Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about ’em, click here. Do you also feel that self-care is a task you never get to? If you feel helpless to fight back against the burnout in your life, just wait! This post is going to change everything for you.
Why Self-Care is Crucial in a Relationship
Prioritizing your own health and happiness is easy to overlook. After all, you have so many other things you are juggling. However, if you are constantly putting other people’s well-being above your own, eventually, you will run out of fuel and have nothing more to give. In addition, your marriage will ultimately suffer because you didn’t take care of yourself first. Imagine that any act of self-care plugs you in and recharges you. If you take the time to recharge yourself, you will have battery power left for your relationship at the end of the day. However, if you let the stress of the day drain you to 0%, you will be too tired or irritable to give anything to your spouse— and if this pattern repeats day after day, will lead to severe disconnect. Over time you will notice you feel distant and discontent in your marriage. So with that in mind, recharge yourself with self-care activities that give you that little boost you need and your marriage will avoid major slumps! The bottom line is that taking the time to give our minds and bodies the nourishment and care they need make us feel better and show up better in our relationships. So both you and your partner should prioritize self-care!
Self-Care Ideas That Actually Stick
I once heard that you should do three things every day just for you. Initially, I thought that wasn’t doable. I have kids, extracurricular activities, dinners to cook, a house to clean, a busy husband to support, and much more. Between drop-offs, pick-ups, and when I’m not running errands, I should create a rose petal bath? It’s just not going to happen. However, the more significant issue for me was that I didn’t even know what I could do that would be just for ME. I’m pretty certain hobbies and interests of my own expired many years ago. Starting small, I realized that there are things that immediately make me feel lighter and more joyful. For example, playing a song I know every word to and singing it out loud. I also love doing funny dance moves in front of my kids and hearing their giggles. Even a pair of super soft socks brings me a little burst of joy. So if you are ready for the magic of self-care, try this idea of doing just three simple things you love every day. This one concept is transformative.
Self-Care Activities by Category
To help you get started, we will give you a massive list of self-care ideas; some may seem so minor you may wonder how they even made the list. But that is what this post is all about. Self-care can be anything that makes you feel good. It can take one second, but if it improves your day or mood, it is worth it! The self-care activities are going to be categorized into four groups. As you start regularly prioritizing self-care, you may become more attuned to your feelings and needs. When this happens, you can choose to be more intentional in finding self-care activities that will nourish you most at that moment. For example, if you struggle with self-esteem or have noticed negative thoughts about your body, choose an activity from the physical self-care category. This will allow you to do something that makes you feel happy and create a positive experience within your body. Likewise, if you are feeling anxious or extra overwhelmed, choose from the mental self-care category. Try to evaluate what you feel most deprived of in your life and relationships. Then, look over the list of self-care ideas below and choose something that could feed you in those areas you are feeling deprived. After that, make a goal as a couple to do three things every day that make you happy. You will notice a boost in your mood and positive changes in your relationship.
Simple Self-Care Ideas
Physical Self-Care
Give a long hugFocus on your breathDance around the kitchenKiss your spouse for six secondsTake a napGo on a walkSwingExerciseEat something that makes you feel goodGo to bed early
Sleep inPractice YogaStretchDo skincareMove slower than usualClimb a treeTap on your bodySmell a flowerStand outside in the rain
Mental Self-Care
Go outside and fill your lungs with a deep breathWrite in a journalRead a bookPaint somethingWalk barefoot on the grassHold a petDo a puzzleCreate somethingSet a goalCraft
CrochetWrite somethingSet boundariesGet in the sunshineWrite a letterRedecorate/repurpose a spaceView some artDo an act of kindnessWatch leaves dance in the treesLearn something newClear something off of your to-do list
Emotional Self-care
Snuggle up in a cozy blanketIdentify your biggest feeling and tell yourself it’s okayCall someone you loveMessage someone you haven’t talked to in a whileBake something that makes you happyLet your emotions move through you (laugh, cry, etc.)Volunteer for an organizationRelax with a massageGo to dinner with a friendMake conversation with a stranger
Take a warm bathForgive yourselfVocalize what you needListen to musicSmell something you loveBuy yourself flowersGenuinely smile at someoneLook at old pictures from a happy time
Spiritual Self-Care
MeditatePrayReflect on a spiritual experienceThink of something you are grateful forRead a poemRepeat an affirmationVisit a place that helps you feel peaceRead scriptureHum a song as you do your errandsAsk for help
Spend time alone in the quietLight a candle and watch the flameLook at the starsNotice how your body is feelingPractice mindfulnessRemind yourself how small you are compared to the universeConsider your gratitude for all the things that have gone your way
Making Self-Care a Priority
Revive a little life back into your relationship by taking a little extra time each day to do something just for you. Your health will improve, your mood will get a boost, and your relationship will get the jump start it needs. Once you take small steps to improve your health and happiness, you will be more motivated to take significant steps toward creating healthy habits that should be a priority in your marriage. You can do a whole self-care Sunday with rose petals baths and a full body massage, or you can begin the habit of doing three simple self-care activities every day. What is self-care going to look like for you?
