Small Acts of Kindness…to Yourself!

Small Acts of Kindness…to Yourself!

Small Acts of Kindness…to Yourself!

SELF-CARE. We’ve all heard it a lot lately. It’s usually considered any activity that’s good for our physical or mental health. Trust me, I understand and appreciate the importance of self-care, but honestly, sometimes it feels like another thing to add to an overflowing to-do list.

 

We can’t always get away for a spa day or girls’ trip (my mani/pedi appointments now require an extensive calendar search 😂). That’s why I’ve learned to treat myself to small acts of kindness over the years. There are a bunch of easy ways to add some self-care into our already busy lives. Below are a few of my personal favorites!

1. Slow brewing coffee or tea

Anybody that knows me knows that I love coffee! My café au lait is usually brewed before a single email is read. From Monday to Friday, I microwave the milk, drop a pod in the Keurig, and keep it moving. But on the weekends, I become a barista and enjoy the FULL COFFEE EXPERIENCE. I grind the beans, heat water in a kettle for the French press and froth milk like your favorite coffee bar artiste (make sure to add the accent for effect 😉). Then I put my feet up, find my Netflix shows and enjoy!

 

 

2. Meditation or Breathing Exercises

Prior to wearing an Apple Watch, I never paid much attention to breathing or meditation apps. But now I find them extremely helpful, especially when I feel tension building in my shoulders. Breathwork is the practice of using a wide range of breathing techniques and exercises (as short as 1-2 minutes) that all aim to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual health. Benefits of breathwork include:

 

 

  • Reduced stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation
  • Increased oxygen intake to release harmful toxins
  • Improved sleep by quieting the mind and relaxing the nervous system
  • Overall positivity helps to bring awareness to the present and encourages mindfulness and gratitude

 

Check out these free breathing apps! (iOS and Android compatible)

  • Breathly
  • Breathe2Relax
  • The Breathing App

3. Restorative Yoga or Stretching

Restorative yoga is similar to stretching and is great for beginners because the movements are gentle, slow and supported with props like blankets and firm pillows. I spend most of the day in my home office behind a desk. Restorative yoga is the perfect midday reset/break to stretch my back, neck, and legs. Below are few links to get you started!

 

First Yoga Class at Home

10 Minute Yoga Full Body Stretch

Gentle Chair Yoga for Beginners

 

4. Walking

Remember when your parents told you to “get out of the house and go play!”? Do you also remember, decades later, when you found yourself sitting in an office, staring out the window and wishing you could actually “get out and go play”? Our parents were actually right (imagine that!). Sometimes we just need a breath of fresh air…literally. 😊

 

 

At the end of the day, self-care shouldn’t be a burden. Adding small acts of kindness to yourself into a daily routine can go a long way to nourishing your mental and physical well-being.

Discover what works best for you and don't be afraid to enjoy!

Continue reading

5 Self-Care Tips for the Workaholic

Tired of Yellow in Your Gray!?!

Tired of Yellow in Your Gray!?!

It’s Not About Your Hair Color, It’s About You!

It’s Not About Your Hair Color, It’s About You!