A Beginner's Guide to Self-Care: My Daily Self-Care Routine 2022

KAYLA TOBIAS
Nov 12, 2022
7 min read

Updated: Nov 15, 2022

Your Ultimate Guide to a Refreshing Routine that puts you in the center of self-love, productivity, and kindness.

I never used to be someone who understood the importance of #selfcare. However, since 2020 and the pandemic, I have started college, moved to #NewYorkCity, and have taken on many opportunities. Through these experiences, I have grown to understand the importance of self-care and what that means for me. Sometimes I need a nice hot shower, sometimes I need some late-night #McDonalds, and sometimes I just need a nap!

Today I want to share with you my 2022 #dailyselfcareroutine in hopes that you gain some tips on how to get through your day with your mind, body, and soul in mind.

What is self-care, and why is it important?

Before jumping into my routine, I think we must understand what self-care is and how it is critical for our well-being. There are many different definitions of self-care. The World Health Organization defines self-care as "the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker."

Though this definition focuses on staying physically healthy for self-care (hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed), mental health is just as important for our self-care. With this said, I try to keep in mind both my physical and mental well-being throughout my day. This could mean cooking a meal, walking, crossing something off my to-do list, making art, and doing yoga. You can find more examples of self-care activities here.

Finding a balance is definitely not easy, and takes time to adapt - I need to emphasize that. However, in sharing my daily self-care routine, I hope you find some inspiration to create your routine and incorporate self-care activities into your life where it fits.

Contents of This Post:

My Morning Self-Care (8 AM-11 AM)

My Afternoon Self-Care (12 PM-4 PM)

My Night Self-Care (5 PM-11 PM)

My Morning Self-Care (8 AM-11 AM)

Though the morning time may not be when I am most productive, it is when I ground myself and reflect on my intentions for the day. In the morning, I like to try and wake up at a consistent time. However, with some of my classes on different days, that is not always easy. Instead, I try to focus on following the same routine, regardless of when I wake up. My morning self-care routine includes the following:

Drink water.

I also make sure to have my HyrdroFlask by my bed, so the first thing I do is take a few sips of water or a lot, depending on how dehydrated I am. I love having cold water to wake me up.

Make my bed.

I am a firm believer in creating healthy habits, and one of the easiest is starting to make your bed every morning. I started this habit in high school and have not skipped making my bed since then. Why? Because making your bed may improve your sleep quality. A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who make their bed in the morning are 19 percent more likely to have a good night’s sleep every night.

Eat a yummy breakfast.

Yummy doesn't mean it has to lack nutrition. That's why I enjoy a good-sized breakfast before my three-hour morning classes. I enjoy some avocado toast or even just cereal and a protein bar. I also drink decaf coffee as a nice flavored drink in the morning.

Staying away from social media.

I love to play music in the morning, which means I am on my phone. However, I try to avoid endless scrolling on Instagram or TikTok as it makes me feel unproductive and anxious while starting my day. You can listen to my current favorite playlist on Spotify here.

Preparing my calendar.

After I've eaten my breakfast and gotten dressed for the day, I like to look at my Google Calendar and check what I have scheduled for the day. This helps me mentally prepare if it is a busy day or more on the lighter side.

I will definitely say I am more of a night owl in terms of getting schoolwork done, but it always feels good waking up early and being able to take my mornings slow. Being in NYC means everything is fast pace so having a slow morning helps remind me that it's okay to take time for myself, especially if I have a whole day ahead of me.

My Afternoon Self-Care (12 PM-4 PM)

During the day, it is so easy for me to lose track of how I am feeling, both physically and mentally. Have I gotten up from the computer yet? Did I drink enough water? Have I socialized with my friends or coworkers? These are all questions I consistently need to ask myself, so I can get some self-care to stay productive and happy. My afternoon self-care routine includes the following:

Take breaks.

Since I work on a computer sitting down most of the day, I like to get up a stretch my body (especially my neck). I also take deep breaths and rest my eyes away from my computer and phone screen. I use the app BreakTimer, which reminds me to take breaks.

