Disclaimer: I'm not a medical or mental health professional, just someone passionate about self-care. This blog shares my personal experiences and research, with some help from AI to refine and organize ideas. It's meant to inspire, not to provide professional advice. Everyone's different, so what works for me might not work for you. For serious health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Ready to explore the five simple self-care practices that can truly make a difference in your life? Let’s dive right in!

1. Hydrate so you don’t “die-drate” - the Emotional Support Water Bottle:

One thing a lot of people seem to struggle with is getting enough water. Drinking water regularly is an important aspect of self-care and mental health. For one, it’s crucial for overall physical health, which is linked to mental wellbeing. Proper hydration can help with regulating mood as dehydration can lead to fatigue and irritability.

Proper hydration supports cognitive function, which helps with focus, clarity, and overall better mental performance. It helps reduce stress levels in the body and can serve as a mindfulness practice by helping you stay present and attentive to your body’s needs.

To make it easy, I like to keep my water bottle nearby at all times. I have several that I keep in rotation. Sometimes, drinking plain old water can get a little boring so I’ve started to implement flavored hydration packets such as these (https://amzn.to/3LgBY0T) which add an extra boost to your water with various different flavors to choose from. Just one a day is enough to level up your water intake.

2. Unleash your creative side: the power of self expression

Embracing your creativity can be a wonderful form of self-care. Commit to at least one personal creative project per day (doesn’t have to be every day), no matter how small. Whether it’s writing a poem, painting a picture, drawing in a notebook, crafting a short story, or even singing and dancing to a song that resonates with you — it can be a powerful way to boost your confidence and mood for the day.

Adding even just a few minutes of creativity to your day can be beneficial. As you’re immersed in the activity you chose, you may find that your stress melts away and your mind becomes clearer. By doing something creative, you can freely express emotions that might usually be difficult to communicate, providing a healthy outlet for your feelings and enhancing your mood. The beauty of creativity isn’t just the end result but also lies in the process itself.

There’s no right or wrong way to express your creativity — the only requirement is that you let yourself enjoy it and let your imagination flow freely. Nurture your inner self and promote mental wellbeing by making time for creativity in your routine.

3. Stretching your way to wellness

A simple, yet powerful, form of self-care you can implement is stretching. Try to stretch when you wake up, before bed, or whenever you remember to. There are plenty of guided stretching videos available online for varying levels of difficulty that you can use to help you whether you prefer to use something like Youtube, TikTok, or a dedicated mobile app for stretching/exercise.

While stretching does offer the benefit of physical flexibility and reduced risk of injury, its benefits extend far beyond that. It increases range of motion, helps strengthen muscles, and also plays an important role in mental wellbeing. It can help with relaxing tense muscles where stress is often held like areas in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

When combined with mindfulness, or focusing your attention on the present moment, stretching becomes a form of meditation which calms the mind and provides stress relief. Over time, this practice can greatly improve your overall health, mobility, and peace of mind. The key is to start slowly and listen to your body. Don’t overstretch or push yourself to the point of pain. Instead, aim for gentle and comfortable stretches.

Just 5-10 minutes a day can make a noticeable difference in how you feel, both mentally and physically. So consider taking a moment right now to give your body a nice, wholesome stretch.

4. Keep it moving

Building on the benefits of stretching, incorporating regular movement is an essential component in maintaining optimal energy levels, enhancing physical and mental health, and boosting cognitive function.

For some of us, even the idea of exercise can be intimidating and even off-putting. While some people enjoy putting in ample time at the gym everyday, others prefer to opt out. I don’t know about you, but I have found myself tied to a gym membership I hardly ever used more than one time in my life. I like to save money so I am currently not enrolled in a gym membership, but to each their own.

Thankfully, there are other ways we can get our bodies moving that can still be beneficial for our health and wellbeing. I’ve mentioned this in other posts and I’ll mention it again — dancing. For one, when movement is fun you’ll be more likely to engage in it regularly. Dancing, like other forms of movement, helps release endorphins which produce “happy feelings.” It’s a form of stress relief and an emotional outlet when you’re feeling angry, sad, frustrated, stuck, or bored. Physical activity in general increases energy, improves mood, helps improve brain function, and can increase your flexibility.

Another great thing about using dancing as a form of movement and exercise is that there’s no special equipment needed and you can customize the intensity to match your fitness level, making it suitable for moderate or vigorous activity.

So keep it simple or make it fancy, do it however you like and get your dance on today!

5. Make meditation a regular practice for a calmer and clearer mind

Before you click away, let’s talk about meditation and it’s various forms. That’s right, there is not just one form of meditation, so if you’re the type to get bored by the idea of “just sitting there with your eyes closed,” keep an open mind and stay with me here.

Meditation isn’t a one type fits all kind of practice. Some of us struggle to sit still and empty our mind, and that’s totally okay! While many people think you have to be completely still to meditate "properly," that's not actually the case.

For one, you could meditate while walking, doing the dishes, sweeping the floor, stretching, folding your laundry, etc; Activities that don’t require a lot of thought. To make it a meditation, focus on your breath and/or the task at hand and allow your thoughts to float away. If a thought demands your attention, give it a moment of your time and then gently let it go and return your attention to your body, breath, and the task at hand.

These simple activities could make a significant difference in your health and wellbeing, mentally and physically. Remember that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s a necessity. Whether you’re working on staying hydrated, expressing your creativity, stretching, moving your body, or practicing mindfulness and meditation, each of these practices have benefits that could contribute to a healthier and happier you.

The key is to let yourself start small and build up consistency. Don’t pressure yourself to instantly be able to do everything at full force every single day. Feel free to choose one or two practices that resonate with you and gradually add them to your routine. Your future self will thank you for taking these steps toward better health and wellness.