Essential self-care habits
Here are some of the things that several innovators and entrepreneurs have made permanent habits:
1. Early Morning Meditation
"My morning meditation habit became a given, so it does not take long and is not complicated, but it is a simple practice that is useful to me. When I stopped meditating a few times, I felt my body had lost its focus, and it became more difficult to accomplish some tasks.
When I feel nervous during the day, I resort to breathing exercises to restore my mental activity." - Kristin Meekhof, author and expert in flexibility and wellbeing
2. Allocating time for worrying
"With the beginning of the pandemic, I was worried all day, and that was emotionally exhausting. I knew that something had to change. So I decided to allocate a certain time to worry. I allowed myself to spend 15–30 minutes thinking and writing down my thoughts during the "worry time," and when I did that, I stopped ruminating thoughts throughout the rest of the day.
This relieved my tension and helped me become more present. Now, I allocate "worry time" every evening, and I intend to preserve this, as there will always be something to worry about, and I want my mind to remain clear during the day and be as happy as I can." - Farrah Smith, life coach
3. Sitting Out Silently
“My habit of taking care of myself is to sit in my garden on the roof and have a cup of tea; that is, I simply sit in solitude, enjoy sitting there with my thoughts, and sometimes do breathing exercises as well.
When I feel very nervous, I sit there longer. This way, I try to change my mood and thoughts, which has become a given for me.” - Savitha Nanjappa, Success Coach
4. Writing before starting the day's tasks
“I made the following routine: after waking up and taking a shower, I sit down and write down my dreams to remember them and express my gratitude for the day. Then, I meditate for 20 minutes to start my day; dedicating the first hour of the day to myself has become the best thing I do not only for myself but for my family and whoever I care for, too." - Lennis, Mentor in Wellbeing
5. Limiting phone calls
“Although I love my friends and enjoy spending time with them, I have set a limit of 20 minutes for phone calls. I believe that phone calls, especially audio and video, drain our energy. Limiting their duration helped me overcome screen fatigue. This process was a form of self-care and later became indisputable for me.” - Anitha Balaraj, Executive Coach
6. Taking breaks during the day
“I allowed myself to take breaks during the day, which made a massive difference to my mental well-being. So, when everything around you calls for panic, you could turn a blind eye.
The ability to slow down and take a deep breath to reflect on what we really want is a source of strength. When I take a little break instead of rushing to respond to my emails and correspondence, I become more able to build myself and my emotions, so I engage instead of just merely responding. This procedure reduced my tension and opened a space for inspiration and curiosity, and thus became one of the best means to take care of myself.” - Sara Loos, Coach Development
7. Drinking lemon water
“The unchangeable ritual of taking care of myself is to start my day drinking hot water with a slice of lemon, ginger, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. As soon as I turn off my morning alarm clock, the first thing I do is heat the pitcher and prepare my large cup, which stays with me while I prepare for my day.
It gives me a refreshing start with all my vitality and concentration to face anything that I have hidden for myself. I have had this habit for 25 years, and I can no longer imagine another day with a different beginning.” Caroline Peyton, nutritionist and physical therapist.
8. Turning off notifications
“My daily routine of taking care of myself is to cancel all notifications; it helps me improve my attention and control of my energy. Now, I can spend at least 30 minutes every week without being interrupted, solidifying my steps, wandering between my thoughts, and searching for new ideas.” - Loreta Pivoriunaite, Coach and hostess
9. Attending exercise classes
"My sports classes have become my daily refuge from the difficulties I faced during the pandemic. What I used to fear became something I look forward to daily, not only to release dopamine but to improve my condition as well and to become stronger day by day. I feel that I am moving forward in something meaningful to me, so the sports class was like medicine to lift my spirits during these difficult and sad days. I am grateful that I found this simple addition in my life." - Nehal Mehra, Customer Service Manager
10. Undergoing aromatherapy before bed
“In addition to my evening routine of turning off my phone, reading books, and spending time with my cat, I added aromatherapy and put lavender oil on the back and sides of my neck. This simple massage relaxes the muscles, calms my nerves, and takes me to sleep in peace and tranquility. Aromatherapy has become a necessity for me.” - Elaine Hamilton, author
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