15 practical ways to practice self-care

Heads up: You won’t find “bubble bath” or “face mask” anywhere on this list. This is a collection of practical self-care tips, because taking care of essential tasks like opening mail and dealing with bills promptly is crucial for self-care, especially for those of us with ADHD. When I let the mail pile up, for example, my “ambient stress” and “background anxiety” levels go up, so dealing with the mail is, while one of my least favorite tasks, an absolutely essential one for my mental health. And there are plenty of tasks like that - ones that might not count as “relaxation” or “me time,” but that set Future You up for better well-being. So here they are: 15 practical ways to practice self-care. I’m keeping this short and sweet because Lord knows I can’t focus on a blog post for longer than about four minutes.

Meal planning

Create a weekly meal plan to simplify grocery shopping and ensure nutritious meals are ready throughout the week. Grab my free weekly meal planning template here.

Set up automatic bill payments

Take advantage of online banking to set up automatic payments for bills, reducing the need to remember due dates.

Use a medication organizer

If you take medications, use a pill organizer to keep track of doses and avoid missing any. This is the one I use.

Implement a bedtime routine

Establish a calming bedtime routine to improve sleep quality and regulate your sleep schedule.

Create a designated workspace

Organize a specific area for work or study to help improve focus and productivity.

Digital decluttering

Regularly clean up your digital devices by organizing files, deleting unnecessary apps, and clearing out old emails.

Emergency preparedness kit

Assemble a kit with essential items like first aid supplies, a flashlight, and important documents, so you're ready for unexpected situations.

Weekly review session

Set aside time each week to review your schedule, tasks, and goals to stay on track and adjust as needed.

Utilize reminders and timers

Use alarms, timers, or smartphone apps to help you remember appointments, deadlines, and tasks.

Delegate tasks when possible

If you can, delegate some responsibilities to family members or colleagues to reduce your workload.

Practice deep breathing exercises

Incorporate simple breathing exercises to manage stress and anxiety during challenging times.

Keep a basic cleaning routine

Break down household chores into smaller, manageable tasks and spread them across the week to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Personal finance tracking

Use budgeting apps (I like YNAB) or spreadsheets to keep track of your expenses and financial goals.

Regularly backup important data

Make sure to back up important files and photos to prevent data loss.

Car maintenance schedule

Create a maintenance plan for your vehicle to ensure it's in good working condition and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Let me know in the comments what other practical self-care tips you have!

Love,

originally posted on emileereally.com 6 Feb 2024