The very idea of figuring out a self-care routine can be a stress in itself, becoming counter-productive. Should you use the time to meditate, or simply to sit and have a cup of coffee? Do you need to practice anything in particular? Read on for some tips as to how to incorporate an element of self-care in just fifteen minutes a day.
Firstly, self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming; fifteen minutes and some simple tweaks can make all the difference. For example, if you usually check your work emails on your phone before you even get out of bed, make a conscious decision to first sit in the garden or a calm place with a cup of tea or water, taking in your surroundings and enjoying the peace and quiet. Your work day does not need to start the second you open your eyes.
Perhaps you could use the fifteen minutes to mindfully eat your breakfast without multi-tasking. If you have children, it can be worth the effort of going to bed earlier just to give yourself the opportunity to rise earlier than them — we understand this can be difficult if your children are early risers, in which case, take the time during nap or school times to breathe and re-centre.
Simply sitting and savouring everything around you can be a powerful practice — how does that cup of coffee feel in your hands? What is the view from your window? Are the birds singing outside? Tune into the beauty of nature around you.
Or use your fifteen minutes to read something that pleases you — perhaps a magazine or book. Or write in a journal, mindfully planning your to-do list for the day. If you are able, some gentle stretching or yoga can help you start your day in a mindful way, and there are plenty of tutorials online if you need some guidance.
Sometimes, the best self-care you can offer is the gift of a little more sleep. Perhaps that’s where your fifteen minutes could be better spent — set your alarm a little later or go to bed earlier — your body will tell you what it needs.
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