Everyone is different. What works brilliantly for one person might feel impossible or pointless to another. The reason I started this blog was simple: if sharing what’s helped me can help someone else even a little, that genuinely means everything to me.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that self-care isn’t about doing everything. It’s about honesty.
Sometimes we truly don’t have time – life can be chaotic, unfair, exhausting. But sometimes (and I include myself here), we do have time… we’re just choosing to spend it in ways that don’t really help us feel good long-term. That’s where a bit of tough self-love comes in.
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Here’s a variety of tips you can pick and choose from to see what helps you!
Learning, Escaping & Switching Off (Podcasts + Reading)
Podcasts and books are still two of the most underrated self-care tools.
Podcasts are perfect for busy moments: commuting, cooking, tidying, walking. Books require more focus, which is exactly why I love reading in bed. Swapping phone scrolling for even ten minutes of reading helps your nervous system wind down and massively improves sleep quality. (Here are some of my previous book rec blogs)
Music as Mood Medicine
Music is non-negotiable for me. It shifts mood faster than almost anything else.
Morning playlists can set the tone for your day. Calm music helps regulate stress. Upbeat tracks make movement feel easier. Even having music on quietly while getting ready or doing housework makes daily life feel lighter.
Nutrition, Supplements & Realistic Balance
I enjoy food far too much to cut out everything “bad”, and I don’t believe in that approach anyway. My focus is simple: more good than bad, most of the time. Food isn’t just about weight. It impacts energy, mood, hormones, digestion, and mental clarity. When I eat well consistently, I feel better. Supplements can support this, especially if you’re run down, stressed, or dealing with gut or energy issues. I keep my current supplements saved in my Instagram highlights so everything is easy to find.
Food Organisation (This One Changes Everything)
Poor planning leads to poor choices – usually expensive ones.
Organising food saves time, money, and mental energy. Planning meals means fewer takeaways, less waste, and better nutrition without thinking about it constantly.
I like saving recipe inspiration on Instagram, then doing an online food shop so I’m not wandering aisles buying random things that don’t go together. Overlapping ingredients across meals helps reduce waste too.
Even if health isn’t your priority, efficiency usually is and this ticks both boxes.
Gentle Daily Wellness Habits That Add Up
These are small habits that don’t look dramatic on Instagram but genuinely make a difference when done consistently:
- Tongue scraping: helps oral hygiene, reduces morning bacteria buildup, supports digestion and fresh breath.
- Gua sha: improves circulation, lymphatic drainage, facial tension and puffiness — especially good if you hold stress in your jaw or neck.
- Vibrating plate: supports lymphatic movement, circulation and muscle activation — ideal if you’re low energy or sitting a lot. I just got one for Christmas and I am LOVING it – i’ve added a similar model to the links
- Breathwork: slow nasal breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce stress and anxiety quickly.
- Reading in bed: signals safety and calm to your brain before sleep.
- Wearable trackers: useful for awareness — sleep, movement, recovery — as long as you don’t become obsessive. Data should inform, not punish. I LOVE my Oura ring (blog review linked here) and my Whoop band (review coming soon)
- Redlight Therapy- hugely beneficial to your skin. Red light therapy works at a cellular level to support collagen, skin healing and inflammation reduction, making it a powerful but gentle tool for improving skin quality long-term. I have the Shark red-light mask that I’ve written a full review HERE
Journals, Lists & Mental Decluttering
Journaling doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ve learned that reflection is powerful even when it’s brief.
Weekly check-ins, short bullet points, or mood tracking can help you notice patterns and release mental pressure. Lists are another underrated tool — especially for stress.
I use:
- General life admin lists
- Daily to-do lists
- Gratitude lists (when I actually feel them, not just repeat them)
- Stress lists, where I write the worry – then write why it’s manageable or how to improve the issue
Getting things out of your head and onto paper creates space. That space matters.
Hydration & Sleep (The Boring Basics That Matter Most)
Water and sleep aren’t glamorous, but they underpin everything else.
Hydration supports energy, digestion, skin, focus and mood. Sleep supports emotional regulation, hormones, immune health — literally everything. Small rituals help: consistent bedtimes, calm routines, sleep sprays, reading instead of scrolling.
You don’t need perfection. You need consistency. I love using my tracker water bottle every day!
Movement Without Pressure
Any movement is better than none. Walking counts. Stretching counts. Gentle Pilates counts.
Movement doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. Make it enjoyable: good music, podcasts, fresh air, a coffee treat. Consistency beats intensity every time. Invest in a walking pad to get extra short bursts of movement in throughout the day or of an evening while watching TV.
Meditation, Breath & Mental Control
Meditation is hard — especially if your mind races (mine does). That’s usually a sign you need it more, not less.
Simple breathing — slow inhale through the nose, slow exhale through the mouth – can calm your nervous system within minutes. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back. That is the practice.
Being able to regulate your thoughts instead of being dragged around by them is one of the most powerful skills you can build.
Final Thoughts
This might feel like a lot — it’s not meant to be done all at once.
Start small. Choose what feels appealing, not overwhelming. Build gradually. If you drop a habit, don’t spiral into guilt — just start again tomorrow.
Being kind to yourself isn’t weakness. It’s the foundation for everything else.
If you wouldn’t speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself, it’s worth asking why you think that voice is helping.
Life is unpredictable. None of this is about perfection. It’s about feeling a little calmer, a little stronger, a little more like yourself – one habit at a time. That is more than enough!