We all have days when things don’t entirely go to plan or we wake and find we just feel ‘blah’ but I have 20 easy self-care hacks to help you to get your mojo back.
Those of us who bear the strain of a chronic or auto-immune illness may start each day from a position of compromised energy and it may be a struggle to even get to ‘blah’. And if you are in your 50s like me, you may find you have lots of little niggles and aches to deal with. (Find more on about self-care in later life on my new blog selfcareatmidlife.com).
At times like this, having a strong support network of friends and family is invaluable and the phone can be our greatest ally. Even the often maligned Facebook can offer a lifeline of community, friendship and seasoned advice.
It is also important to treat ourselves with kindness and to know when we need a break. It is not a crime to take our needs seriously. As the saying goes, you need to apply the oxygen mask to yourself first before you can save anyone else – and this is particularly true for parents.
I’m sure you will have your own list but here are 20 easy self-care hacks to press the pause button in your life and to take some time out to reconnect with what’s important to you and your feelings – and to make sure you are treating both your mind and body with care.
Self-care hacks to get your mojo back
1. Say no. Remind people that ‘no’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘never’, but at the moment it means ‘not now’.
2. Call a friend or relative you can trust.
3. Lose yourself in your favourite TV box set (mine is the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series).
4. Read a really gripping book. Here’s a review of one of my favourites.
5. Learn a new skill – both dancing, table tennis and learning a new language have recently been shown to keep our brains young and stave off dementia.
6. Take a long, hot bath. You could try an Epsom Salt bath which is great for renewing our Magnesium levels. A magnesium deficiency can be the cause of tiredness. Take this magnesium deficiency quiz to determine if that’s the case.
7. Turn your gadgets off for a while. The world will not implode. Even if you turn email and Facebook notifications off you may feel less frazzled.
8. Try some adult colouring or dot-to-dot. There are loads of books available. In fact, so many of us are colouring, we are facing a global shortage of coloured pencils!
9. Create a vision board on Pinterest. If you haven’t got into Pinterest yet, you may be surprised at how easy it is to use and how addictive.
You basically create online pinboards containing your favourite images and you swop and share images by following others just as you do on Facebook and Instagram.
A vision board is a visual wishlist of all the things you’d like to have or experience and, so the theory goes, by regularly viewing your vision board, you are more likely to bring the things you want directly into your experience.
10. Ditch the black – it’s so easy to dress in black because we think it’s slimming or it helps us blend into the background but we know that colour lifts both our mood and that of the people looking at us.
Why not add a dash of bold colour into your wardrobe – a hot pink, yellow or orange?
Black can be pretty ageing, especially around the face whilst a splash of colour can throw a flattering light on our complexions. This, by the way, is why ladies used to wear pearls – to light up their skin.
11. Do some yoga, pilates or some gentle stretches. You don’t have to go to a class to get the benefit as there are loads of good DVDs.
As you get older, you might find 10 minutes of stretching each morning ‘unkinks’ your body from your night’s sleep and prepares you for the day.
12. Meditate. Just 10-20 minutes a day has been proven to give long-term benefits to our health. There are many guides to meditation online and I have also heard good things about the Headspace app which offers guided meditation if you just find it too difficult to ignore your thoughts.
13. Take some photographs – just photographing your kids, your pets, your garden, the sky, anything that gives you joy, will lift your spirits.
You can share your world via Instagram and, if you use the right hashtags, you may find many others who share your particular interests. Did you know, for example, that there is a hashtag called #catsofinstagram?
14. Take a nap. Not exactly rocket science I know but it comes back to taking time out for YOU and not being afraid to assert your needs. The theory goes that anything between 20-45 minutes is a sensible amount of time. Any longer and you’ll probably wake up feeling groggy.
15. Eat something. Seriously. If you have been fuelling yourself on carbs and sugar all day, try a high protein snack – a handful of Almonds or some cubes of Cheddar Cheese and some apple. Try some Green Tea for a slightly healthier caffeine drink or just a long glass of water.
16. Write a gratitude list. I know, I know, it might sound a bit ‘woo-woo’ but you’ll find that there is truly a lot we can all be grateful for, right now.
17. Do something nice for someone else. I read this week about a lady who was buying an In Sympathy card for a relative since there had been a bereavement in her family. She was surprised to find a small plastic envelope in the card she selected.
In the envelope was £10 and a note from a stranger saying “I am sorry that you are having to buy this card. Please take this £10 and do something nice for yourself”. I image that stranger felt as good making that gesture as the lady who received the envelope did.
18. Do some baking. In her book “Saved By Cake“, the writer Marian Keyes describes how baking helped her to deal with her depression. You may find it helps you – in which case, worry about the calories later and get creative with the butter icing.
