It’s easy to let self-care fall by the wayside in today’s busy world. But taking care of ourselves is crucial for managing stress, staying balanced, and improving our overall well-being. This collection of expert advice offers practical and easy-to-implement self-care ideas you can do at home, no matter how packed your schedule is. Whether you live in a stylish Atlanta condo, a luxury Dallas high-rise, or a cozy Fort Worth house, this guide will help you create the perfect self-care routine.
1. Mindful moments and daily rituals
Intuitive consultant Krishanti stresses the importance of a consistent self-care routine, whether that means scheduling dedicated blocks of time or weaving meaningful moments into your day. Her advice? Focus on activities that you truly enjoy and that resonate with you.
Monica Ramirez of Total Healing and Wellness recommends simple daily practices to strengthen your connection with your body. These include a mindful morning tea; asking yourself, “What does my body need today?”; taking an afternoon “Body Awareness Pause” with deep breaths and a quick physical check-in; and reflecting in the evening with the question, “What’s one thing I did today to honor my body?”
Ravin Joseph, founder of Candid Soul Co., believes that just 5-7 minutes each morning spent in prayer and setting intentions can make a big difference. “I like to light a Candid Soul candle and jot down my thoughts in a journal,” Ravin shares. “At Candid Soul Co., we love to start our day with gratitude and establish our priorities for the day ahead.”
Molly G. Black of Wellness with Molly encourages you to “romanticize your routines.” Even everyday tasks like drinking your morning coffee or walking your dog can become moments of self-care. Simply take a moment to be present. Notice the aroma of your coffee, the rising steam, or the crunch of leaves under your feet. It’s like a mini-meditation you can do throughout your day.
2. Creating a sanctuary at home
Creating a calming home environment
Danjiela Saponjic, CEO and founder of Unfolding Space emphasizes the importance of a calming home entrance as a way to transition from the outside world. The idea is to create a tranquil atmosphere where you can leave stress behind as soon as you walk in the door.
Julia Scott, owner of Efficiently Neat, agrees, noting that “A cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind.” She recommends even just five minutes of decluttering to create a sense of calm.
Designing a dedicated relaxation space
Sabrina Cadini, a holistic precision life and wellness coach, suggests creating a dedicated relaxation space at home. This could be a simple, intentional area — perhaps even a tech-free zone — where you can unwind.
Erin with Muse + Moonstone adds, “Maintaining high vibrational energy in your space is the ultimate form of energetic self-care. Working with high vibrational crystals helps to keep the energy flowing, preventing negative energy from causing stagnation.”
3. Engaging the senses and embracing ritual
Georgia Vanderville introduces the “Fragrance Flip™,” a simple way to use scented candles to shift your mindset from negative to positive. Similarly, Caroline of 1502 Candle Co. reminds us that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury, and suggests creating rituals like lighting an Affirmation candle to create a peaceful atmosphere and encourage mindful moments. Deborah Roth, Founder of Spirited Living™, offers “One Minute Self-Care”— a quick and easy way to boost your mood by engaging one of your five senses.
4. Prioritizing rest, productivity, and boundaries
Though all of us need to work on adding more rest and implementing boundaries to our lives, that could be especially true of entrepreneurs, whose lives revolve around keeping up the hustle.
Productivity life coach Juli Shulem has great advice for busy entrepreneurs: Set clear boundaries for your work hours, unplug every day, and schedule wellness activities just like you would any other important task. She sees self-care as a way to boost your productivity. Leslie Maxie also emphasizes several key points: prioritizing sleep, adding superfoods to your diet, setting boundaries (and remembering that “no” is a perfectly acceptable answer), exercising regularly, and practicing mindfulness. Kabrena, Founder of Kb in Bloom, offers a powerful perspective: “Busy women deserve to send guilt on an extended vacation so the ease-filled life we crave can unpack and make itself at home. When we prioritize rest and joy, we’re not falling behind—we’re finally catching up with the version of ourselves we’ve been longing to be.”
