In the past few years, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about self-care and how important it is to start selfcare routine you’ll actually stick to. One great idea for taking care of your physical and mental health is to treat your whole body holistically. It can be a little scary at first, though. Self-care routines may seem like a lot of work for people who have never done them before, especially in today’s busy and chaotic world. Some people may have tried but failed to stick to the routine, making them feel like they’re not good at it.
Self-care isn’t just a trendy word; it means doing things that make your life better in general. Taking care of yourself is an important part of living a healthy life. Taking care of yourself on a regular basis can help you deal with stress, build resilience, and enhance your overall health. If you agree with us that skincare is a form of self-care, it might even help with skin problems like stress, acne, or wrinkles.
updated December 2025, you will encounter a Transform guide on How to Start a Self-Care Routine You’ll Follow that will work for you, and you can take control of your well-being.
What is Self-Care, Really?
Self-care means taking care of yourself – which may seem obvious, but the *how* and *why* are crucial. It incorporates all the things you do to keep your body, mind, and spirit healthy. Self-care may seem like a good idea, especially if you want to live a long life, but it’s often the first thing that gets pushed aside when things get tough, like when you’re sick, have a money problem, lose your job, get divorced, or go through another big event in your life. That’s why it should always be at the top of your mind, not just something you think about when things are tough.
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Get the Book - $7For me, in my years of experience as a wellness coach, I’ve seen countless clients struggle with this. They know they *should* prioritize self-care, but it always falls to the bottom of the to-do list. I used to be the same way. I remember one particularly stressful period where I was working 60-hour weeks and barely sleeping. I thought I was being productive, but I was actually running on fumes. My anxiety was through the roof, and I was constantly irritable. It wasn’t until I started incorporating small acts of self-care into my day – even just 15 minutes of meditation – that I started to feel like myself again.
Key Takeaway: Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Schedule it like any other important appointment.
8 Forms of Self-Care: A Complete Approach
Self-care looks different for everyone because we all have different needs and wants. It might take some time and work to figure out what will help you. Whatever you choose to do for self-care, make sure it involves activities that keep your mind, body, and spirit in balance. SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, lists 8 main ways to take care of yourself:
- Physical Care: Some ways to take care of your body physically are to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. According to a study published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* (JAMA), regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
- Psychological (Intellectual) Care: As a form of psychological self-care, you can challenge your mind by learning new things, reading books, or doing puzzles.
- Emotional Care: As a way to take care of your emotional health, you could join a support group, start writing in a journal every day, or learn how to do deep breathing.
- Social Care: Making connections with other people by caring about and being interested in their needs is a big part of social self-care.
- Professional Care: Self-care activities that you do for work give you a sense of purpose and show what you value, what you’re interested in, and what you believe.
- Environmental Care: Doing things that are good for the environment as a form of self-care can include adopting eco-friendly ways to live at home, spending time outside, or taking care of your own home.
- Spiritual Care: Some spiritual ways to take care of yourself are to meditate, practice mindfulness, or learn more about religion and spirituality.
- Financial Care: As a form of financial self-care, you might make a budget, start a 401(k), or simply make better decisions about your money.
Key Takeaway: Explore different types of self-care to find what resonates with you. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Why is Self-Care Important? The ROI of Wellbeing
There is an underlying belief that we must always be productive in a society where people are expected to work long hours and skip vacation days. It can make it harder to take time for self-care. However, if you take some time to do it, it may help you relax from the stresses of everyday life and get back to a healthy state where you can be more productive. Considering how much mental health services, lost wages, and other things can cost, taking some time to focus on yourself may be good for everyone in the long run.
“Burning the candle at both ends,” so to speak, has big negative effects that can include but are not limited to burnout, depression, anxiety, anger, and loads of other bad things. A self-care routine has been shown in studies to lessen or get rid of anxiety and depression, lower stress, boost energy, help people focus, lower frustration and anger, make people happier, and more. In terms of physical health, it has also been shown to lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. On a spiritual level, it might help us stay in touch with our higher power and figure out what our life is all about.
Dr. Amit Sood, a Mayo Clinic physician and expert on resilience, emphasizes the importance of self-care for managing stress and improving overall well-being. He states, “When we take care of ourselves, we are better equipped to handle the challenges that life throws our way.”