Eat snacks. It is easy for me to forget about eating until lunch. However, it is important to get nutritious throughout the day with snacks like trail mix, fruit, or a protein bar. Those are just some of the snacks I pack on the go and while at home so I do not get angry or irritated when I am hungry.

Hydrate.

In the morning, I always drink water, and it does not stop there. I make sure to really fill up my HydroFlask to avoid dehydration. If I do not drink enough water, I can get a headache, feel light-headed, and tired.

Socialize with friends.

Something that is easy to miss is if I have not talked to anyone yet during the day. This is why I like to find a friend a lunch or even send voice messages to my mom about how my day is going. Doing so is also a nice way to reflect on what has happened during the day.

Listen to music or a podcast.

When I have time to sit and listen to music or a podcast, I always take advantage of doing so. Sometimes I get bored with my playlists, so I choose to listen to a podcast instead. One of my favorite podcasts at the moment is Insanely Chill w/ Cody Ko, which I listen to on Spotify.

Engage in a hobby.

Doing a puzzle, coloring, or taking a walk to get a coffee are some of my favorite daytime activities to get my mind off of things and put a smile on my face. I especially love going to the park in NYC because I get to see all the dogs!

These steps are just some I take during my day to avoid getting overwhelmed. There are some days when I will not socialize with friends or have time to do an activity. However, I always make room for staying hydrated, taking a break, and eating snacks. These are critical to feeling good throughout the day and giving your body energy to be productive.

My Night Self-Care (5 PM-11 PM)

I like to call nighttime my "prime time" because my self-care routine is always the best at night. During the hours right before bed, my body is ready to unwind, and my mind is ready to rest. The way we spend our night sets us up for a great tomorrow which is why I value my sleep to wake up feeling as good as possible. My night self-care routine includes the following:

Take a hot shower.

I love a nice shower, especially when the water is really hot as it calms the tension in my muscles. I love to use my Tree Hut Tahitian Vanilla Bean Shea Sugar Body Scrub from Target, which gives me a nice exfoliation after shaving my legs.

Do stretches or yoga.

Our bodies go through so much during the day, especially if you commute to work or sit in an office all day. I do some simple stretches and nighttime yoga. My favorite nighttime yoga is a 10 Minute Bedtime Yoga routine by Yoga With Adriene. She makes it so easy to follow, and her voice is so peaceful.

Prep for the next day.

To make my life easier the next day, I always prep my backpack and my clothes for the next day (including snacks or my lunch).

Clean my space.

I love a clean room and apartment, so I always make sure to clean my space since I find it relaxing. Sometimes I vacuum and wipe down the countertops so I do not have a pile of mess to deal with the next day.

Avoid electronics for 30-60 minutes before bed.

Staying away from social media is what helps me the most and lets my mind wander. I like to journal about my day and reflect on any thoughts. Most of the time, I need prompts to guide my writing, so I will follow a month-long journaling guide.

I stated that self-care looks different for everyone, which is shown in this post. Some people may not consider cleaning or prepping for the day to be self-care the way I do. However, these activities calm me down and make my mornings less stressful.

Now, Time For You To Do Some Self-Care

There you have it! All my self-care routines throughout the day. I want to emphasize that not every step is something I am able to achieve each day, but it is a mix of some steps that I include regularly in my day-to-day routines.

I recommend checking out this Self-Care Workbook I have used myself for more resources to help you create your self-care routine! Also, feel free to share this post with your friends who may need more self-care and self-love!

Your Ultimate Guide to a Refreshing Routine that puts you in the center of self-love, productivity, and kindness.

Today I want to share with you my 2022 #dailyselfcareroutine in hopes that you gain some tips on how to get through your day with your mind, body, and soul in mind.

What is self-care, and why is it important?

Finding a balance is definitely not easy, and takes time to adapt - I need to emphasize that. However, in sharing my daily self-care routine, I hope you find some inspiration to create your routine and incorporate self-care activities into your life where it fits.

