Recently I purchased a book on Hygge because I had heard so many YouTubers and fellow bloggers talking about living the Hygge life. I had no idea what the heck they were talking about. So I did some research, as in searched through Pinterest and Instagram, and found photo after photo of “cozy” decor, photos of perfectly poured lattes, and warm blankets in a fall setting. I figured there was a little bit more to it all, so I bought The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking in an effort to figure it out myself and what I took away from it is that the focus is more on self-care than anything else.
At least, in my opinion, it seemed to focus on self-care. After finishing the book, I felt much more inspired to focus on my own self-care options and here are some self-care ideas that will hopefully help you cure a bad day or help you focus on your own needs. And if you are a fellow mama, you know exactly how hard that can sometimes be. So let’s take some time for ourselves and re-energize our spirits.
Take a Warm Bath
Light some candles, fill the tub with some hot water, dim the lights, and drop a bath bomb in the mix and you are set for a relaxing evening. I personally love Lush bath bombs, but they are super expensive, so I recently tried some bath bombs I found on Amazon and loved them. I’ve linked them below in case you’re interested.
Read a great book
“Reading is not just an escape. It is access to a better way of life.” ― Karin Slaughter
Heading to the bookstore and picking up a wonderful adventure has always been one of my favourite pastimes. Sometimes we need to take a pause from reality and immerse ourselves in the life of another character. Maybe we want to learn something new or help a clever detective solve an almost impossible mystery, or travel through the gate of a secret garden to discover a beautiful and a mysterious sense of purpose and life. Whatever genre you are into, pick up a book, find a quiet spot and let yourself drift into the pages of a story.
Enjoy a latte and some people watching at a local coffee shop
Sometimes all you need is a great cup of coffee and some people watching to relax.
Write in a Journal
I use my bullet journal as my catch-all journal. I doodle in it, write in it, track health goals, migraines. I use it for everything I don’t put in my Erin Condren LifePlanner. A journal gives you a place to write down your thoughts and feelings and then permits you to do whatever you want with them.
Listen to music
Play your favourite tunes, dance around or sit on the floor, it doesn’t matter, just find the song that calls to you and listen away.
Cuddle with your favourite pet
There are very few things that are as relaxing as petting a kind and compassionate animal. If you don’t own a pet, think about volunteering at a local pet shelter or visit a friend with a pet. It’s such an incredible feeling.
Go for a long walk or run
Sometimes you have to get out of the house. I love walks, I don’t go on them nearly as much as I should, but I love them. I also love running, well the feeling after the run, not the starting feeling. Anyways, just get outside and go for a walk. It doesn’t matter where. Some of the best walks are ones where you don’t know where you’ll end up. So just keep walking and discover a place you’ve never been to before.
Exercise
We’ve all heard about a study that says exercise can help you manage stress, weight, anxiety, depression, etc. So just put on your runners and pull out that exercise video or gym membership that’s been collecting dust.
Take a yoga class
Yes, it might be cliche, but it works. So if it works and is stupid, then it’s not stupid. So grab a friend and take a yoga class together or grab your yoga mat check out some free yoga videos on Youtube and find your zen.
Grab a cup of coffee with a friend
Talking can be an amazing tool for self-care. You connect with other people who are listening and conversing with you. Sometimes that’s enough to turn a bad day into a good day.
Treat yourself to a wonderful meal
Treat yo’self! Whether you cook or you eat out, just treat yourself to a beautiful meal. There is something so satisfying in sitting down, and slowly savouring every bit of the food in front of you. Slow down, enjoy a glass of wine with your meal and focus on the flavours masterfully playing in your mouth.
Now it’s your turn, I want to hear from you. What do you do to focus on yourself and show yourself some self-care? Let me know in the comments below.
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