How to Mix Self-Care Into a Busy Lifestyle

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that life is BUSY, it can get pretty tricky to sprinkle that much-needed-self care into your day.

Work, family, commitments, and about a million other things that demand your attention.

But self-care doesn’t have to be complicated.

It’s often the small, consistent practices that make the biggest difference, ones that might take some effort… but not as much effort as overhauling your entire schedule 😉

So, let’s talk about some ways to work self-care into your daily routine. 👇

Set a positive tone for your day

Now I’ll be the first to admit - I have definitely started many of my days jumping straight onto my phone, oftentimes before I’ve even managed to get out of bed!

Basically, I was jumping straight into “on” mode.

And it turns out… that’s not really a great way to start the day 😅

Instead I now have a little morning ritual that eases me in, no screens included.

Whether it’s washing your face, a quick meditation, journaling, or just stepping outside for some fresh air. The biggest takeaway is intentionally allowing yourself to take a moment to breathe before your day starts.

You honestly don’t even need to do the same thing every day, it’s not really about what you do. It’s about making sure you take a moment for yourself before you jump into your day.

Take breaks (even micro ones!)

Another biggie is making sure to actually take breaks.

It’s so easy to get caught up in a never-ending to-do list without hitting the pause button. Taking small breaks can help boost your focus and energy throughout the day, which makes getting through all those tasks a bit easier.

What do breaks look like? Anything that gets you to stop and focus on something else for a moment. Pat your pet, get a glass of water or make some tea, step outside for some fresh air. Do some quick stretches at your desk!

Whatever a break looks like for you, try to prioritise squeezing them in. Your mind and body will thank you.

P.S. if you struggle with remembering to take breaks, try setting alarms so you have an external reminder.

Create boundaries with your time

This is something that a lot of people struggle with (myself included!).

The word ‘no’ can be hard to use.

But getting comfortable with using it can be one of the most powerful forms of self-care you’ll ever use.

Let me say this loud and clear - it’s okay to set boundaries with your time and energy, you don’t have to attend every event or take on every task. There’s only a certain amount of time in each day, only a certain amount of ‘you’.

Protecting your personal time is a huge part of staying balanced, give yourself permission to say no, guilt not included.

Find joy in movement

Exercise. Does. Not. Have. To. Be. A. Chore.

Find ways to move that you actually enjoy. Whether it’s a walk in the park after work, a dance party in your living room or a few bedtime stretches before you’re off to sleep.

The key is to find something that brings you joy, not something that feels like an obligation.

If you find it fun, then it’ll be much easier to stick to because you’ll be looking forward to it.

Wind down at night

Alright, I’ll be real here - this one is a serious “work in progress” for me. I will be preaching things that I may not fully follow myself.

But I’m working on it!

And it’s also good advice!

Just like it’s important to ease into the start of your day, how you end it also matters. Give yourself time to wind down in the evening, even if it’s just 15 minutes before bed.

Read a book, listen to some lofi beats, do your skincare, make a cup of sleepy tea. Do things that are chill, things that will signal to your brain and body that it’s time to rest.

And put those screens down!

So - that’s it for our self-care tips for a busy lifestyle. I do hope you find these as useful as I have.

Reminder! We’re aiming for progress, not perfection. Humans aren’t robots; we’re always a ‘work in progress’. If you’re not perfect in implementing these (like me!), doing some is still better than doing none.

Real self-care is about taking small steps that help you feel recharged, not adding more pressure to your already busy life.

It’s totally okay if some days you only manage to squeeze in a few minutes of “you time.” Maybe you'll start some days scrolling your phone and end it doing the same thing. It's okay! The goal is consistency over perfection.

Self-care is a lifelong practice, not something you'll master in a day.