If you don’t have anybody to call, a quick search on Google or Bing will reveal a host of free social networks that you can join.

The most obvious choice is Facebook, but there are plenty of other sites to choose from.

For example, you can join the Reddit community, or sign up for a local support group.

These can provide the best of both worlds – a chance to socialize with like-minded individuals, as well as a nudge in the right direction if you need it.

Like these quick self care ideas?

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