Practice self care

@Always25

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful post! I am a big fan of box breathing and recommend it whenever the opportunity arises. Nature walks are the best!

I like to imagine I'm in a post apocalyptic world, where I'm one of the few survivors. Maybe even zombies roaming through the forests. Or evil entities. And I have to try and survive until nightfall.

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My self-care routine starts when I wake up.

1. Setting the intention for the day - I map out my goals for the day, whether that's finding moments at work to listen without responding to others, focusing on completing a specific task, or trying to see things from a new perspective. These are ways I can ensure that I start my day off with a dose of mindfulness.
2.  Hygiene and Lotion - It might sound silly, but when I shower I really take the time to focus on my body. Not the things I like or don't like about it. I feel the water flowing down my back and chest. Take the time to appreciate my feet as I wash them clean. Maybe even thanking them for always keeping me up, even when I feel down. After I'm done showering, I apply lotion. For me, smelling like eucalyptus and aloe really grounds me back into my body. I like to smell my arms throughout the day or just catch a whiff of it. It comes in handy during stressful moments.
3. Diet - I typically go on nature walks, but where I live the summer is way too hot. I'd melt into a little fish puddle. x.x So, that's when I adjust my diet. I typically consume 4-5 liters of water a day, focus on essential nutrients and micronutrients. And listen to my body when it says it needs more or less of something. I don't consume solid food. That might sound wild to some people, but I honestly love it. It's not that I never eat solid food. I still maintain my gut mobility, gall bladder and liver function. I don't eat solid foods often. I put a lot of thought into ensuring I stay healthy no matter what. Even if I can't exercise.
4. Journaling - I don't journal all of the time, but it's important for me to keep track of events in my life that I might forget about or gloss over. It's like a personal record, so in 20 years when I'm living out some other life, I can read about what life was like now. Maybe even find inspiration or hope. Maybe compare notes and listen to what my younger self was saying.

I can't think of 6 ways, but I gave you 4 of my daily self-care routines off the top of my head.

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@Always25 Thankyou for sharing such an insightful post. This made me reflect on my self care practices and mine is more or less similar to yours with some additional practices. 

1. talking to a loved one - this really helps boost my self esteem as they know how to help me exactly. 

2. early morning run - i have started this practice recently and it gives me the energy to go about my whole day. 

@Always25

Stillness – Whether it's a few minutes of meditation, deep breathing (like your box breathing suggestion!), or just sitting quietly with a cup of tea, I’ve found that creating pockets of stillness in my day helps reset my nervous system

Writing – Journaling is where I process the things I can’t always put into conversation. It helps me check in with myself emotionally and mentally.

Movement – Gentle walks or stretching are a go-to for me, especially when I’ve been sitting too long or feeling stuck. Like you, I gravitate toward nature when possible—it adds another layer of healing.

Boundaries – I’ve been learning to say “no” more often and without guilt. Rest is productive too, and protecting my energy is a form of self-respect.

Connection – I make time to talk with people who make me feel safe and understood. Even a quick message or voice note can make a big difference in how supported I feel.

Joy – I try to intentionally do one thing each day that’s just for fun—whether it's music, a podcast, a funny video, or cooking something new. Joy can be a small but mighty act of care.

@Always25 great post I feel like my six steps are pretty similar to yours. They include being in nature so walking, listening to upbeat music eating properly getting, physical exercise, accepting what is, and private alone time when needed !

@Always25

great post! self care is often overlooked by the busy schedules of people, and this might lead to developing mental and/or physical complications and might lead to emotional burnout as well. 

@Always25

What my self-care looks like is I'm grieving the passing of my mom, so I give myself time to cry, think about her, look at pictures, and just be in the present. I binge watch shows when it gets to be too much or I sleep. I put my phone on dnd as to not be disturbed. I'm trying to eat better. I need to exercise more, but some days it is hard since I have two auto-immune diseases.

@Always25 I love how detailed and thoughtful your self-care steps are! I especially relate to spending time in nature and listening to music - both really help me reset and feel grounded. I also like how you emphasized accepting life’s imperfections; that mindset shift has made a huge difference for me in managing stress. Your post reminds me that self-care isn’t just about relaxation, but about creating habits that keep us centered and connected.

@Always25 my steps in making sure my self-care needs are met are...

1. Asking myself if i'm feeling okay, both physically and mentally.

2. I identify why I'm not feeling okay.

3. I identify how I can fix that.

4. Put physical self-care into action. I like to address physical self-care first as that relaxes me mentally, hitting both points.

5. Mental self-care. This can be something as simple as relaxing, sleep, or even indulging in one of my hobbies.

6. Clear my mind until I'm feeling better.

My mindset is very logical, everything is just different steps to me haha

@Always25

Thanks for sharing. 

2 ways I like to self care 

1. Go on a 30min walk 

2. Take myself on a solo date: hair, nails, restaurant, etc.

@Always25

Your question motivated me to draw up a Self-Care Program for myself:

• Mindful Breathing (10-15 minutes):  Try one breathing technique that calms your mind. Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and focus on your breath.
• Move Your Body (after every 1 hour): since my work is sedentary, an alarm is set to get up from my seat on the top of the hour and move around the house or flex your body.  
• Nourish Your Body (3 main meals, 2-3 snacks): Focus on whole foods, fruits, and veggies that will be balanced and nutritious to keep me healthy.
• Connect with Nature (15-30 minutes): Take a walk in a park, or simply sit outside and soak up some sunlight. Look for something new that you have not seen before.
• Creative Expression (15-30 minutes): Engage in creative activities that spark liveliness, like drawing, painting, or playing music. Let your imagination run wild!
• Digital Detox (1 hour before bed): Disconnect from screens 2 hours before bedtime. Read a book, meditate, or chat with loved ones.

I will be working on the above.