8 Self-Care Rituals That Actually Stick

Between work, family, and everything else life throws at us, it's easy to push self-care to the bottom of the list. But looking after yourself is an essential part of living. Or at least doing so well.

That doesn't necessarily mean booking a spa day every week (although that would be lovely!). Instead, it is more about weaving simple habits into your day that make you feel grounded, energised, and calm.

The key to doing this is to choose rituals that not only feel good but also are easy to maintain. Unfortunately, if it's too hard or time-consuming, the chances are you won't stick with it. 

With that in mind, here are some self-care ideas that are practical, low-fuss, and genuinely supportive for your mind and body. Hopefully, adopting them will go a long way towards helping you live your best life.

1. Start Your Day with One Minute of Stillness

Contrary to what you might think, you don't need to meditate for an hour to feel the benefits of mindfulness. Even a short pause before starting your day can make a difference.

To do this, sit on the edge of your bed, as soon as you wake up, take a few deep breaths, and recognise how you currently feel.

Essentially, this moment of stillness creates mental space and clarity. This helps you tackle the day ahead in a proactive, rather than reactive way.

2. Create a Daily Self-Care Routine

The average person is awake for between 16 and 17 hours a day, which provides ample time to find a window to look after themselves.

Self-care routine doesn't need to be a long process. Instead, it is a good idea to break it down into a series of smaller activities. This could be:

• A morning stretch
• Drinking water as soon as you wake up
• Journalling for five minutes
• Switching off screens an hour before bed

The goal here is to build a rhythm that supports your well-being, and you don't need to overhaul your life to do so. It is better to pick one or two rituals, and do them regularly, to help you feel balanced, than none at all.

3. Subscribe to a Ready Meal Delivery Service

According to a report by Meat and Livestock Australia, the average person spends about an hour every day preparing and cooking meals.

After a hard day at work, doing housework and ferrying the kids to and from school can feel like a chore. Moreover, if you don't start these preparations until at least 6 pm, you actually don't have much time left in your evening to relax, after washing up and putting the children to bed.

For this reason, it might be a good idea to subscribe to ready meal delivery in Sydney with MACROS. Doing this can enable you to enjoy healthy and delicious meals without sacrificing the time that it would otherwise take to cook from scratch.

4. Get Moving

Exercise is very important. Providing you with a powerful stress relief technique, it helps to prevent chronic diseases, clears your mind, boosts endorphins, increases energy levels, and sleep better.

However, many women feel like they do not have enough time to devote to punishing workouts or strict fitness plans. But truth be told, that is just a mindset.

Even devoting fifteen minutes a day can make a difference to the way you feel. So, whether it's via yoga, walking, swimming, or dancing around your living room, commit to doing something that lifts your mood and fits into your lifestyle.

5. Build in a Daily Tech Break

If you are wondering where you will get the time to do some daily exercise, the answer could be right in front of you. Literally.

Most of us are guilty of being glued to our phones or the TV. Indeed, according to Deloitte's recent Media and Entertainment Consumer Insights report, the average Aussie spends 44 hours a week consuming media and entertainment. That equates to over six hours a day.

Against this backdrop, all it takes is a little discipline. So, start with just an hour, during which time you shouldn't do any scrolling through your social media, checking of emails or watching Netflix. 

Instead, go out for a walk or run, read a book, or even just enjoy a relaxing bath. If you reclaim your attention and energy in this way, you'll be surprised how refreshed you feel afterwards.

6. Get Outside Each Day

Being outdoors is a natural mood booster. So, where possible, try to get a bit of sunshine and fresh air every day.

You don't need to climb a mountain or walk for miles across a farmer's field. Even a short walk around the block or venturing into your backyard can lift your spirits, as it helps clear the mental clutter and brings you into the present moment.

7. Protect Your 'Me Time'

At any given time, we are many different things to different people. Our kids need us. Our partners need us. Even our family and friends make demands on our time. Then, of course, there are our work responsibilities that take up a lot of our mental energy. But that is all the more reason why you have to carve out space just for you to do whatever you want.

It doesn't need to be hours. Even 15 minutes of uninterrupted time doing something just for you can be incredibly powerful. Whether that is reading, painting, gardening, or doing absolutely nothing is up to you. Just make sure you are doing something for yourself.

8. Try a Bedtime Wind-Down Ritual

Sleep is very important because without it, we will struggle to function as effectively as we otherwise would. However, if you are not getting the 7 to 9 hours of sleep we all need every night, then you should consider introducing a calming night to help you do so.

This might involve lighting a candle, listening to gentle music, stretching, or writing down three things you're grateful for. These types of sleep mindfulness practices can be very effective in helping you achieve a deeper, more restful slumber.