Contents of This Post:

My Morning Self-Care (8 AM-11 AM)

My Afternoon Self-Care (12 PM-4 PM)

My Night Self-Care (5 PM-11 PM)

My Morning Self-Care (8 AM-11 AM)

Drink water.

I also make sure to have my HyrdroFlask by my bed, so the first thing I do is take a few sips of water or a lot, depending on how dehydrated I am. I love having cold water to wake me up.

Make my bed.

Eat a yummy breakfast.

Yummy doesn't mean it has to lack nutrition. That's why I enjoy a good-sized breakfast before my three-hour morning classes. I enjoy some avocado toast or even just cereal and a protein bar. I also drink decaf coffee as a nice flavored drink in the morning.

Staying away from social media.

I love to play music in the morning, which means I am on my phone. However, I try to avoid endless scrolling on Instagram or TikTok as it makes me feel unproductive and anxious while starting my day. You can listen to my current favorite playlist on Spotify here.

Preparing my calendar.

After I've eaten my breakfast and gotten dressed for the day, I like to look at my Google Calendar and check what I have scheduled for the day. This helps me mentally prepare if it is a busy day or more on the lighter side.

My Afternoon Self-Care (12 PM-4 PM)

Take breaks.

Since I work on a computer sitting down most of the day, I like to get up a stretch my body (especially my neck). I also take deep breaths and rest my eyes away from my computer and phone screen. I use the app BreakTimer, which reminds me to take breaks.

Hydrate.

In the morning, I always drink water, and it does not stop there. I make sure to really fill up my HydroFlask to avoid dehydration. If I do not drink enough water, I can get a headache, feel light-headed, and tired.

Socialize with friends.

Something that is easy to miss is if I have not talked to anyone yet during the day. This is why I like to find a friend a lunch or even send voice messages to my mom about how my day is going. Doing so is also a nice way to reflect on what has happened during the day.

Listen to music or a podcast.

When I have time to sit and listen to music or a podcast, I always take advantage of doing so. Sometimes I get bored with my playlists, so I choose to listen to a podcast instead. One of my favorite podcasts at the moment is Insanely Chill w/ Cody Ko, which I listen to on Spotify.

Engage in a hobby.

Doing a puzzle, coloring, or taking a walk to get a coffee are some of my favorite daytime activities to get my mind off of things and put a smile on my face. I especially love going to the park in NYC because I get to see all the dogs!

My Night Self-Care (5 PM-11 PM)

Take a hot shower.

I love a nice shower, especially when the water is really hot as it calms the tension in my muscles. I love to use my Tree Hut Tahitian Vanilla Bean Shea Sugar Body Scrub from Target, which gives me a nice exfoliation after shaving my legs.

Do stretches or yoga.

Prep for the next day.

To make my life easier the next day, I always prep my backpack and my clothes for the next day (including snacks or my lunch).

Clean my space.

I love a clean room and apartment, so I always make sure to clean my space since I find it relaxing. Sometimes I vacuum and wipe down the countertops so I do not have a pile of mess to deal with the next day.

Avoid electronics for 30-60 minutes before bed.

Staying away from social media is what helps me the most and lets my mind wander. I like to journal about my day and reflect on any thoughts. Most of the time, I need prompts to guide my writing, so I will follow a month-long journaling guide.

I stated that self-care looks different for everyone, which is shown in this post. Some people may not consider cleaning or prepping for the day to be self-care the way I do. However, these activities calm me down and make my mornings less stressful.

Now, Time For You To Do Some Self-Care

There you have it! All my self-care routines throughout the day. I want to emphasize that not every step is something I am able to achieve each day, but it is a mix of some steps that I include regularly in my day-to-day routines.

I recommend checking out this Self-Care Workbook I have used myself for more resources to help you create your self-care routine! Also, feel free to share this post with your friends who may need more self-care and self-love!

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