International Self-Care Day falls on 24 July, and it is the perfect moment to check in with yourself.
Self-care can sound like it needs a spare afternoon and a whole new routine. The good news is that it does not. The self-care practices that genuinely lift your mood are usually the simple ones, and they slot easily into a normal, busy day.
Here are a few worth building into yours.
Breathe
Your breath is one of the quickest, easiest ways to feel calmer, wherever you happen to be. It sounds almost too simple, but slow, steady breathing gently settles your nervous system, and the rest of you follows.
Give it a go. In through your nose for four counts, hold for four, and out through your mouth for four. Repeat a few times. It works just as well at your desk, in the car, or before a big moment as it does on the sofa.
No app, no equipment. Just a minute and a little bit of attention.
Write It Down
Journaling has a reputation for being fancier than it is. You do not need lovely handwriting or profound thoughts. All it takes is a page and a few minutes.
Putting your thoughts on paper is a lovely way to clear your head. Some people set their intentions in the morning, others reflect on the day in the evening, and plenty do both. A simple brain dump works just as well. There really is no wrong way to do it.
A notebook you like the look of makes it all the more inviting. Our Field Botany Notebook is a lovely A5 size to keep in your bag or on your bedside table, ready whenever the mood strikes.
Make Time to Unwind
Rest is not something you have to earn once everything else is ticked off. It is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.
Treat downtime like a proper appointment rather than something you squeeze in if there is time left over. An early night, a slow Sunday morning, twenty quiet minutes that are just for you.
A small ritual is a lovely way to mark the shift from on to off. Lighting a candle at the end of the day is a gentle signal that work is done and the evening is yours. Our edit of candles and diffusers includes Glasshouse, Ashley & Co, and Amber + Jack. Choose the scent that feels like calm to you.
Do Something You Love
Time spent on a hobby, purely because you enjoy it, is never wasted. It is how you top yourself back up. No output, no pressure, no one watching.
Cooking is a great place to start. There is something grounding about slowing down, following a recipe and losing yourself in the process. Pick something new for the weekend and enjoy taking your time with it. Our cookbooks are full of recipes worth setting aside a quiet afternoon for.
If cooking is not your thing, find the hobby that is. The Art Of Joy by Jen Sievers is a gorgeous one to pick up, full of playful, creative prompts for making a little more joy in your everyday. No experience needed, just a bit of curiosity.
Prioritise Movement
Movement is not only about fitness. Getting out of your head and into your body is one of the quickest ways to give your mood a lift, and it does not need to be a workout to count.
A stretch when you first wake up. A brisk walk outside on your lunch break. Fresh air and a change of scene can turn a whole afternoon around. Even ten minutes in nature makes a real difference to how you feel.
Find the kind of movement you actually look forward to, and the habit takes care of itself.
Lean On Your People
We are wired for connection, and catching up with the people we love is one of the best mood-boosters going. Reaching out matters more than you might think.
Message the friend you keep meaning to call. Say yes to the coffee. A quick, genuine catch-up can do far more for you than another evening scrolling on the sofa.
Kindness is a two-way street, too. Doing something for someone else, however small, is one of the most reliable ways to feel good in yourself. It is something we hold close at Flo & Frankie. Learn how we practise community kindness, and the women and children our giving helps to support around the world.
Start Small
The best bit about self-care is that you do not have to do everything at once. Pick one idea that speaks to you and give it a go this week. If it sticks, add another.
It really is far less about grand gestures than it is about the small, feel-good habits you can keep up.
However you spend International Self-Care Day, we hope it is a lovely one.
Enjoyed this blog? We have a whole shelf of books on wellness to keep the good feeling going.
