By now, I’m sure we all know that self-care is important, but we often get too busy to prioritize it. What I love about summer is that it’s the perfect season for slowing down and recommitting to our self-care needs.
For me personally—there’s something about the warmer temperatures, longer days, and increased sunshine that brightens my outlook—and makes me want to take more steps towards nurturing my mind and body. That’s where daily rituals come in…
A self-care ritual is simply something you do on a consistent basis that helps restore balance to your life.
Here’s a list of 5 self-care rituals I’ll be practicing this summer, and I invite you to join me!
A Breath of Self-Care
When the breath is still, the mind is still.
Deep breathing, even for just one minute, can help you think more clearly and bring calmness to an anxious mind.
Truthfully, I practice this self-care ritual quite frequently throughout the day. In fact, I’m doing it right now… Breathing helps me gather my thoughts, release heavy emotions, and find my center when I’m feeling off-balance. It’s a simple technique that has made a big impact in my life.
The truth is, creating a happier, healthier lifestyle often starts with our ability to breathe and let go.
When we give ourselves permission to breathe, we invite more peace into our daily lives.
Color
As an educator, my favorite way to help students relax is through creative, art-focused activities. And though I’m not currently in the classroom, I continue to rely on art for soothing my own anxieties.
In particular, coloring happens to be a great pastime that helps me relax during difficult moments.
If you’re often short on time, this can be a fun, simple way to generate mindfulness, unleash some creativity, and step outside of yourself for a bit.
Coloring can be a good distraction from everyday worries, such as work and family life, and it’s a healthy way to relieve tension and stress.
Go Outside Without Your Phone
In today’s world, our mental energies are constantly being pulled in so many different directions. Taking time to embrace the world around us is a great way to recharge our internal batteries and refocus our attention on the things that really matter.
Each week, dedicate some time to being fully present in nature. Put away your phone and allow yourself to just “be.”
Nature provides healing in so many ways, and it’s something we should create more space for in our lives. Although it’s perfectly OK to use our phones during our outdoor experiences, balance is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The point is to become more present in our surroundings, and to practice intentional living as much as possible.
Each week, dedicate some time to being fully present in nature. Put away your phone and allow yourself to just “be.”
Fill Your Home with Classical Music
The older I get, the more I need this in my life. There’s something about classical music that brings me a sense of energy and inner peace.
Whether I’m cooking, doing chores, or just wanting to wind down in the middle of a busy day… I can always rely on classical music to enhance my mood and the atmosphere of my home.
This is one of those simple pleasures that my whole family happens to appreciate. Classical music has a calming rhythm that relaxes the mind and puts everyone’s spirit at ease.
Practice Gratitude for Self-Care
For self-care, a best practice is to take some time each day to reflect upon your life.
Write down the things you are grateful for—even the little things. The more you practice gratitude, the more your positive emotions will increase. Instead of feeling anxiety and depression, you will begin to feel more joy and contentment in your life. And you don’t have to spend a lot of time or energy on this ritual to reap the benefits.
Just a few minutes of expressing gratitude each day can improve your health, reduce your stress, and give you a better perspective on life.
Remember, self-care rituals don’t have to be fancy to be effective. Small daily acts of self-care can make a huge difference in health and happiness!
62 responses to “Self-Care is Important: 5 Healthy Habits to Practice Now”
I love this post. There are so many benefits to taking care of ourselves. By taking time to care for our mental and physical well-being, we remain focused, rejuvenated, stress-free, and sane.
Yes to all of those, Lani!
Without the phone is so key. I’m outside all the time but I’m going to do it without my phone more often.
Good for you! Yes, the phone is one that we definitively have to be more mindful of.
Great ideas, very helpful.
Glad you found it to be helpful! Thanks for reading, dear.
Love all of these ideas!! Thank you so much for sharing these 😉
Awesome! Thanks for reading.
Great post!
Great ideas! I absolutely love sitting down and coloring with my kids. It’s such a calming activity while spending quality time together.
Very calming, indeed! Coloring is good for all ages! Thanks for reading.
I was relaxed just reading this. I will most definitely be leaving the phone inside and soaking in nature! Thanks for the great ideas ?
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, putting the phone away is a must. Thanks for reading!
These are all really great tips! I am going to try to do more of these things this summer!
Good for you! The key is to start small. Let me know how it goes!
I loooovw these swlf care rituals, I honestly try to practice them all as they’re so healing and helpful! Great post!
Thanks, Lisa! And keep up the good work!
I go outside with my phone whenever I need a work break … or when I have a work call where I don’t need to be on-screen! 🙂 LOL! Great post.
