Hi. Greetings, dear friends. I hope you’re well. In today’s blog, I share a video about my daily self-care routine.
I recently received an email from a member of our community asking me about my daily self-care routine and how I look after myself.
So, this video is just to give you an overview of my daily self-care routine and the things I like to do to look after my self.
You can also watch this video over on my YouTube Channel.
What Does My Self-Care Routine Look Like?
Basically, my self-care routine is part of my daily morning ritual.
It’s the things I do in the morning, and during the day to look after and nurture myself.
When I’m really organized, and I get enough sleep, I’ll be up between 5:30 a.m. and 6.00 a.m.
Here’s My Daily Morning – Self-care Routine:
Breathe: Gratitude Thank You Breath
When I’m conscious that, yes, I have woken up and I’m alive, I will rest my right palm on my chest and my left palm on my belly and I will literally just take that first deep breath of the day, that very first conscious mindful breath, and I’ll just breathe.
I call it my “Gratitude Thank You Breath”, where I am consciously giving thanks for the gift of another day.
Then I’ll stay lying down in my bed, place both hands on my belly and I focus on my breath … I’ll just literally just tune in, and take a few deeper conscious breaths.
And then I’ll get up go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, smile at myself in the mirror and come back to my bed.
Journaling Morning Thoughts
The next part of my routine centres around writing and journaling.
I’ve got an A4 notepad where I journal My Morning Thoughts as suggested by Julia Cameron.
Whatever’s in my brain, in my mind, in my heart, I’ll just blitz and write for like five, 10 or 15 minutes.
And, later during the day, I will refer to my Morning Thoughts for ideas and gems which I could use for Daily Affirmations or blog posts ideas to share in my Facebook Group, #BreatheCalm
I also keep a journal where I’ll write out my goals and aspirations, and I’ll list three things that I’m grateful for.
I also have a couple of questions or prompts I’ll ask myself.
Daily Morning Journal Prompts
Again, in my journal, I’ll answer the following prompts
- ‘ How do I want to feel today?
- And the next question I ask myself, “Why?” “Why do I want to feel ……. ?”
- And then the next question I ask, “What do I need to do, be or have to feel that feeling?”
Yoga + Breathing Exercises
I’ll get down on the yoga mat, and I’ll do some seated yoga breathing exercises, followed by a yoga practice. I follow a couple yoga teachers online on YouTube, for example, Yoga With Adriene and I’ll just literally follow one of her yoga videos; anything from 10 minutes up to 30 minutes.
Meditation
Once I have completed my yoga practice, I will settle back on the mat and meditate. I either listen to a guided meditation on Insight Timer or sometimes I will sit in silence and focus on the breath.
Hydrate
Another part of my self-care routine, I have my morning bottle of greens to alkalise my body and drink a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon, or ginger. (I make this before I go to bed and put it in a flask and take it upstairs with me, so it’s ready and waiting for me when I wake up.) Every now and then, when I’m super on-it! I will have a Liver Flush drink and eat clean for a couple of days.
During the Day Self-Care Tips
And then, during the day. Because I am one of those sorts of people, I rush around a lot. It’s crazy. So, on my phone, I’ve got little reminders to remind me to pause, breathe and relax.
For example, I have an alarm set at 10:30 am which I have named “Celebrate.” When that goes off it’s a little reminder saying, ‘Celebrate!’ So, I shake my hands up and exclaim, “Celebrate, yeah! Celebrate! Celebrate!” And I’ll do a little happy jig.
And then, at one o’clock. I’ve got an alarm set at one o’clock, and that’s called Love, Nurture and Appreciate. And again, when that goes off, that’s to remind myself, A, to stop what I’m doing, find time to eat, have lunch, and, just to take moment to check in and ask myself the following questions:
” Am I loving myself? Am I nurturing myself? Am I appreciating myself?”
Evening Self-care Routine
I’ve got to sort out my evening routine.
I’d really love to have a more organized evening routine. Currently, I wrap up the day by journaling and meditating.
Evening Journal Prompts
1 What am I grateful for today?
2 What made me happy?
3 One thing I’m looking forward to tomorrow?
4 What would I like to dream about?
So, that’s it. That’s my daily self-care morning routine.
1. Breathing exercise in bed.
2. Journaling, writing
3. Yoga and meditation.
4. Drinking my greens, and my hot drink.
Closing Thoughts
So, that’s it, I’d love to hear what you think of my morning routine.
Maybe share in the comments below what you do for your daily self-care.
Do you have a set self-care morning routine you religiously follow?
What Next?
And if are interested in finding other techniques and self-care practices you can try, check out my new Yoga For Beginners book, where I share practical yoga tips and meditation exercises you can use to take better care of yourself.
You can buy your copy of Yoga For Beginners here.
Till next time. Remember, your life matters.
Stay well and I look forward to hearing about your self-care routines.
Thank you.
Ntathu
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
