15 Practical Self-Care Ideas for When You Don’t Have Much Time

Life moves fast.

We’re all guilty of getting so caught up in our daily responsibilities & busy schedules, that our self-care routines are the first to be sacrificed. Well, I am here to remind you: self-care is not selfish!

Self-care is an incredibly important aspect of having a well-rounded, happy, and healthy lifestyle!

Why Self-Care Is Important, Especially When We’re Busy

The well-known quote reminds us, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”

Its true. If we don’t strive to prioritize our well-being, we can’t show up the way we want to, for the important things & people in our lives.

But more than that, the moments you intentionally take for yourself encourage you to recognize your inner strength, resilience, and incredible capabilities. It improves your mood, decreases stress, and can improve your overall quality of life. 

15 Attainable Self-Care Ideas To Fill Your Cup

1. Breath work 

Whether at your desk, on your morning commute, or even walking your pet, set a 5-minute timer to practice deep breathing. Connect to your breath, allowing your mind & body to slow. Deep breathing can help increase energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve digestion. Try to exhale longer than your inhale, with a short pause before your next inhale. 

2. Drink Water 

One of the best & easiest things you can add is drinking more water. Grab yourself a water bottle you actually like and keep it accessible, so you don’t forget! A friend of mine uses a gallon-sized water bottle which helps her drink enough water daily. Besides detoxifying the body, increased water is linked to improved mood, clearer skin, and relief from headaches. Cheers! 

3. Daily Mantras

Mantras are a daily dose of joy that you can easily incorporate into your day. Mantras are meant to be repeated, so are good while you’re brushing your teeth, in between meetings, or making a coffee. You can repeat the mantra to yourself to improve your mood and re-focus. I like getting my mantras in the mornings, and I suggest using the iOS app called Mantra.

4. Journal 

Even if you only have five or ten minutes, take a moment to write in your journal. You can reflect, set goals, write poetry, express gratitude, even share your fears – whatever you want, write it out. If writing isn’t your thing, try voice recording! Regular journaling helps with memory, improves mood, reduces stress, and improves emotional health.

5. Order your groceries 

This one may seem random, but it’s buying back time for your future self! Most stores will do at-home delivery or collection, which means you don’t have to spend 2 hours of your week at a grocery store. What can you do instead with that time?!

6. Connect with someone you haven’t in a while

Catching up with people we love & haven’t had a chance to speak to is an incredible mood boost and a reminder you are loved. So make that phone date with your college roommate or a family member who lives far away! Tell them in advance you only have 30 minutes, but don’t beat yourself up if you get lost in the moment.

7. Move your body 

Physical movement is an incredible gift you can give to yourself. Endorphins do amazing things for the mind, and you’ll instantly feel more productive. There are plenty of free resources online (YouTube!) for movement that works for you!

8. Meditate 

Meditation improves our self-awareness, and concentration, and alleviates stress and anxiety. I’m a huge advocate & regularly meditate myself and lead a meditation before every shoot.

I suggest the following 5-minute mediation to start… conjure up an image in yourself in your mind and repeat: “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be at ease..”

9. Laughter 

Laughter is one of the best forms of self-care and some days, we just don’t do it enough. Put on a silly video, read a funny magazine, or listen to a comedic podcast. Laughter makes us feel joyful but, impressively, it can reduce stress & improve the immune system. 

10. Create a vision board 

We have access to free vision boards with Pinterest – no more magazine cut-outs! Create, reflect, and contribute regularly to your vision board, which can be focused on whatever you wish. Your vision board could be about starting a new project, business idea, dream home or visualizing what your dream life looks like.

11. Learn a new language 

With apps such as Duolingo and Babel, learning a new language has never been so easy! Some require only 10 minutes daily, making it a time-conscious hobby that taps into a new part of your brain, challenges you and leaves you feeling proud of yourself…and excited for your next vacation! 

12. Tidy your space 

Throw on some music or your favorite podcast & tackle a dreaded area that needs re-organizing. There’s nothing better than an organized, functional space to increase zen in your space. Plus, this can only take 20 minutes! 

13.  Get outside 

Fresh air should be a key part of your self-care routine. Maybe it means spending 20 minutes tending to your garden (even if it’s a little herb garden!), having your morning drink on the patio, taking advantage of a local park, or doing some deep breathing or meditation while outside! Fresh air helps the immune system, is energizing, can improve our mood and can improve blood pressure and heart rate. 

14. Plan ahead 

Look at your calendar & prioritize yourself. This can mean booking something a bit more “time-consuming” but equally important like a workout class, a hike, seeing a new film, a soothing massage, or scheduling a boudoir photography session. It does wonders for our mental health to have something exciting to look forward to!

 15.  Say No

Asserting boundaries by saying “no,” is a true act of self-love & self-care. Boundaries help us recognize what we need to do now, and what can wait for when we feel better, more energized, and have the emotional or mental capacity. Saying no means saying yes to number one!

Self-Care, Even When Busy!

I hope this blog has inspired you to make time for yourself. Don’t forget my reminder from the start: self-care is NOT selfish! Nor is a boudoir photoshoot! 😉 Get in touch today with any questions you have!