Whether you are caring for yourself, someone else or both, loving yourself and practicing mindfulness is vital to your mental health.

Stress in the body can take a devastating toll leaving you exhausted and losing interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed.

Self-care involves being deliberate about taking care of the mind, body, and soul.

Maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health helps to handle daily stress and prevent emotional exhaustion.

Weekly Wellness & Self-Care Routine

Decrease stress for an hour a day, by engaging with people, activities, and projects that make you feel valued.

Create boundaries and say no to those who try to interfere and inflict guilt for choosing to schedule time for solitude.

• Journal for 5-10 minutes daily.

• Schedule a staycation with all electronics turned off for 24 hours. For ideas and tips, read my blog, DIY Spa Day at Home.

• Meditate for 5 minutes upon waking up. Wind down in the evening with yoga before going to bed. The video below is 50 minutes of ambient music to help you get in the mood.

• Go to a nail salon and learn how to give yourself a manicure and pedicure.

• Designate Sundays as audible book learning and discovery time for self-development.

• Stress affects how we absorb magnesium through our bodies. Taking an Epsom salt bath soak improves mood. Add 1-2 cups of Epsom bath salts, your favorite essential oil (peppermint, ylang-ylang, lavender) to warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes.

• Go for an evening walk and listen to Pandora’s Chill station.

• Schedule a date night with yourself. Find an easy recipe online to make and enjoy a Downton Abbey or Harry Potter weekend marathon.

• Go on a short road trip. Spend the day at a state or national park you have never visited before.