19. Pray. Although many of us no longer adhere to a formal, organised religion, there is a lot to be said about asking for what we want and putting the future in the hands of a higher power – whether that be God or the Universe.
Just ask, let go and then go about your day. Even better if you can sit in a sacred space, whether that be a church, a garden or a quiet place you’ve made your own. Why not light a candle and spend some time thinking about what it is that you really want and need.
20. Declutter. There’s a wonderful book about domestic cleaning called Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley (Flylady) She recommends doing something called the “27 Fling Boogie”. Get a black bag and run around your home selecting 27 things to go in the bin.
Or you might prefer the more philosophical approach of Marie Kondo in her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying“. Either way, a good sort out tends to clear the mind and give you something else to focus on. Just remember not to go too mad and chuck out stuff that brings up positive emotions for you.
So there you have it. 20 simple self-care hacks to recharge your batteries. What do you do to make yourself feel better?
Having a bit of a quiet time to myself or going out with the girls I love to be a mummy but I also have my own name that is sometimes nice to hear not always just Mummy LOL. Thanks for the chance
Hot bubble bath and face pack is my favourite way to relax
Take an hour a day just for YOU
I do pilate exercises try to eat fruit and vegetables
I find 10 minutes meditation clears my mind then a relaxing bath
a hot bath with nice smelling soaps and some candles
I find water, sleep and taking vitamins always a good way to care for myself. I also like to take a few days alone if I can as this really clears the mind.
Pacing always works for me. I try to do less than I think I can do to avoid relapses.
meditation x
I listen to some baroque music instead of my usual rock or folk. A Scarlatti sonata played by Scott Ross is so calming.
I practise mindfulness to stop myself stressing over things
Always make time for yourself
A really early night to catch up on sleep which helps my mood. Also gardening gets me out of the house and I get some fresh air – I find it very therapeutic
Hatha Yoga it’s gentle and relaxing
treat yourself to a long long llong ie in every so often
Don’t stress about the little things and choose your battles.
Always make sure you have an hour to yourself when your kids are in bed. It’s so important
I take my self out into nature. walking in the woods or even better by the sea helps me to relax and come back to my centre
I have a couple of things that always make me feel happy. The first is just to go for a walk. Even on wet or cold days, there is no such thing as bad weather, it’s just that we don’t match the clothing to the weather. So I dress in waterproofs and wellies and go for my walk.
The second thing I do is book a ‘holiday’. By that, I don’t mean I book a week away somewhere, often I just convince my hubby that we should have an away day. I book rail tickets to a nearby town and off we go with our lunches packed and aim to look around somewhere just for the fun of it.
A walk with the dog in the fresh air alone
I like to take time out for myself when my so is in bed with a good book
Just what I needed to read today, thanks. I agree that learning a language perks up your brain – I’ve recently started learning Spanish on the Duolingo app and am enjoying it.
Always take time to switch off, and make time for yourself
A relaxing facial, going for a walk on a sunny day or chilling in the garden 🙂
Self care is actually something I really struggle with. I feel under a constant pressure to please everyone else. I’m going to try and do at least a couple of these each week.
a shopping trip works wonders lol
It’s yoga for me, great for your mind & body
Always have time for yourself, even just 5 minutes per day
Ideally a spa day. More usually, going out for a walk or a bike ride, losing myself in a favourite book or a bar of chocolate, a coffee and a magazine!
Meeting up with my best friend for coffee whilst our children at school, we have weird and wonderful conversations which make us both feel so much better.
To treat myself to something I want to do now and again be it alone or with others
I am sure others will agree, nothing beats a hot bubble bath
Always find at least 30 minutes each day to do something you enjoy. For me I like to unwind by listening to music or reading.
I have atleast one pampering evening per week, Bath, cutting nails, polishing nails, face mask and tanning it works wonders and always makes me feel wonderful 🙂
Alone time, a soak in the tub and then read a good book.
A lovely warm Bath
Quiet me time to relax and read a book
A hot bath and a good read helps me to relax
I treat myself to a nice reed diffuser and crash out on the sofa with the cats and a throw and breathe deeply and slowly.
A long soak in a warm bath!
Great ideas, thank you!
Reading a great book works for me and if time is short getting outside for 10 minutes does wonders too
A long hot bubble bath with a cold white wine.
I do yoga every day. Its good for your body and mind.
It goes a little something like this, the evening to myself, the house is fairly clean, clean bedding, a pamper shower (a shower where I shave myself and exfoliate!), moisturize, clean PJ’s, a takeaway, diet cola, movie of my choice! WOW !
Scented candles are a great way to unwind
Remembering to give myself some “me time” to de-stress
Making sure you get enough sleep x
Stop thinking about what other people think about you, You are who you are
Taking time to read and chill for half an hour to improve my sanity
I’ve retired now and am disabled so make my life as simple as possible.
