What is Self-Care? 

Self-care is when you consciously do things that make you feel better, either mentally or physically.  

When was the last time you did something just for you? A week? A month? Longer? Unfortunately, many of us forget all about self-care until its too late — and at that point, we go into emergency rescue mode instead.  

Don’t settle for the neglect cycle. Instead, work these simple self-care tips and self-care activities into your daily or weekly routine and feel better. 

Self-Care Tips and Activities to Try 

Self-care isn’t meant to be a chore. If you hate running, don’t run — walk instead. According to experts, walking and running are both excellent forms of cardio, so why not slow down — or even stop and smell the roses? Here are three other self-care activities to try. 

Mindful Breathing 

When you focus on — and modify — your breathing for the better, you practice mindful breathing. Mindful breathing is especially useful in stressful situations, when we tend to take shallow breaths. If you notice yourself doing this, take several deep, long breaths and you’ll probably feel better.  

Baths 

Baths are incredibly calming, but they’re not very common in the United States. We put our children in baths, but we shun bathing as adults in favor of showers. Are we all really too busy to sit still in warm scented water for an hour every now and again? Surely not.  

Baths don’t just cleanse, they help soothe sore muscles and give you an excuse not to do anything for an extended period of time. Bathing is a form of hydrotherapy — warm baths actually improve blood flow and heart health, and they can help you breathe more easily. 

Enjoying Nature 

Haven’t been able to enjoy nature because you live in a city? Get an on-demand car rental from Zipcar and explore some nearby trails on your schedule. An impromptu, energizing hike may be the reset that you need during a busy week. Not interested in leaving the city? Use your Zipcar to help transport everything you need to enjoy a picnic in the park or local gardens. 

Have a Self-Care Day. Heck, Have a Self-Care Weekend 

Looking for more involved self-care ideas you can indulge in over a day or a weekend? Look no further. Here are two longer self-care ideas: 

Self-Care Weekend Retreat 

You don’t have to spend thousands on a spa session to get away for the weekend. Instead, book a Zipcar and zoom off to that nearby town you have been wanting to visit. Stay for a couple of days—long enough to change your routine and come back feeling refreshed. 

Forest Bathing 

Take a Forest Bath. Traditionally called shinrin-yoku (shirin means forest, while yoku means bath in Japanese), forest bathing involves a trip to the woods, where you immerse yourself in nature for an hour or two. When you take part in forest bathing, you reconnect with the world at large — and having done so, you feel better.  

Make a Plan & Create a Self-Care Routine 

You can create a self-care routine, no matter how busy you are. Got ten minutes in the morning? Put your smartphone down, go outside and greet the morning sun. Have a five-minute window between appointments in the afternoon? Sit down, close your eyes and try to empty your mind. 

As you go through your day, try to identify little ways you can take care of yourself. Choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator, for instance. If it’s a beautiful evening, take a walk instead of watching TV. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take care of yourself.