OK Let’s get real. If you are not working toward implementing a self-care routine at least weekly, you are doing yourself a disservice. We are living in strange times. Maybe watching the nightly news or perusing news apps gets your adrenaline surging. Maybe scrolling Facebook just means reading the comment sections on posts where everyone is fighting about anything and everything! Maybe you can’t shake the uncertainty looming in the future of your job and income. Maybe your family is driving you bonkers!

Does this sound like you? Then keep reading. If not, share your zen lifestyle tips in the comment section below. At the very least, you must find 15 minutes on a weekly basis for “me time”. During this time, get quiet, prioritize sensory experiences, and sit with yourself. Here are seven elements to consider when planning for your next self-care session!

1. SENSE OF SIGHT: Select a location in your home, even just a corner of a room, where you can keep favorite beautiful and comforting items such as houseplants, framed quotes or prints, comforting photographs, spiritual or religious figurines, your favorite flower in faux form, etc. Whether you choose to close your eyes or not, walking over to these items will bring you joy!
2. SENSE OF SMELL: Consider lighting a candle, incense, or essential oil burner during your self-care session. People develop strong memories associated with smells, and routinely lighting your favorite lavender scented candle or frankincense can cue your brain to wind down! Even a comforting lotion or fragrance can be the perfect addition to your self-care routine.
3. SENSE OF TASTE: Bring along a simple glass of water or a cup of herbal tea to your next self-care session. I personally avoid drinking caffeine during self-care time, so either do it before your first cup of coffee or tea; or in the evening when the caffeine has (theoretically) worn off! Herbal teas come in soooo many varieties. Next time you are in the grocery store, pick out something new to make you smile!
4. SENSE OF TOUCH: Get cozy with fuzzy socks, comforting blankets, a favorite sweatshirt, squishy pillows, comfy pants, or a teddy bear (this is a judgement free zone). You are building a personal piece of comfort heaven. Once upon a time, I piled up pillows in a corner of my office for a cozy place to rest and recuperate. Now, I’ve invested in some super comfy recliner chairs for my husband and I to get centered and manifest!
5. SENSE OF SOUND: Maybe you are looking for some peace and quiet. But consider some meditation music (just Google it- it’s all over YouTube!), binaural beats with headphones, or a playlist of favorite high vibe songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love grunge as much as the next millennial. But we have got to stick to positive themed music during this precious time! Also, I recently discovered Tibetan singing bowls. There are so many comforting meditative instruments out there. Whatever floats your boat! If you are new to meditation, try a “guided meditation” on YouTube.
6. COMFORTABLE POSITION: If you can sit in a crossed-leg yoga position and feel comfortable, then do it. If not, consider sitting in a chair, against the wall, or lying on the floor. If you’re like my husband who falls asleep within a few minutes of laying down, that may not be the best for this time intended for self-care. You should feel like you are treating yourself to a comfortable and sensory experience that is all about you!
7. SETTING INTENTION: Is your intention to think about a problem plaguing you in hopes of discovering a solution? Or to listen to your intuition that is constantly being drowned out by the noise of the crazy world? Or is it to treat yourself physically with self-massage or an epsom salt foot soak? Or to journal? Set an intention for your time and focus on accomplishing this goal in the 5-45 minutes you carve out for yourself!

Do you have other suggestions for self-care beginners? Leave a comment below to share the love with me and my readers!