Small habits are what lead to big changes in our lives. In the last couple of years I realized I needed to start taking better care of myself. I needed to make self-care a priority instead of being last on my daily to-do list. In the past year I’ve changed some of my daily habits regarding my personal care and mental health, especially as I have struggled with anxiety. I’m sharing eight things I do every day to make myself feel the best I can and to make everyday life easier.
- Skincare: I make sure that if nothing else I wash my face and moisturize it, especially in the winter. I don’t spend a lot of time on this; it’s a quick application in the morning and before bed. Doing this helps me start and end my day on the right note.
- Meditate: I meditate daily before bed to help me relax and fall asleep more easily. I shared a post on my experience with Headspace, which is the app I use for meditation.
- Breakfast: I never skip breakfast. I make sure to always eat a good meal before work, because it’s more difficult for me to concentrate on an empty stomach.
- Tidy: To keep my home in order as much as possible, I tidy three times each day. In the morning as I get myself and the girls ready, during my youngest daughter’s naptime, and after their bedtime. It’s just a quick tidy session (maybe 5 minutes) that prevents our home from getting too messy and out of control.
- Plan: I write in my planner each night before bed, and it helps me remember in the morning what we have going on and what I need to focus on that day. In the morning I will add specific to-dos.
- Do Something for Me. I try to do something that is just for me and not necessarily productive, like reading a book, talking with a friend, taking a bath or shower, working out, trying a face mask, or stretching.
- Bedtime Routine: I struggled with sleep in the past year, so I have implemented various activities to help me fall asleep more easily, including baths (as I mentioned), skincare, sleep gummies (if needed), reading a chapter in a book vs. using my phone, meditating, etc. Doing the same things before bed every night signals to the brain that it’s time for sleep.
- Set Work Hours: I have set a boundary with myself and my work to log off at a particular time. I rarely work past that unless there is a deadline that must be met, and I know about that ahead of time. When you work from home there’s a temptation to answer work emails at all hours but I try hard not to do that.
As you can see, these daily habits aren’t necessarily groundbreaking but they make a big impact. When I do these things my anxiety is lower and I feel like I “have it together.” Doing these daily activities, when combines with therapy, has improved my life in the past year.
What do you do for yourself each day?