I like to have a hot soak in a bath and either use a bath bomb or epsom salts for my muscles.
Do a bit of exercise every day. Either indoors or outdoors.
Mine is to have a nice relaxing bubble bath with a candle lit and the read a book in bed in my favourite pj’s
i always make sure i have me time, i love to walk so make sure i set aside half hour at least a day to walk to clear my mind
many thanks for hosting the blog and doing the reviews
Foot moisturiser and socks on overnight for beautiful summer heels
Love all these ideas, it’s always good to take some time out for yourself x
If the weather is nice, then I sit on my swing seat & read. If it’s horrible outside I light some candles & have a nice bubble bath. I have also made time each day to make sure I go through a good face care regime, something I always said I never had time for.
Drink lots of water
A lovely warm bath and a good book is perfect for me.
Always save time in the day for yourself – even if it’s only ten minutes to meditate a little x
Mine is to light a scented candle and sit and mediate for 30 mins.
Bath and a cuppa tea
Always remind yourself of all the good things in your life!
I always feel so much better after a long soak in the bath, an hour away from everything while I relax with a good book.
Drink lots of water.
Put the football on and chill out with my family 🙂
The most important thing is turning my phone off!! Nice bubble bath, a good book and a face mask always helps me x
Getting lost in a good book.
Relaxing bubble baths, with candles and wine
I love having a relax in my garden just taking in the atmosphere. I do also like the Headspace app, though.
Fab post x
I like to shut myself in my office and do some reading or colouring when I’m feeling super stressed.
Bath, meditation app and lots of sleep
A nice long bubble bath
Having the house to myself for one evening a week is bliss 🙂
I take time for regular meditation. I find it’s important to do this to reduce stress and it certainly improves my wellbeing.
reading a book 🙂
A long bath with music on, a bath bomb in, and a face mask on. Absolutely bliss!
Don’t ignore illness, it’s not worth it.
make sure you get plenty of rest
A soak in the bath and an early night 😀
With a clingy 2-year old…’me time’ is very rare! She’s still napping during the day so those 1-2 hours are usually spent catching up with chores! Even during the mornings when she’s at nursery, I’m somehow so busy! Then I manage to survive work and the stress that brings! However, when I do get some time to myself…retail therapy works for me. I very rarely wander around the shops anymore as it’s just impossible with my daughter…so when I can (even if I’m with my 9 year old), its just bliss…I always pick up some luxury items like soaps and candles.
A nice long bath with scented candles and a good book :o)
I like to take 5 minutes for myself and read.
Take five minutes to decompress every day, just 5 minutes to only think of you!
A little bit of exercise a day gets those good feel endorphins working.
Lovely ideas
A good soak in a bubble bath with candles!
Reading a good book and spending time in the garden.
Taking time for a nap when I feel exhausted
Got to be a long soak in a bubble bath with a good book !
I get under the covers and read a book xx
Make one night a week, me time, where i can just give myself a little pampering, also i find drinking plenty of water helps
remembering to praise myself when I have achieved something or done something good for someone else
I find taking some quiet time really helps. No distractions or voices shouting for mum. Just half an hour of quiet does wonders
Long soaks in the bath
Lose myself in a good book, or do a little ‘armchair travelling’ planning my next trip!
Reflexology always works for me.
The money in the card is such a lovely gesture! I meditate to calm myself.
Surprised no one has mentioned music yet. That’s my go-to: prog rock if I want to relax, heavy metal if I want to let my frustrations out. And swimming or a workout at the nearest outdoor gym.
Stop ! Sometimes the BEAUTY passes me by and I think what am I missing – 5 minutes seeing reality !! Life is fab
always make some time just for you
A salt bath does wonderful for me
give yourself some you time, to remember your not just mummy or that person at work you are also (name) and you have your own thoughts to mull over
Drink good coffee; this may require a return ticket across the Atlantic but I have also had the world’s worst coffee there too so it may be best to stay on the east side of the Atlantic and settle for just OK coffee.
I love to sit down with a good book, a cuppa and my cats once the kids are in bed xx
A hot bubble bath and a glass of wine.
Take time out for yourself on a regular basis
Take a long bath eah evening to unwind! Just switch off, lie back and relax!
I love to have a lovely bath with a good book x
Aromatherapy and early nights
Don’t fight your body.If it wants to lay down ,then lay down.
Love all these ideas! I’ll be taking note of them as I’ve been so stressed out lately with so many things happening in my life right now, both good and bad.
Great ideas! Self care is so important.
Some lovely ideas here. It’s so important to make space for some joy and relaxation in our busy lives.
I light my scented candles in every room of my home including the hallway