Key Takeaway: Self-care is an investment in your productivity, health, and happiness.
How to Start a Self-Care Routine You’ll Follow: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re not sure where to begin, consider starting an exercise regimen or something else you’ve always wanted to do but feel you should do first. Additionally, Dr. Sacco advises starting with very specific objectives in mind and adhering to the S-M-A-R-T concept:
- Specific: Determine the specifics of your objectives.
- Measurable: Choose a method for gauging your progress.
- Achievable: Make sensible objectives.
- Pertinent: The modification will have an impact.
- Time-bound: Establish a reasonable deadline.
1. Set Your Intentions: The Foundation of Your Routine
The first step in creating anything new, including a self-care regimen, is to set an intention. Take a moment to reflect and ask yourself:
- Why do I want to take care of myself?
- Why do I follow this regimen of self-care?
- What do I want self-care to accomplish for me?
- Is it to learn to be more present, spend more time alone, or permit yourself to unwind after a demanding and hectic week?
You will find it much easier to create (and even maintain) your self-care routine once you have determined your intention or goal because you will be laying the groundwork and making it for the right reasons.
2. Creating a Strategy: Tailoring Self-Care to Your Needs
Now that you are aware of the areas in which your present plan is deficient, pick particular tasks that you can consistently complete. Above all, make an effort to choose activities you enjoy! If it doesn’t make you feel better, it’s not self-care. Do you detest engaging in vigorous physical activity? Consider taking up yoga. Do you not find meditation to be enjoyable? Consider trying something different to decompress, like drawing.
Here are some suggestions for engaging in self-care:
- Having fun with loved ones and friends
- Taking up painting or journaling as your first creative endeavor
- Acquiring new skills, such as reading a book or cooking a recipe
- Watching a childhood favorite film that you used to love
- You can even simply arrange your thoughts with the aid of a planner.
3. Create a Self-Care List: Your Personal Menu of Wellbeing
Determining what I genuinely enjoy doing was one of the best things I did to develop my self-care regimen. As I have stated, self-care is personal to each individual. Don’t merely mimic what others are doing and then ask yourself why it doesn’t work. Determine what gives you a positive feeling. To that end, I recommend creating a master list for self-care.
Now, take out your pen and notebook and list all the things that make you happy that come to mind. Make a point of recording ten or more activities. Make sure they are manageable and straightforward so that you can incorporate them into your daily routine.
Simple actions like playing your favorite music and dancing around your bedroom for a few minutes, or even just taking a few deep breaths when you’re feeling overwhelmed, can have a profound impact on your mood.
It could also appear as:
- Putting aside time to read
- Taking extended walks in the outdoors
- Consuming a lot of fresh air
- Establishing a healthful nighttime and morning routine
- Observing a formal lunch break
- Avoiding screens during mealtimes
- Maintaining Hydration
4. Keeping Things Simple: The Key to Consistency
You can attempt to practice your self-care routine every day if you keep it brief and easy. Starting small and incorporating self-care into your current routine may be the best course of action because choosing a longer routine requires more time and commitment. Setting simple self-care objectives for yourself could be as easy as making time to compile a happy playlist or going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night. These little adjustments can have a huge impact on your mood.
Key Takeaway: Start small, be consistent, and tailor your routine to your individual needs and preferences. Remember, self-care is a journey, not a destination.
FAQ: Your Self-Care Questions Answered
- Q: How much time should I dedicate to self-care each day?
- A: Even 15-30 minutes of dedicated self-care can make a significant difference. The key is consistency.
- Q: What if I don’t have time for a long self-care routine?
- A: Incorporate micro-moments of self-care throughout your day, such as deep breathing exercises, listening to calming music, or taking a short walk.
- Q: Is self-care selfish?
- A: Absolutely not! Self-care is essential for your well-being and allows you to be more present and effective in all areas of your life.
- Q: What if I feel guilty taking time for myself?
- A: Remind yourself that self-care is an investment in your health and happiness. You deserve to prioritize your well-being.
- Q: How do I know if my self-care routine is working?
- A: You should notice improvements in your mood, energy levels, stress management, and overall well-being. Pay attention to how you feel and adjust your routine as needed.