3 Tips for Starting a Self-Care Routine
You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a popular trend that encourages setting aside time each week to nourish your mind and body. Whether your self-care routine happens on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or even in small moments throughout the day—choosing to prioritize yourself is a powerful step.
Self-care isn’t indulgent or selfish. When practiced intentionally, it can support your mental and emotional health, improve physical well-being, strengthen relationships, and enhance overall quality of life. If you’re just getting started, here are three simple and realistic tips to help you build a sustainable self-care routine.
1. Think About Your Goals
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you think about improving every area of your life at once. Instead of trying to do everything, start by identifying one or two areas you’d like to focus on first.
Examples of self-care goals may include:
Reduce daily stress
Improve sleep
Set healthier boundaries
Create more time for leisure
Once you’ve clarified your goals, consider what activities support them. For example— journaling, starting an exercise routine, saying "no" more, or practicing mindfulness. It’s also helpful to think about where you can turn for support—whether that’s trusted loved ones, community resources, or professional guidance.
2. Block Off Time for Yourself
Most people don’t hesitate to schedule time for work, school, or family obligations, yet self-care often gets pushed aside. If something matters, it deserves space on your calendar.
Start by blocking off a realistic amount of time—whether that’s 15 minutes, an hour, or a full day—and treat it like any other commitment. Consistency is more important than duration. Protecting this time helps reinforce that your well-being matters and allows self-care to become part of your routine rather than an afterthought.
Ways to intentionally make time for self-care:
Schedule self-care into your calendar
Set phone reminders to pause or check in with yourself
Create a regular routine (morning, evening, or weekly)
Let others know you’re unavailable during this time
Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming and it can look like whatever you’d like. It can be as simple as going for a short walk outside, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, reading a few pages of a book, or practicing a brief grounding or breathing exercise.
3. Include Therapy as Part of Self-Care
Self-care is often portrayed as something we do on our own, but one of the most effective forms of self-care is seeking professional support. Therapy provides a dedicated space to explore thoughts and emotions, process stress, and develop tools that support long-term mental health.
Therapy can support self-care by helping you:
Identify emotional triggers and patterns
Develop healthier coping skills
Improve communication and boundaries
Manage stress, anxiety, or low mood
Stay accountable to your mental health goals
Working with a therapist can help you better understand your needs, break unhelpful patterns, and create personalized strategies that align with your goals. Therapy isn’t only for times of crisis—it’s a proactive way to care for yourself and invest in your emotional well-being.
Schedule an appointment
Our experienced and compassionate team is here to support you. We offer individualized care and practical guidance to help you build a self-care routine that truly works for you. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.