Radical Self-Care Tips from Dr. Julie Hanks
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Prioritizing mental and emotional health might seem pointless, but even small acts of self-care can make a big difference. Regardless of why you searched for the best self-care tips, you’ve found them. Start putting the following list to use and you’ll hopefully notice a positive change in your life.
Dr. Julie Hanks Radical Self-Care Tips
In a recent “Ask Me Anything” question on the Dr. Julie Hanks Instagram page, someone asked for my radical self-care tips. Below is a list of what I do to practice radical self-care for myself.
Schedule regular downtime. I try for 1 hour per day, 1 day per month, and one week per year. If your situation or schedule doesn’t allow for that, schedule the regular downtime you can fit in. The important part is being intentional with your downtime.
Exercise regularly. Go for a walk around the block, take a class at the gym, or follow along with a YouTube video. Moving your body is great for your mental and emotional well-being.
Schedule time with friends and family. I know everyone is busy and has different schedules, however, make this a priority.
Do things that you love and that bring joy. This could be dancing to music, playing music, singing, reading, sitting in the sunshine, good conversations, movies, etc.
Ponder, meditate, or pray. If you need some easy meditation and mindfulness exercises, this post on the Wasatch Family Therapy site may be helpful for you.
Get 9-10 hours of sleep per night. This is what is ideal for me. Find the ideal number for your body and aim for that amount of sleep.
Schedule weekly date nights. These can be done on any budget inside the home or out. The goal is to spend intentional time with your partner at least once per week.
Create a beautiful environment.
Do meaningful work. You do not have to switch careers to accomplish this goal. Volunteering doing something meaningful works, too.
Take care of your physical self. For me, I choose to get manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and use skin care products. You get to decide what taking care of your physical self means to you.
Try to make a positive difference for someone every day.
Don’t feel like you have to accomplish everything on this list every single day or week. The beauty of self-care is that you get to decide what is helpful for you. Some forms of self-care for me might not feel like self-care to you. Use this list as inspiration to create your own self-care routine.
Resources That May Be Helpful When Practicing Self-Care
If you regularly participate in self-care and feel that you need additional support, it may be time for coaching or therapy.
You can schedule coaching with me by clicking here. Schedule a therapy appointment with my team by filling out this form or calling or texting 801.944.4555. You do not have to do this alone.
