I first want to start out by saying the term self-care means something different to everyone. My view of self-care may be different than yours, but I do know that it is a MUST for me. I have to make a point to schedule self-care time/days ahead of time; otherwise, it will not happen.
My self-care routine is something I do that does not include my usuals like haircut/color, my monthly-ish pedicures, and maintenance for skin. Those services are things that I consider my usuals and essential (yes, they are special), but they aren’t out of the norm for me to get. Your usuals/essentials may be botox/fillers, pilates, and therapy, but what does your self-care routine look like? Is it having your partner do bath and nighttime routine once a week so you can leave and go get a massage? And maybe you do that weekly? Is it a nightly bath where you light a ton of candles and read a book? Or maybe taking a half day from work and going to get coffee and having lunch by yourself?
Here are a few of my favorite things to do without kids and completely by myself. Feel free to reach out for suggestions on where to go around St. Louis.
If you haven’t experienced floating in a salt pod, I highly suggest it. It will give your body and mind a complete break. If you suffer from chronic pain, floating will help reduce your muscle tension. It also helps reduce stress hormones and decrease blood pressure!
Grabbing coffee at Nordstrom and walking around. Going to look around and not even buy anything. I love browsing during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I also think the eBar has some of the best coffee.
Lunch date with myself! No work allowed – is what I have to tell myself.
Getting a massage. A monthly massage does wonders for my physical body and my mental space. You could switch it up and do deep tissue or hot stone massage.
Booking yourself a one-night stay at a hotel. I have yet to try this one, but I plan to because I NEED IT. My recommendations would be The Ritz or The Four Seasons if you are feeling fancy. Otherwise, anywhere is a plus … right?
At some point, we were taught to hustle and work ourselves to exhaustion with no downtime and no time to ourselves. I used to feel WORTHLESS if I wasn’t constantly keeping myself busy. Well, I don’t know about you, but that has gotten me nowhere except complete health and mental exhaustion.
Take some time to think about something you will do for yourself this week and see how much more proactive and present you will be.
Pictured is one of my favorite coffee spots in Kirkwood.
XO,
Jenn
