Between long hours at work, weekend chores, dinner plans with friends, and time for your family, your calendar is overflowing. But can you remember the last time you took an hour, maybe even two, for yourself? If you had to think longer than a few seconds, you may want to consider taking a step back and reevaluating your schedule. <\/p>\n
Prioritizing everyone else in your life may seem honorable, but the reality is, totally neglecting yourself isn\u2019t good for anyone. In order to take care of others, you first need to take care of yourself. (It’s kind of like the safety messages on airplanes: “In the event of an emergency, please put on your oxygen mask before assisting others.\u201d) <\/p>\n
So whether you\u2019re facing a rough patch or simply going through the day-to-day grind, self-care should always be on your agenda. Need some inspiration on how to spend your me-time? Here are some self-care practices the editors at Health swear by.<\/p>\n
RELATED: 5 Powerful Mantras to Help You Quiet Anxiety, Beat Self-Doubt, Manage Stress, and More<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n
Sweat it out<\/b><\/p>\n
“It\u2019s the answer you always hear, but making time every day to exercise is my form of self-care. I\u2019m a firm believer in that saying, \u2018You\u2019re only one workout away from a good mood.\u2019 In particular, boxing is a huge physical and mental release for me, and barre classes take me back to my ballet days, which feels especially therapeutic. My other self-care move is curling up in my giant fuzzy blanket and watching Sex and the City reruns. It\u2019s mindless and relaxing and just feels great sometimes.” \u2014Jacqueline Andriakos, associate editor<\/p>\n
Tune in to YouTube<\/b><\/p>\n
“When I\u2019m feeling down, I typically turn to my favorite form of escapism: YouTube videos. Having a moment when I can just veg out, slap on a calming sheet mask, and watch a video by one of my favorite YouTubers (looking at you, Est\u00e9e Lalonde and SoothingSista), allows me to momentarily get out of my own head. It might sound silly, but just like reading a good book, watching a good YouTube video takes me out of my own world and into someone else\u2019s, even if just for 10 minutes. It\u2019s enough time for me to put my thoughts and feelings into perspective and luckily, if I need more than 10 minutes of down time, there\u2019s a whole YouTube world out there waiting for me to enjoy.”\u2014Julia Naftulin, editorial assistant<\/p>\n
RELATED: 8 Relaxing Gift Ideas for a Friend Who’s Stressed to the Max<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n
Create a relaxing routine<\/b><\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve recently started a new nighttime self-care routine that I think has been helping me de-stress and fall asleep a little more easily. Step 1: Turn off the TV around 10 p.m. and force myself to stop refreshing my Facebook feed. Step 2: Make a cup of chamomile tea. Step 3: Turn off all lights in my bedroom, light a few candles, and set up my yoga mat. Step 4: Do the \u201cBedtime Yoga\u201d sequence from Yoga by Adriene. It\u2019s a 36-minute gentle yoga routine that includes moves to help you unwind and relax muscles, plus a short meditation to set your intentions for the following day.” \u2014Kathleen Mulpeeter, senior editor<\/p>\n
Grab some knitting needles<\/b><\/p>\n
“Lately I\u2019ve been doing a lot of knitting. At first it was for practical reasons (I\u2019m making my husband a scarf for Christmas), but I\u2019ve found it has emotional benefits too. The repetitive motion is super soothing, almost meditative\u2014it\u2019s a great before-bed wind-down activity. I\u2019m just bad enough a knitter that I have to concentrate a little on what I\u2019m doing\u2014I can\u2019t knit on autopilot\u2014so it\u2019s very absorbing. I can be sitting on the couch or at the sidelines during my kids\u2019 sports activities and find that 30 minutes has gone by without my even noticing. There\u2019s the satisfaction of having something real and tactile to show for my time. Best of all, it keeps both hands busy so I stay off my phone!” \u2014Jeannie Kim, executive deputy editor<\/p>\n
“A few years ago I was going through a rough period in my life and I decided to take up knitting at night when I was having a hard time sleeping. My aunt had taught me the basic stitch when I was a teenager, so I went to my local Michael\u2019s store and bought a bright chunky ball of yarn and got started. Since then, I\u2019ve knit scarves for everyone I love, and this winter I\u2019m planning on paying it forward with a knitting circle making scarves for homeless people in NYC.” \u2014MaryAnn Barone, social media editor<\/p>\n
RELATED: <\/b>A Meditation for Dealing With Conflict<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n
Escape with Friends<\/b><\/p>\n
“There is nothing better than coming home after a long day, lighting some great smelling candles, having a cup of tea and reading a good book in my bed. If I\u2019m not in the mood to focus on a book, I\u2019ll instead put on Friends or some other happy, funny TV show in the background and play games on my iPad. I could do that for days.” \u2014Chelsey Hamilton, editorial assistant<\/p>\n
Pound the pavement<\/b><\/p>\n
“If I can, I head out for a run. Especially in the cold weather, a run is very meditative for me\u2014hearing each foot strike and a steady breath can be extremely grounding. And as someone who can\u2019t sit still, classic meditation\/breathing exercises do almost nothing for me to relax. Running is also a huge confidence boost\u2014I feel powerful and in control of my body and mind. In training for races, I\u2019ve forgotten how much a run can absolutely turn around my perspective. When you\u2019re going out for a predetermined amount of miles, at a certain pace, on already tired legs, it can feel like such a chore. But last week, when I was feeling stressed and antsy, I decided to head out the door and run for however long I felt like. I came back feeling relaxed and re-centered.” \u2014Alison Mango, editorial producer<\/p>\n
Pick up a good read<\/b><\/p>\n
“I know it sounds clich\u00e9, but getting lost in a book is my favorite form of self-care. With a two-year-old at home, I don\u2019t have that much time to read. But I sneak in 10 minutes here and there\u2014on the bus, while my son naps, before bed. Right now I\u2019m halfway through Amy Schumer\u2019s The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, and it is exactly the escape I need.” \u2014Catherine Di Benedetto, features director<\/p>\n
RELATED: 7 Health Truths We Wish We Knew In Our 20s<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n
Laugh at what you know<\/b><\/p>\n
“For me, self-care is curling up on the couch and watching a TV show that makes me laugh. When I\u2019m feeling stressed, my go-tos are reruns of Seinfeld, Parks Recreation, 30 Rock, and The Office\u2014I\u2019ve seen all the episodes more times than I can count, but that\u2019s the beauty of it. Watching them helps shut off the negative part of my brain for a while.” \u2014Christine Mattheis, deputy editor<\/p>\n
This article originally appeared on Health.com.<\/i><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n
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