Taking a self care day may make you feel like you’re selfish and that you’re forgetting about the needs of others. I’ve always struggled with the concept of a self care day, just because of that.
I had to learn that for this one day it’s alright to focus on yourself. It doesn’t mean that you’re forgetting about your friends or family at all.
It means that you’re taking the time to revive and reconnect with yourself. It means that even though you may take care of others in your life, you know that you need to take care of yourself as well.
Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional self care, having a day all to yourself can help you fall back in love with the person you are and take care of your general well-being.
If you’re in need of a self care day, then these simple self care tips I’ve learned will help get you started.
Self Care Day – Physical, Mental, and Spiritual
Physical Self Care
When most people think of self care we immediately think of pampering ourselves for a day. This is actually just one of the aspects of taking care of ourselves.
Our bodies are exposed to injuries and harsh environmental elements that can impact it negatively. If we don’t start taking care of our bodies, then they’ll begin to let us know through illnesses and skin damage.
Some of those things are out of our control, but there are plenty that are within our control. On your self care day, try to take ahold of the things that you can control.
Our physical bodies comprise of five senses (sight, taste, touch, hear, and smell), so you should incorporate each into your self care day.
A simple way of doing so is by beginning your day with a warm bubble bath or steamy shower, while relaxing music is playing. Exfoliate your skin with your favorite body scrub and don’t forget to properly moisturize afterwards.
For the day, wear your most comfortable clothes. If you’re staying at home for the day, wear your favorite pajamas and comfy socks if you want. If you’re heading out, wear your most comfortable outfit.
Cook your favorite meal, order takeout, or go out to eat at your favorite restaurant.
Light scented candles throughout your home or wear your favorite perfume. You can even go buy yourself a bouquet of flowers to add some fragrance to your home.
Watch your favorite movie, visit an art gallery, go for a walk in nature, or watch the stars at night.
Mental Self Care
We oftentimes forget about taking care of ourselves mentally. We’re so worried about not getting physically sick that we tend to put our mental health on the back burner.
This leads to stress, depression, and sometimes worse.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a mental self care day to keep your mind healthy and strong. We exercise our bodies every day, so there’s no shame in doing the same for our minds.
Mental self care isn’t just taking a break from the day to relax and have nothing to think about except the present, even though mindfulness definitely is a part of it.
It includes evaluating what has been stressing you out, what has been an emotional drain in your life, and what hurt are you holding onto that you can let go of.
There are several ways that you can take care of yourself mentally on your self care day.
One of my favorite ways of mentally taking care of myself is to write down my feelings. If I have something I want to express to someone, it’s easier for me to write it in a letter than it is to say it.
Self care journals can also help. Writing down how you feel when you wake up, keeping lists of what you’re grateful for, expressing your dreams, and even writing down random thoughts just to clear your mind may help your mental health.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”There’s nothing wrong with taking a mental self care day to keep your mind healthy and strong. We exercise our bodies every day, so there’s no shame in doing the same for our minds.” quote=”There’s nothing wrong with taking a mental self care day to keep your mind healthy and strong. We exercise our bodies every day, so there’s no shame in doing the same for our minds.”]
Learning to forgive yourself and others should be included as part of your self care plan. I used to beat myself up over trivial mistakes. I also would hold onto anger that I had towards others.
When I began to forgive myself and others and to let go of hurt feelings, I realized that my mind was now free to look at more positive things.
This may take more than one day, but recognizing what is bogging down your mind and establishing a plan to take care of yourself on your self care day is a start.
Some people like to talk with friends and family in order to unload their mental anguish. Find someone who is a good listener and will only offer advice if requested. Sometimes we just need to say our feelings out loud, in order to feel better.
I also want to let you know that it’s ok to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist if you have a problem that you haven’t been able to work out on your own. They’re trained mental health professionals and will be able to help you, if needed.
Spiritual Self Care
What’s a self care day without taking care of yourself spiritually, as well?
Spirituality can mean different things to different people. For the sake of self care day, I’m talking about it in the manner of reconnecting with your inner self, apart from your body and mind.
Spiritual self care entails finding meaning and inner peace for ourselves.
Related From Spiritual Lotus: Benefits of a Positive Attitude
Related From Spiritual Lotus: What Are Positive Affirmations?
You can begin your day with positive affirmations. Here are a few for you to try:
- I believe in myself.
