12 Steps to Start a Self-Care Routine You'll Actually Follow

1. Identify Your Self-Care Needs

Reflect on what areas of self-care need more attention in your life right now. Consider physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and creative needs. Does your body need more rest? Is your mind begging for a break from technology and social media? Are you lacking meaningful connection with others? Tuning into what your mind, body, and spirit crave is the first step.

2. Set Self-Care Intentions

Once you've identified your self-care needs, set 1-3 specific self-care intentions, like "I will go to bed 1 hour earlier each night" or "I will journal 3 times per week." Start with intentions that excite you and feel nourishing. Having clear intentions helps you stay focused and motivated.

3. Start Small

When forming a new self-care habit, start very small. Tiny steps add up over time. For example, if you want to build a yoga routine, commit to just 5-10 minutes per day at first. Or if you want to journal more, just write for 5 minutes after you wake up. Tiny habits feel easier to stick to, leading to big changes.

4. Attach It to An Existing Routine

Link your new self-care ritual to an existing daily habit. For instance, you may commit to meditating for 5 minutes right after your morning cup of coffee. Piggybacking onto current habits makes it more automatic.

5. Schedule It

Mark self-care time slots in your calendar to protect the time and create a sense of appointment with yourself. Just like you would for a doctor's visit or work meeting, scheduling self-care makes you far more likely to follow through.

6. Start Your Day With Self-Care

Morning rituals set the tone for your whole day. Waking up 15 minutes earlier to move your body, hydrate, meditate, or journal can shift your headspace and energy in a more positive direction from the start.

7. Take Mini Self-Care Breaks

Weave miniature self-care practices throughout your day for an infusion of centering and recharging. For example, take 1-2 minutes on the hour for gratitude or loving-kindness meditation, drink a warm cup of tea mindfully, or do a quick body scan. Micro-practices refresh you to be more focused and resilient.

8. Vary Your Self-Care Activities

Keep your self-care plan diverse for a sense of excitement and balance. For instance, alternate between activities that are energizing (exercise, socializing) and calming (reading, bath). Shake up the types of self-care you do so you don't get bored.

9. Do Self-Care with Others - Sometimes

Finding community and doing self-care activities with friends or loved ones can add meaning, fun, and accountability. Join a yoga class, plan healthy potlucks, trade massages, or meditate together. But also value solo self-care time when you can dive inward.

10. Observe How You Feel Afterwards

Tune into how you feel after practicing self-care. Do you feel more centered, grounded, refreshed, or joyful? Taking stock of the positive effects will inspire you to continue. But don't judge yourself if you don't always feel bliss - just gently note any shifts.

11. Be Gentle with Yourself

If you skip self-care some days, don't beat yourself up. Life happens. Gently recommit to your intentions the next day. Strengthening self-care habits takes time and consistency. Be patient and speak kindly to yourself along the way.

12. Reward and Celebrate

Acknowledge when you meet self-care goals like sticking to a new morning ritual for a week straight or trying a challenging form of exercise. Self-appreciation helps you feel proud and motivated to continue leveling up your self-care routine.

Nurturing yourself through self-care is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellbeing. Start with small, sustainable steps that fit into your lifestyle. When self-care becomes a natural ritual, you'll be amazed at the positive ripple effects in every area of your life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.