Simple Ways to Prioritize Your Well-being

Self-care tips are important for everyone, especially busy women.

We typically want to ensure that everyone is doing well, everything is in order, and our lists are made for today, tomorrow and the rest of the year!

We leave ourselves at the bottom of the list and look after ourselves with whatever is left. Do we have any time or energy for ourselves after we give it all away to everyone else?

Remember

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.

Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming; small intentional habits can have a big impact.

I have a few tips to help you add them easily to your busy schedule.

Start with a Morning Routine

Starting your day with intention and a routine you don’t have to think about, sets the tone for the day. A simple morning routine can work wonders for boosting your energy and easing stress before your day even starts.

For me, a few minutes of meditation brings a nice sense of calm, and a quick journaling session helps me get clear on what’s coming up and how I want to handle it.

If mornings feel rushed, try taking five deep breaths and thinking of one thing you’re grateful for before you even get out of bed. It’s a tiny moment that can make a big difference, giving you that self-care boost before your feet even hit the floor. What a great way to start the day!

Find more tips in my 5 Simple Morning Routine Steps Free Guide.

Prioritize Restful Sleep

Establishing a calming routine before bed can signal your body that it’s time to wind down.

Start with going to bed at the same time every night. If this is late and you’re not getting 7-9 hours of sleep, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier. This new routine will feel strange at first and you will probably still fall asleep at the same time, but persevere. It is for your self-care. 

If you are heading to bed at midnight and waking up at 6 a.m., do you actually feel rested? If not, try easing into an earlier bedtime by starting with 11.45 p.m. for a week. Then, each week, move your bedtime up little by little until you’re getting the amount of sleep that feels right for you. Once you find that sweet spot, stick with it consistently.

Take a look at my blog 10 Ways To Get a Good Sleep at Night for more tips and habits to incorporate into your routine for a restful sleep.

Set Boundaries to Protect Your Time

Setting boundaries is so important, and self-care boundaries are just as essential as any others. They’re what keep you from burning out and make sure you have time reserved just for you.

Try blocking out specific times for your self-care routine. Maybe it’s a bubble bath every Wednesday night, or a quick journaling session ten minutes before bed. Use that time to jot down your thoughts from the day, make a to-do list for tomorrow, and reflect on what you’re grateful for. Don’t forget to write down any worries or annoyances, too—you don’t want them popping up when you’re trying to sleep. Getting them on paper helps clear your mind.

And remember, “No” is a complete sentence. Say no to unnecessary obligations that pull you away from your goals, your rest, or your well-being.

Be Your Own Best Friend

Notice your inner dialogue and ask, “Would I say this to a friend?” If not, don’t say it to yourself. Rephrase it with compassion and kindness.

On average humans have around 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day. Studies estimate that 80% of these are negative and 95% of our thoughts are repetitive, reinforcing patterns and beliefs we’ve formed over time.

We have the habit of putting ourselves down or ruminating over negative situations in the past or our previous mistakes. This only leads to an increase in stress and anxiety, as it keeps our brain fixated on the past with moving forward to find solutions or resolutions.

Self-care can break this cycle by focusing on the present and talking to ourselves with kindness. 

Celebrate your small accomplishments throughout the day, like taking the time for exercise or how you handled a difficult situation. Treat your setbacks as learning moments, not failures.

I never lose. I either win or learn. Nelson Mandela

Giving yourself the time to talk to yourself positively or write down the good things you did at the end of your day, will increase your compassion towards yourself and your self-care.

Integrate Movement into Your Day

Adding movement to your day can be as simple as sneaking in small moments that work for you.

As you put your feet on the floor in the morning, do some simple stretches and tell yourself “It’s going to be a great day” while you do it.

Set 15 minutes aside in the morning to go for a quick walk or take that walk at lunchtime. Before bed, take 10 – 20 minutes for some yoga stretches to calm you down from your day and get you relaxed for a restful sleep.

Movement isn’t about fitness; it’s about feeling good, staying connected with your body, and keeping your mind clear and positive.

Prioritize Nourishment

As busy women juggling work, family, and a never-ending to-do list, we know how easy it is to push our own needs to the back burner. But the truth is nourishing our bodies isn’t just about food – it’s about fueling the energy we need to tackle our lives with strength and resilience. Proper nutrition isn’t about perfection; it’s about simple, sustainable habits that fit into our hectic schedules.

Having snacks prepared makes grabbing them for your bag or lunch super simple. Some things that I do is:

• Cut up my veggies when I buy them and have them in containers in the fridge. This makes it easy for snacks and dinners. The veggies are cut and ready to be added to a quick stir-fry or fajitas
• Prepare overnight oats. Your breakfast is ready. You can add nuts or fruit for added nutrition.
• Keep some healthy bars on hand! They’re perfect for that afternoon energy boost or a quick snack when you’re out running errands and suddenly feeling hungry.
• Remember to drink at least 64 oz of water a day. If this seems like a lot and you are not there yet, introduce more water each day until you reach this goal. 

Some of our foods and snacks don’t always give us all the nutrients our bodies need, which is why I like to add high-quality supplements to my daily routine. Look for supplements that are biodegradable, guarantee potency and purity, and come with third-party certification—these are the ones I recommend!

Use Technology to Simplify Self-Care

We have so many apps and tools at our disposal right on our phones. Why not use them to our advantage and self-care?

One of my favourite apps is called Insight Timer. It is a meditation app with so much more. You can have timed meditation, morning or sleep meditation and also check in on your mood. I have been using this since 2016 and now it is my go-to app to feel calm, grounded and ready for sleep.

I do like the new feature of recording your mood. This way you can check to see if you have any patterns with mood. Is your mood great or awful at certain times of the month? Do you have long periods of Okay?

I highly recommend this one.

Another great way to use technology to your advantage is by setting a timer to go off every hour. It can be your reminder to take a sip of water or take a quick walk around the office if you’re mostly sitting. These regular reminders help you build a natural habit, making hydration a regular part of your routine without even having to think about it!

Regular hydration keeps your energy steady throughout a busy day, improves concentration and reduces mental fatigue.

We want to give ourselves self-care throughout the day not just when we wake up or go to bed.

Conclusion

Self-care tips can lead to big changes. Prioritizing your well-being does not have to take up your time. It can be easy to add it to your existing routines.

There are a few suggestions here. Take one or two and try them on for size for a month and see if it fits for you, then you can add more to your self-care routine.

Self-care tips are fantastic, but let’s be real – it’s so much more than bubble baths and manicures. How you treat yourself sets the tone for how others will treat you, too.

The way you care for and speak to yourself doesn’t stay hidden; it shines through every part of your life. It affects how you talk to your partner and friends, how you greet your kids in the morning and say goodnight, and even how you show up at work. Self-care is about creating a foundation that lets you bring your best self to everything you do.

You are amazing. Now tell yourself that and show that you care 😊