- Unconditional love flows through me.
- Today is my day of happiness and peace.
- My heart is grateful.
- I love myself as I am.
- I am whole and complete.
- I am in perfect balance.
- My love will always shine brighter than my fears.
Meditating on your self care day can help you quiet your mind and promote self awareness.
Personally, I like mindfulness meditation opposed to concentration meditation where I’m focusing on a single point, such as my breathing or listening to a repetitive sound.
Mindfulness meditation allows my thoughts to flow and to let me get in tune with them without any judgements.
You can meditate in the morning, right before bed, or anytime throughout the day. Meditation helps you feel a deeper sense of satisfaction and your life’s purpose by giving you clarity of what’s important to you and in life.
Have you planned your self care day yet? What self care day advice do you have to share?
I agree that self-care days are so important. I take one of those every few months. It doesn’t even have to be anything really special; just doing things I enjoy doing.
That’s great that you’re on top of your self care days, Pam! Keep it up!
If I am happy with myself everything else seems to fall into line. Not being selfish I just want to be happy with me.
And you’re the most important person that you should be taking care of, Candy. It’s not selfish at all!
I am all about self care. Whether it’s something as simple as sleeping in on the weekend or letting the laundry pile up for a day or two. A better me is better for the entire family.
Yes! When we take care of ourselves, everyone is better off!
A self-care day sounds wonderful! I’d love to take one of a rainy day and stay in for the day. Reading and lounging around for the day would be great.
That sounds like the perfect day to me, Alli!
These are all great tips. I always work out physically but i rarely focus on the mental or spiritual. I need to incorporate these into my daily routine.
Hi, Melissa! You’ll notice a change for the better when you incorporate all three into your self care.
Physical and mental self-care are so important. Too many of us give so much to everyone else but not to ourselves.
I completely agree, Karen! It’s time that we realize that we can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves.
such great advice- i def need to incorporate more of this into my daily life! thanks so much for sharing!
Hi, Cait! I’m glad that you like the advice! Thanks for coming by!
Self care is so important. I make sure I take care of myself and take time to relax. Reading is one of my favorite things to do, so I make sure I can do it daily.
Amber, that’s awesome that you’re taking a little time each day for self care!
I do take self care days, they are super important. I can always tell when I really need one.
I’m glad to hear that you are taken self care days, Ashley! Great job!
I definitely need to take some more time for self care. I don’t do it often enough, and I’m starting to feel pretty run down.
Hi, Angie! I hope you’re able to find for self care. It makes a big difference.
I try to start my days off, (after I drop the kids off at school) journaling, doing my physical therapy and praying. I take less care of my physical self, but I’m hoping in January I can get a gym membership once all our big bills are paid and we get through Christmas.
Heather, it sounds like you’re off to a great start with self care. Keep it up!
This is such a great post and very informative as well. I’ve totally agree with everything on this post especially on the spiritual side.
I’m glad that you like the post, Gervin! Have a great day!
I think all of us need a selfcare day once in a while. I am not doing this very often, but after a selfcare day I fell much better!
Hi, Catalina! I’m glad that you’re finding relief in your self care days!
I totally agree that self-care is important and gets too overlooked in our busy lives. The consequences of neglecting all three facets of self-care can be devastating.
I completely agree, Jenn! It’s never too late to work on self care.
I’m getting big into affirmations and I love the ones you shared. I will be adding those the list that I have for myself.
I’m so glad that you like them, Terri!
My 60th birthday is coming up and I want to do a self care day of reflection. I will be in Mexico, where I believe it will be a great place to do so.
Happy early birthday, Terri! It sounds like you have the perfect self care day planned. Enjoy your trip!
Self care is my biggest downfall. I have such a hard time making time for it in a day…or week…or… You get the idea. It seems like there is nothing else to sacrifice when it comes to time crunch.
Hi, Kita! I hope that you’ll be able to find the time. It’ll make a world of difference.
Self care is so important. Today I went to the Chiro and I had not been in about 18 months…I feel like a new woman. He said even if no pain try to come at least quarterly through the year because it will help in keep spasms and pain at bay.
Hi, Nichole! I’m glad to hear that you’re taking care of yourself by getting help with your pain.
Oh gosh, I love a good self-care day! I love just hanging out at my house alone, eating good-for-me food and reading a good book!
That sounds like the perfect self care day!