Understood! I like to take nature pics outside, and just mindlessly scroll through my phone in my downtime. So it’s perfectly OK. As with anything, BALANCE is key. Thanks for reading!
Practicing gratitude can make a whirl of difference!
Great tips! When I read the part about breathing, I noticed I had been subconsciously breathing so shallowly that I was basically holding my breath lol. So I took a nice, deep breath and kept reading. 🙂
Love to hear it!!!
I’m experimenting with stimulating different senses for self care-it’s great to stimulate different senses.
Couldn’t agree more, Carolyn! I like to switch it up and explore different routines as well.
Great reminders as summer approaches!
super important to take a minute and meditate on our surroundings, listening, absorbing, contemplative prayer and breathing! Yes and Yes!
Yes to all of those, Barbara!
I’d never even thought of coloring as a way to relax but I’m definitely going to give it a try! Thanks so much for sharing
Definitely give it a try- it’s so relaxing! Thanks for reading!
Amazing post. Go outside without phone is the one I love doing.
It really helps, Laiba!
What an awesome list of self-care rituals to practice this summer and year round! My favorite one that you suggested is coloring. It’s so soothing to color and also spend time outside without my phone. As a mental health professional, I oftentimes hear that people don’t have time to practice self-care so I put my secrets together with the hopes that it’ll be others! https://pantearahimian.com/the-secrets-of-people-too-busy-to-practice-self-care/
Yes, these simple self-care practices are definitely good year-round, which is why I love them! And you’re right, coloring is soothing indeed!
Sometimes the simplest things have the biggest impact. I love that they are all things that can easily be implemented!
Yes! I always say the little things are the real things. Self-care (or anything else for that matter) doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective.
[…] “5 Self-Care Rituals to Practice This Summer” by Sheenia Denae of witheredblooms.com […]
Yes! I love all these ideas! Deep breathing has made a massive difference for me for when I go on my daily walks. No matter how short the walks, making sure I practice deep breathing leaves me feeling refreshed.
I practice deep breathing on my daily walks as well, Abby. And you’re right, even a short amount of deep breathing can help us reset.
Self-care is so important to our well-being and is something we as women don’t prioritize enough. I love all your self-care suggestions especially to practice deep breathing. It is probably the most calming thing I can do for self-care. Great post!
So glad you enjoyed these tips, Karen!
This is an excellent list of ideas to add self-care to our daily lifestyle. I plan to try going outside without my phone today!
I love it, Stephanie! Putting down our phones is definitely something we should practice more often. LMK how it goes!
Very informative especially going out without your phone,it gives you time to explore and meditate things without any disturbance.
Exactly, Lydiah! Thanks for reading.
I LOVE all of these!! Have not done coloring in such a long time, a great reminder, thank you 😉
I love this article and appreciate the 5 simple ways that you can practice self-care. I appreciate going outside without my phone since it helps me stay more mindful and present. As a LCSW working with folks struggling with stress and anxiety, I put together 20 simple ways to practice self-care which is a great addition to your list https://pantearahimian.com/20-simple-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself/
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on this post, Pantea. I will definitely check out your list of additional self-care practices!
Love these ideas! Have not used my coloring book in a while…thanks so much for the great reminder. I used to enjoy this so much and I am sure I will do more of this in the future 😉
What a coincidence!
I recently started spending a few minutes every day to just enjoy the moment. That can be just being outside or slowly walking or whatever is calming you down. Since I do that, I’m generally more happy and relaxed.
Try it out, it really works 🙂
Good for you, Andy! And yes, I know it works!
Absolutely agree with this post, for all of the things gratitude will make heart peace.
All wonderful ideas especially breathing, it’s very helpful in times of stress.
Taking care of ourselves is not on physical but mental and spiritual, loved this post.
My go-to for self care is enjoying the outdoors after work every single day. There’s nothing like being in nature.
Oh, I love the outdoors! Sounds like the perfect way to relax after a long day, Melanie.
[…] more ideas, see “5 Simple Self-Care Rituals to Practice Now” by Sheenia Denae and the posts, “6 Effective Ways To Manage Stress” and […]
All great ideas! Never heard about the coloring one until now but I find it interesting and perfect for my introvert self.
Thanks!
wow!
so many great tips!
I love breathing and have an app on my mobile – Psychology – where you can find breathing exercises; plus you can track your activities.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never considered coloring as a self-care ritual. I’ll definitely be adding that on.
I like the part about going outdoors and listening to music (we play jazz or worship music all day). It is so important to incorporate little routines to relieve stress and anxiety. I am juggling so much on my plate, and I need spontaneous moments to relax and slow down. thanks for these tips.
Travel Travel Travel! A change of scenery will do wonders.
Agreed!!