If you search #selfcare on Instagram you’ll see 16.7 million posts on it.
The truth is, the term “Self-Care” has been buzzing around like crazy recently. And for good reason it’s gaining momentum in our society, it’s been noted to have these benefits:
- Stress management
- Prevents burnout
- Promotes better productivity
- Enhances self-esteem
- Increases self-knowledge
- One will feel mentally healthier
- One will feel physically healthier
Most importantly, what this list of benefits can lead to is the outcome of how we will actually feel when we take care of ourselves.
What word comes to mind when you feel good about yourself?
For me, the word Confident initially pops up. I feel on top of my game and capable of taking on whatever challenge comes my way.
But another truth is that life is insane. We have families, careers, and goals that we want to achieve and most of us set the expectation to do it all at once. And when all the things that life is projecting at us are coming at 100mph, it gets hard to take the time to pause and refuel.
And thus, we lose that feeling of the word we identified a moment ago.
Yoga is one of the ultimate self-care acts we can do. Not only does it strengthen our bodies, but it has the ability to soothe our minds and we can step off our mat fresh and re-energized once again.
Now, we can’t always be on our mat all day, every day. If you can, I’m jealous. So lately, I’ve been working little self-care acts into my daily life to bring me a feeling of confidence and really, just happiness within.
Who doesn’t want that?
So, whether you have the time to take a whole day to yourself or just a few minutes, here are 33 things you can do on your mat to enhance your self-care yoga practice and also after you roll up your yoga mat up and head home.
Let the self-care begin!
33 Self-Care Acts For A Yogi
Yoga Self-Care Acts
These are added touches that I incorporate into my own practice that enhances my experience. The teacher won’t cue them for you, but they are some insider tips to make you feel even better when you’re done with class.
- Arrive to class early. Take the time to listen to the calming music the teacher has on and just breathe. It’s a guaranteed space that you won’t be interrupted. Take advantage of the quiet while you have it.
- In Child’s Pose, gently rock your forehead side to side. It’s the best massage for your third-eye (and you).
- Close your eyes during a flow series. This will kick in your instinct to truly feel and listen to your body. You’ll gain strength and confidence by not relying on your sight as you move.
- In Cat/Cow Pose, turn your hands around to face your body. This will still give you the benefit of waking up your spine, but will also offer a wonderful wrist and forearm stretch.
- After any core strengthening you may do in class, take Happy Baby pose to breathe into your hip flexors. This is one of my favorites.
- Take a supported bridge with a block instead of unassisted backbends. This act literally lets you release your whole body and you are supported by something else. You can completely let go. Once in bridge, place a block under your sacrum (at height of your choice) and let your body melt on either side of it.
- Gently rub the soles of your feet in a seated forward fold.
- Stay in Savasana as long as you can. When the teacher tells you to start wiggling your fingers and toes, stay still. The longer you stay, the better you will feel. I promise.
At-Home and Personal Self-Care Acts
Just like we tune into ourselves on our yoga mat to check in, take that practice to your home and try on these ideas to continue to show yourself love (Ahimsa), purify your space (Saucha) and stay present. Keep living your yoga, even when you’re not saying Namaste.
- Establish a morning routine that works for you. This will set the tone for you day. A must-do.
My personal routine is:
- Grab a cup of coffee (and hold the warm cup in my hands for a moment)
- Light yoga. This ranges from a few Sun Salutations to stretching
- Meditate
- Journal – see these journal prompts here if you need a helping hand to get started
- Write down my intention for the day
- Take a really good shower. Light a yummy smelling candle, play music, allow yourself to sing in the shower.
- Listen to a motivating podcast
Suggested Podcasts:
Pursuit with Purpose by Melyssa Griffin
From The Heart by Rachel Brathen
The Thrive Global Podcast with Arianna Huffington
- Plan how you can use more natural products in your personal hygiene routine.
- Declutter your closet and start a capsule wardrobe.
- Make a playlist just for yourself. This can be a pump-up playlist or a list of your all-time favorites.
- Create a vision board. It’s the modern day of Pinterest, make your own secret board of inspiring images that supports your intentions and goals.
- Take a nap.
- Start a challenge. This could be a yoga or exercise journey or one of just committing to journaling consistently for a month. Pick something that you’ve been wanting to do and do it.
- Learn something new. Invest in an online course to continually grow yourself.
- Eat a nourishing meal (especially after yoga)
- Plan a vacation or yoga retreat.
- Create a budget. Make one that supports your vacation goal from above.
- Create an at-home yoga retreat experience.
- Watch an inspiring TED Talk
Suggested TED Talks:
How to Practice Emotional First Aid, By Guy Winch
The Magic of Not Giving a F***, By Sarah Knight
Your Elusive Creative Genius, By Elizabeth Gilbert
Stop Waiting For Your Life to Happen, By Peter Sage
- Write down boundaries that you can establish to let go of what no longer serves you.
- Create a bedtime routine. Stretch out your day, meditate, write down what you’re grateful for from your day.
Social Self-Care Acts
When you are your best version of yourself, let others see it. I promise you will inspire others to want to join you. Take the self-care public! Try on these ideas quarterly or sprinkle them in whenever you can.
- Spend time outside. Take a walk or pack a picnic for you and a friend.
- Sit at a coffee shop and read your book
- Try out a new restaurant. We create space for growth and newness on our yoga mats, new yummy food is no exception.
- See live music. And dance your heart out (if it’s appropriate for the venue). You’re fully present when you get to let it all out on the dance floor.
- Schedule time at the spa or get a manicure or pedicure.
- Call your oldest and dearest friend.
- Eat a meal with a good friend and truly listen to what is going on with them and share back with what’s going on with you.
- Volunteer
Come back to the word that you feel when you feel amazing about yourself. When you are on top of your game, that is when you can truly start living and stop just existing.
Self-care is one of the acts of peeling back the layers of unnecessary baggage we take on to let it go and feel lighter, just like we do after Savasana.
Think of what you can do in your life when you are operating at 100%. Not only will it benefit you, but others as well.
It could be the ultimate domino effect.
