09/25/2025
Okay, hear me out. Self care doesn’t need to be and shouldn’t be expensive. If it causes (financial) stress, it’s not contributing to your overall health. Gym and yoga memberships are fine, especially if you find community there. However intense workouts (and this includes hot styles of yoga) can cause more stress in the body, which then leads to more issues. Often gentle movement like walking, gentle (hatha) style yoga, tai chi, dance or shaking are perfect!
Protein drinks are convenient, sure. But there is nothing like the nourishment you receive from consuming freshly cooked meals 3x a day!
Quarterly massages are lovely, though there are Ayurvedic practices you can do at home for yourself!
And lastly, I love a warm, sunny, beach vacation… but if you’re leaving without addressing the day to day, it’s just escapism.
I prefer to think of self care practices as inexpensive (or free!) and things you can start to slowly weave into your day!
Regulating sleep and wake times help to bring more calm into a chaotic schedule. This helps to soothe anxiousness, restlessness and ungroundedness.
Consuming 3 fresh cooked meals around the same time every day helps your body to know when you to start preparing for digestion. This leads to more optimal digestion, which means you’re likely better able to fight off illness.
Intentional movement throughout the day (more in kapha times and 100 steps after a meal) helps to keep energy flowing, helps in digestion and doesn’t deplete you. Think walking, yoga, dancing etc.
Breathwork is the bridge between body and mind. It is a way to create more spaciousness between thoughts, this allows for more clarity! Start small, 3 minutes a day: as an example and grow from there!
When we dwell on the positive and the things that bring us joy, we start to build new neural pathways in the mind. This isn’t to say we avoid/repress issues but it’s that we shift focus. Mind care is life care!
Tell me below, what are you doing for self care!