5. Quick techniques and habit stacking
Vita Vie Retreat, Inc. emphasizes taking small, manageable steps, like short walks, quick meditations, deep breathing exercises, or listening to calming music. Holistic precision life and wellness coach Sabrina Cadini recommends “habit stacking”—pairing self-care activities with things you already do. This is a strategy also endorsed by Erin M. Ratliff of Synergetic Space. Marilyn Cross Coleman, LCSW, PMH-C at Shameless Mama Wellness, suggests quick and easy options like a hot bath, a cup of tea, deep breathing, or a short walk. She also recommends delegating tasks whenever possible.
6. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and intentionality
Life coach Wade Brill suggests prioritizing “sacred your time”—taking the time to slow down, regulate your nervous system, and practice self-compassion. Abby Hartman of Therapy with Abby reminds us that we don’t have to define ourselves by how busy we are and that nurturing our relationship with ourselves is key. Karen Buxcel, founder and lead instructor of Sōl Yoga Collective, advises us to be more aware of what we say “yes” and “no” to. Finally, Susan Van Note, a somatic experiencing practitioner and trauma-informed bodyworker, defines self-care as making intentional choices about what we consume and use, emphasizing conscious decisions rather than focusing on denial.
7. Journaling, grounding, and connecting with yourself
Michelle Melo of Remember Love Healing recommends a simple but powerful practice: Swap just five minutes of screen time each day for journaling. It’s a great way to reflect and clear your mind. Jessica of Jess Kay Crystals suggests “grounding your energy” before you start your day or tackle specific tasks. She recommends using crystals and deep breathing exercises to help you feel centered and focused. And Jesse Stark of Singing Bowl Healing suggests carving out some time to read. Reading can be incredibly relaxing and can also help you focus your intentions for the day ahead.
8. Nurturing holistic well-being
Comfort Nyeswah-Wiafe advises prioritizing activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. She also recommends creating grounding routines and being flexible enough to adjust them as your life changes. Giada Crepaldi, a blogger with Purposeful Dreamers, wisely points out that neglecting self-care has a ripple effect on every other part of your life. As she says, “You won’t be able to take care of others if you don’t water your garden first. Even if you’re extra busy, consider taking care of yourself as a way to indirectly take care of others too.” Chioma Onyema, blogger at The Other Dreamer, suggests revisiting old hobbies or exploring new ones. Kingdom Blueprint emphasizes self-care as a vital Christian practice, recommending activities like prayer, personal development reading, and calisthenics.
For physical well-being, Drs. Callista Lay and Rachel Vittardi of Revive Chiropractic recommend a short 5-10 minute stretching routine before bed and avoiding phone use right before sleep. Dr. Tamiera Harris, founder and CEO of Black Career Coach, shares her helpful “5-4-3-2-1 Wind-Down” method: tidying, prioritizing, stretching, practicing gratitude, and focused breathing. Karen E. Loesing advises prioritizing good ergonomics in your workspace and daily life.
Dr. Elyssa M. Lassiter with The Say Life Coach reminds us, “Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Even in the busiest of schedules, taking a moment for yourself replenishes your energy and focus.”
Sheri “The Revitalizer” Kaplan believes self-care is about creating a positive environment around you, which can even include things like car care and using supportive tools like a leg wedge. Finally, Susan Van Note, a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, explains that self-care is all about intentionality: being mindful of what you consume, both physically and mentally, and being intentional about the tools and practices you use.
Final thoughts: making self-care a priority
Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. These at-home self-care ideas offer simple tips for busy lives, encouraging you to make time for yourself at home and create a space where you can truly recharge and renew. By incorporating these effective strategies, you can prioritize your well-being and live a more balanced and fulfilling life, even when things get busy.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, financial, or other professional advice. The self-care techniques and recommendations shared by the various experts are suggestions for enhancing well-being and should not be considered a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.
While the advice offered is based on the experiences and perspectives of the featured individuals, individual results may vary. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or other relevant expert before making any significant changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, or mental health practices, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns.
The authors and publishers of this information are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences that may result from the use of the information presented. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.
